Episode Details

Directed by the Trump administration, the US Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed changes to apprenticeship programs that could spell disaster for union workers in the building trades, giving businesses  the ability to create their own apprenticeship programs (IRAPs), underpay workers, and undercut unions. We recorded this PSA to let listeners know what is going on, why it's bad, and what you can do about it. The period to file a public comment in opposition to these proposed changes ends this Monday, August 26: follow the links below to tell the DOL to keep IRAPs out of construction. 

Links for filing public comments...

• Federal Register - Apprenticeship Programs, Labor Standards for Registration, Amendment of Regulations 
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Public Comment Form (Friends/Family) 

Additional links/info below...

• Michael Prebil & Lul Tesfai, New America, "In Proposed Apprenticeship Amendment, Congress Might Join DOL in Putting the Cart before the Horse"
• Michigan Building & Construction Trades Council - Tell the DOL: Hands off building trades apprenticeships
• NW Labor Press, "Building Trades Sounds Alarm on DOL Apprenticeship Proposal"
• Ian Kullgren, Politico, "Construction Workers Prepare to Battle Former Ally Trump"

Featured Music (all songs sourced from the Free Music Archive: freemusicarchive.org)

• Lobo Loco, "Malte Junior - Hall"