FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | April 9, 2019
Delaware State Senate Majority Caucus
Contact: Scott Goss (302) 744-4180, or
Dylan McDowell (302) 744-4282
Delaware State Senate Majority Caucus
Contact: Scott Goss (302) 744-4180, or
Dylan McDowell (302) 744-4282
Pair of labor bills pass Delaware Senate
DOVER – The state Senate passed a pair of labor bills on Tuesday that supporters say will bolster collective bargaining rights for public workers and improve access to apprenticeships for private employees.
Prime sponsor Sen. Jack Walsh, D-Stanton,pointed to the benefits of strong unions in the First State.
“Empowering unions is the easiest and most efficient way to empower Delaware workers,” he said. “With these two bills, we are doing two important things: leveling the playing field for public sector unions and expanding access to apprenticeships. Ultimately, these are minor changes overall but they can make big differences for public sector and entry level trade workers.”
Senate Substitue 1 for Senate Bill 8, which passed the Senate by a vote of 19-1 on Tuesday, with one Senator absent (roll call here), would bring public employee labor organizations in line with other unions and professional associations by allowing them to collectively bargain for compensation. All changes in compensation would still require approval from the General Assembly.
Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 48 tackles training for workers employed by contractors and subcontractors while working on public projects. The provisions in the bill require that bidders for public works contracts above a minimum value include approved training programs for journeyman and apprentice levels. Federal highway projects would be excluded from the requirement.
Sen. Walsh stressed the importance of training for blue-collar workers in the modern economy. “As demands change and our workers do their best to keep up with the evolving economy, training programs will be far more than a luxury, they’ll be a necessity,” he said. “These programs help ensure that our workforce remains ready to take on any public project, especially the many infrastructure upgrades that we will need to undertake in the near future. SS 1 for SB 48 makes sure that those programs and skills training opportunities – which working class Delawareans have relied on for decades – remain available.
Both bills now head to the House, where they will be assigned to committee.
Prime sponsor Sen. Jack Walsh, D-Stanton,pointed to the benefits of strong unions in the First State.
“Empowering unions is the easiest and most efficient way to empower Delaware workers,” he said. “With these two bills, we are doing two important things: leveling the playing field for public sector unions and expanding access to apprenticeships. Ultimately, these are minor changes overall but they can make big differences for public sector and entry level trade workers.”
Senate Substitue 1 for Senate Bill 8, which passed the Senate by a vote of 19-1 on Tuesday, with one Senator absent (roll call here), would bring public employee labor organizations in line with other unions and professional associations by allowing them to collectively bargain for compensation. All changes in compensation would still require approval from the General Assembly.
Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 48 tackles training for workers employed by contractors and subcontractors while working on public projects. The provisions in the bill require that bidders for public works contracts above a minimum value include approved training programs for journeyman and apprentice levels. Federal highway projects would be excluded from the requirement.
Sen. Walsh stressed the importance of training for blue-collar workers in the modern economy. “As demands change and our workers do their best to keep up with the evolving economy, training programs will be far more than a luxury, they’ll be a necessity,” he said. “These programs help ensure that our workforce remains ready to take on any public project, especially the many infrastructure upgrades that we will need to undertake in the near future. SS 1 for SB 48 makes sure that those programs and skills training opportunities – which working class Delawareans have relied on for decades – remain available.
Both bills now head to the House, where they will be assigned to committee.
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- Press Contacts
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
[email protected]
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
[email protected]