According to a new report from Pew Research, a nonpartisan nonprofit think tank based in Washington, DC, the American middle class has not only shrunk, but it has also lost 30 percent of the wealth it held a generation ago.
The report finds that in early 2015, 120.8 million adults could claim to be in the American middle class versus 70.3 million in lower-income and 51 million in upper-income households. While the number of Americans belonging to the middle class increased due to the natural progression that results from population growth, a bigger share of the population belonged to the middle class while holding a greater share of the total wealth. The study finds that the share of income held by middle-income families has plummeted to 43 percent in 2015 versus 6 percent of the wealth in 1971. The share of wealth held by lower income households remained stable during this time while the share of income held by upper income Americans has exploded to 49 percent of all total wealth in 2015 as opposed to the 29 percent share held in 1971.
The demographic and income data comes from the US Census Bureau’s “Current Population Survey” which serves as the basis of research on income and poverty issues.
Author: paul
On December 3, 2015, Congress passed H.R. 22, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST ACT) by overwhelming bipartisan votes of 83 to 16 and 359 to 65 in the Senate and House respectively. The legislation is the first long-term surface transportation reauthorization in a decade and provides funding and policy changes for our nation’s highways, mass transit and rail systems. This landmark legislation includes a number of SMART TD policy priorities, many of which are outlined below.
“I’m very pleased with the legislation overall compared to some of the original proposals. The legislation was modified in both houses and in the conference committee to correct many of the harmful issues facing our membership,” SMART TD President John Previsich said.
“Our National Legislative Director John Risch and his team, working with other unions and allies did a stellar job on a very complex 1300-page piece of legislation that was passed through a very complicated legislative process.
“In difficult economic and political times, an effective legislative department makes all the difference and we have one of the best in the business.”
“Considering the makeup of the Congress, overall we are pleased with the policy provisions in this legislation, and that the law covers five years of authorization,” said Risch. “However, we are disappointed that much of the funding came from non-user fees. Freight railroads alone fund their own track and infrastructure. Using general funding for highways puts railroads at a competitive disadvantage because trucks are not paying their fair share of costs for highway construction and maintenance.”
Provisions to protect transit members from assault
- Section 3022. Improved Public Transportation Safety Measures
- This much-needed section will better protect our transit members by requiring the Federal Transit Administration to promulgate regulations to protect public transportation operators from assault.
- The rulemaking will be required to consider the safety needs of drivers in different modes, including bus and light rail.
- This provision was a direct result of a joint lobbying effort by SMART TD, the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department (TTD), AFL-CIO, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU).
ECP brake mandate is maintained
- The legislation largely protects the May 2015 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) rule that requires the use of electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes on certain high-hazard flammable trains (HHFTs), which SMART TD strongly supports.
- While the legislation does require another study on ECP brakes, it also includes language supported by SMART TD that will ensure testing is done independently and objectively, and not by the railroads or other entities affected by the rule.
- Additionally, the legislation neither prohibits DOT from moving forward with the May 2015 rule while the study is in progress, nor does it require DOT to issue a new rule dependent on the study’s findings.
- The original Senate Commerce Committee language would have repealed the ECP rule and replaced it with a railroad-dominated study.
Inward-facing cameras cannot be used to retaliate against employees.
- Working with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D – Conn.), SMART TD secured a provision stating that any in-cab audio or image recording obtained by a railroad carrier under this section may not be used to retaliate against an employee. Rail Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Denham (R – Calif.) reinforced this provision by specifically mentioning it in a House floor speech.
- We are pleased the final bill removed a requirement for efficiency testing.
Removed harmful privatization language for transit projects
- Working with TTD and other transit unions (TWU and ATU), SMART TD helped strip a harmful privatization provision from the legislation. The provision would have been an unprecedented giveaway to the private sector by allowing certain public-private partnerships to move to the front of the line for grant awards simply because the project included private money, with no minimum threshold.
- This provision – if not changed – could have resulted in lost jobs, lower wages and diminished passenger rail and transit service.
Biased hair testing methods rejected
- SMART TD has strongly opposed the unfair and biased use of hair testing for drug tests.
- SMART TD strongly opposed previous versions of this legislation that would have allowed companies to immediately begin testing an employee’s hair for drugs.
- The final legislation would only allow companies to do so after experts at the Department of Health and Human Services have set guidelines for such testing.
Tank car safety standards
- The legislation makes substantial improvements in tank car standards by requiring that all new tank cars are equipped with one-half inch thermal blankets.
- All existing DOT-111 tank cars transporting flammable liquids are required to be upgraded to retrofit standards regardless of product shipped.
Alerters
- The legislation requires DOT to promulgate a rule requiring working alerters in the controlling locomotive of each commuter and intercity passenger train.
Signal Protection
- The legislation requires DOT to initiate a rulemaking for redundant signal protection for Maintenance of Way (MOW) workers.
PTC Grants
- The legislation provides $199 million to finance a competitive grant program for PTC implementation on commuter railroads.
Funding: Amtrak and Transit
- Transit programs will receive a 9 percent funding increase in Fiscal year 2016 over FY 2015 levels and 2 percent increases each year through 2020.
- Amtrak is funded through the appropriations process; however, this legislation increases authorized FY 2016 funding levels for Amtrak by $60 million.
U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez toured the $345 million wharf project at Naval Base Kitsap this week, which is being built primarily with local labor thanks to a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). After touring the facility, Perez and Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) met with the heads of a dozen local trades unions to learn more about what makes these agreements tick. Labor leaders report that the project has come in on time and under budget.
According to Representative Kilmer (D-Wa) “When the federal government’s going to spend a whole lot of money, making sure it’s actually using a local workforce for the project and making sure the benefits accrue to the local community is a really big deal.”
It was the first time the Department of Defense signed a PLA, one that was praised for hiring local workers who completed the work on time. .
In a joint bipartisan letter to President Obama, Representative Kilmer was joined by Representative David Joyce (R-OH) who called on the Administration to substantially increase the number of PLAs on federal projects. In the letter, Rep. Kilmer notes:
“Federal construction projects need skilled local workers on the job so they can stay on budget and on schedule. By using Project Labor Agreements we can ensure sites at places like Naval Base Kitsap are putting local people to work and paying them a good wage. It’s why I’m leading a bipartisan call for the White House to increase their use so we can better support quality jobs at our federal construction projects.”
A PLA is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement negotiated between a project’s owner and a labor organization that sets the basic terms and work conditions for the project. Although President Obama signed a 2009 Executive Order promoting the use of PLAs on Defense Department projects, the project at Kitsap is the only one that has come to fruition.
Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) Anthony Petru has been chosen as coordinator of the DLC Program. Petru replaces long-time DLC member and Coordinator Steve Young, who retired earlier this autumn.
Petru is a long-time DLC with years of experience in the rail industry. He graduated from University of California, Berkeley, and attended law school at the University of San Francisco. He joined the law firm of Hildebrand, McLeod & Nelson in 1980. Petru is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association and the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys.
“We appreciate Anthony’s willingness to serve as coordinator and look forward to working with him in his new position,” said Transportation Division President John Previsich.
Meanwhile, Previsich lauded Young’s service to our membership. “Steve’s contribution to the DLC program while serving as coordinator cannot be overstated, nor can his many other contributions to the union overall. Steve has been of great service to this union for over 40 years, beginning with holding office at the local and general committee level through his continued affiliation during his professional career. His contribution to the education and training of our members through his presentations at our regional meetings is legendary. Steve’s presence and leadership will be missed.”
Members can reach Petru by calling (800) 447-7500, visiting his website www.hmnlaw.com or by visiting the SMART TD Designated Legal Counsel pages.
The GEICO Bassmaster Classic is the Super Bowl of competitive bass fishing, and now, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance members have a chance to be part of the memorable experience, cheering alongside more than a hundred thousand fellow bass fishing fanatics as pro anglers weigh their catch in hopes of making history. Carhartt, a proud national partner of the USA, is inviting one USA member and a friend on an all-expense-paid trip to the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 4-6.
The lucky USA winner and guest will receive VIP passes to Classic events and activities, roundtrip airfare, lodging, ground transportation, a Carhartt camouflage jacket and $1,000 in spending money – a package worth approximately $3,500! Plus, 25 additional USA members will win a Carhartt’s camo Active Jac in Realtree Xtra®.
There is no cost to entry, and all active USA members age 18 and older can enter to win the sweepstakes by January 15, 2016. If you’re not a USA member, don’t worry…SMART members can join the USA at no cost at UnionSportsmen.org and qualify to win.
Enter the contest at UnionSportsmen.org/carharttclassic.
Brothers Rick Werner and Chris Griffey were both unanimously elected to the SMART General Executive Council starting November 1, 2015. They replace Bruce Word (Local 104 – Northern California) and Norm Whiteman (Local 68 – Dallas, TX) who both retired in late summer after long and distinguished careers representing members in the sheet metal industry.
Brother Werner has been in the sheet metal industry since his time as an applicant worker in 1984. He indentured into the Sheet Metal Local 104 apprenticeship program in the spring of 1985 and completed his service in January 1990. He became a Business Representative on January 1, 2000 and assumed his present position of President/Business Manager in 2015.
During his long sheet metal career, Brother Werner served as trustee and executive board member for his home local before becoming a Business Representative in 2000. In May of 2006 he became the Assistant to Local 104 President/Business Manager Bruce Word and served as Local 104 District 1 (San Francisco/Bay Area) Assistant Business Manager.
This past August, he took over as President/Business Manager of Local 104 upon the retirement of Bruce Word and currently serves as President of the Sheet Metal Western States Council.
Brother Griffey began his career in sheet metal after graduating from Jefferson County High School in Danbridge, Tennessee. He entered into the Local 5 (Eastern TN/North Carolina) apprenticeship program in 1993. After serving a four year apprenticeship, he worked in the sheet metal industry as a journeyman, foreman, general foreman, and job steward for a number of signatory companies.
In addition to the above, Brother Griffey served on the Local 5 Executive Board from 2002-2005 and as an organizer and apprentice instructor until 2008 when he became President/Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer of his home local.
Robert “Bobby” Bonds passed from this life October 29, 2015 at the age of 61. Bobby is survived by his wife, Ronna, and four (4) children, Max, Madalyn, Danielle and Andrew, his mother Marie and brother Richard.
Bobby was employed by Amtrak for nearly 4 decades. Most of his long career was spent as the Director of Operation Redblock, where he committed himself to a life of service to his fellow union members and keeping our brothers and sisters in Labor strong.
Bobby committed his life to helping others, often when they were at the lowest moments of their lives. Most of us are happy if we change or improve one life. Bobby changed the world for the better and improved the lives of all who knew him. But Bobby didn’t stop there, while he was busy giving compassion and guidance, he also challenged us to do more, be better and reach higher. When you talked to Bobby, you knew that you were the focus of all his attention and in that moment nothing was more important.
But Bobby also knew that none of his efforts would have been possible if not for his loving family, who sacrificed so much when they allowed him to be the generous man that he was. We share in their grief, and offer them our thoughts and prayers.
In remembrance and honor of Bobby’s contribution to so many, we take this opportunity to paraphrase what many have to say about him:
To have known Bobby is to know that his outlook on life was truly positive, and never without possibilities. He truly believed that it is possible to manage our way through all our challenges, no matter how difficult they may seem.
Bobby was a strong and loyal advocate to the most vulnerable and disenfranchised among us… He has given strong meaning to real compassion and leadership…
He truly believed in the concept of peer involvement to prevent employee use of alcohol and/or drugs while on duty or subject to call. Bobby also challenged and educated everyone he met to aspire to that same concept.
Bobby was a man of character. His word was his bond, which he never broke. He was a model of ability and competency.
He was determined, dedicated, compassionate, tireless, a consistent and credible leader, and above all else, a trustworthy friend.
Bobby possessed integrity and a sincerity that was unyielding and infectious.
He was a decisive, analytical, change-agent, tenacious, caring, considerate, and most importantly, someone with a huge heart. His style of transformational leadership will serve to engage, challenge and inspire the community.
Bobby’s ability of bringing people together even in the most adversarial conditions is unprecedented. He was a man of principle, and commitment.
It was a gift to have met, known and worked with Bobby, but we should not forget the richest gift he gave us is his message of hope and perseverance, and that we are sustained when we step in and help each other whenever there is a need. Throughout his life, Bobby saved and changed 10,000 other lives. Those people touched and inspired by Bobby then went on to help others. In using that math, we can confidently tell you that Bobby changed and saved millions of lives, and that story continues through us…
Robert Keeley
SMART TD
General Chairman, Yardmasters
The Building Trades have scheduled events at local apprenticeship and training centers across the United States in order to increase the visibility and value given to Union apprenticeship education and training programs.
Events will take place at locations featuring most of the trades, including sheet metal locals in Los Angeles, Cleveland and Boston. The National Building Trades has also produced a new video, highlighting these open house events which is available via this YouTube link.
These events, suring the week of November 2-8 are scheduled to coincide with inaugural National Apprenticeship Week, designated by the U.S. Department of Labor and President Barack Obama. The week is intended for employers, students and economic development leaders to learn about and promote the opportunities available through apprenticeship programs in the United States. It is modeled after a similar program initiated in Great Britain.
At a White House worker summit earlier this month President Barack Obama urged participants and other worker advocates to “think creatively” about how they might use mobile apps and the Internet.
“Technology actually can help,” Obama said, “in the same ways that in the past sometimes it’s hindered.” The president made specific mention of CoWorker.org which enables workers to start petitions and campaigns around workplace issues. Other online platforms mentioned include Wearedynamo.org, a crowd-sourced website for workplace complaints and Contratados.org, a Spanish-language platform that allows migrant workers to rate their experiences with recruiters and employers.
The decline in union density is one factor that is driving growth in this new form of app technology another is the effect of new workplace dynamics in which employers substitute subcontracting and franchising in place of direct employment.
Label it, Scan it, Report it.
The new union label is here.
Find out more at LabelItScanItReportIt.com
Click the image below to view the video.
