From The Ironworker Magazine —

This spring, the only things popping up faster than the crocuses were projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). lronworkers were front and center for the first big announcement of the year, money to replace the crumbling Brent Spence Bridge that connects Ohio and Kentucky.

Brent Spence Bridge, at last

Local 44 Business Manager Dave Baker reports:

“For over 25 years, we’ve needed a new bridge between Kentucky and Ohio, and presidents from Clinton to Trump all talked about passing an infrastructure bill to fund it. During that time, several bridges actually collapsed and still, we saw no movement on an infrastructure bill. Finally, the last Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and President Biden signed it.

“On January 4, 2023, we kicked off the new year with a visit by President Biden to the city of Covington, Kentucky. It was amazing to watch as members from both parties turned out to celebrate the $1.6-billion grant awarded to build the Brent Spence Bridge. In the middle of it were the members of Iron Workers Local 44 (Cincinnati).

“One of our members introduced President Biden. Ironworker Saria Gwin-Maye did an amazing job representing us on the stage that day. Saria has been a member since 1993 and has had quite a career at Local 44. Along with Saria were 10 apprentices and another 10 journeymen at the event.

“This project will be ongoing for the next eight years. This new bridge will have another 26 smaller bridges needed to fill the entire scope of the project. Along with it, we will see added growth to our tri-state area and growth in union membership.

“Jim Hyden (executive secretary of the Greater Cincinnati Building and Construction Trades Council) and I got to meet the president. Members from both parties were there and all they did was talk about how they couldn’t wait to see the union ironworkers out there building that new bridge. The words from President Biden were the best though. As I reached to shake his hand, he pulled me in and said, ‘We got that bridge, and the union members will be the ones to build that bridge. These jobs will be union jobs.’

“I always knew President Biden was a strong believer in the union. I’ve heard him use the word union so many times in his speeches. I’ve watched him appoint Marty Walsh as the U.S. Secretary of Labor. I watched as he had countless events with tradespeople all over the country. He even invited us to attend the signing of the infrastructure bill at the White House. However, that day I felt it in my heart from those words he spoke to me.’’

New London, Conn. bridge

Brent Spence was the first of many announcements this spring. Ironworkers from Local 15 (Hartford, Conn.) joined Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at a New London bridge event.

“Under President Biden’s leadership, the investments we’re making in infrastructure are now creating a new generation of good union jobs; jobs that pay enough to support a family, with the benefits and collective bargaining protections that workers ought to have,” said Buttigieg. “At the Department of Transportation, we’re doing our part to make sure that the projects we fund will continue to support these good-paying jobs.

“Just recently, for instance, I was proud to stand with union members as we announced $158 million to fix the Goldstar Memorial Bridge in Connecticut: an effort that includes a project labor agreement to ensure that those jobs go to union workers. The skills of our union workforce will help ensure that important projects are delivered well while providing livelihoods for families across America.”

The White House Task Force on Organizing directed Buttigieg’s department to ensure its infrastructure programs help organizing. If states work with unions on the labor standards of their projects, they’re more likely to win these infrastructure grants.

The administration is on our side. But state governors hold the key to whether these projects go union. We need to win in state politics to win the work.

At the Brent Spence Bridge, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, two Republicans, joined President Joe Biden, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, three Democrats. They all felt that political differences shouldn’t stand in the way of getting the job done.

Democrats and Republicans worked together to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — but Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and former President Donald Trump came hard at the Republicans who voted with us. Republicans won the House of Representatives last election and McCarthy’s made it clear he’s coming after the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

We’re ready for the fight. Our union has pro-Davis Bacon Republicans who will vote with us to defend infrastructure. And as long as Joe Biden is in the White House, the strong labor infrastructure programs will keep flowing.

CAPTION of featured image at top: Ironworker Saria Gwin-Maye from Local 44 (Cincinnati) introduced President Joe Biden Jan. 4, 2023, at the announcement of the $1.6 billion grant to build the Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River.

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