DeForest, WI –State Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) recently provided public comments to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission opposing the proposed natural gas facility in Oak Creek. This is consistent with a long line of other private construction or energy infrastructure proposals that he has opposed that have or will put LIUNA members and other union tradespeople to work.
“While Senator Larson has long stated that he is a defender of unions, the fact of the matter is that you can’t support unions if you oppose many of the projects that put our members to work,” said Kent Miller, President/Business Manager of the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council.
“Senator Larson’s public comment to the PSC states that he would prefer that all new energy infrastructure that is constructed needs to be renewables, and while we agree that any infrastructure project should be done with union labor and LIUNA members are helping lead the way to build utility scale solar and wind projects throughout Wisconsin, the demand for energy exceeds the current supply, and we need natural gas to serve as a bridge to help power our homes and businesses.”
“LIUNA Wisconsin members and other union building trade members work on one construction project after another to make a career, and it is disappointing when elected officials are opposing efforts to create more opportunities for people to join our union and ensure that our current members have jobs.”
“In order to grow our economy, we can’t have politicians from either party picking winners or losers for projects that create family-supporting union careers and are a pathway to the middle class,” concluded Miller.
The Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council is an affiliation of five Laborer local unions, representing over 9,200 skilled construction craft laborers throughout Wisconsin. The Laborers are the most diverse trade in the construction industry, servicing employers in transportation infrastructure, building, sewer and water, utility distribution, demolition, asbestos removal, and related sectors.
