Labor

The United States has long possessed the best, brightest and most innovative workforce in the world. To harness this invaluable resource, we must ensure that workers have the training, tools and resources they need to compete in a global economy. We also need to make certain that American workers receive the benefits they have earned, particularly in the way of retirement and access to quality, affordable healthcare. To do this, we must modernize our 20th century labor regulations to fit the needs of a 21st century workforce. I have been proud to support policies and programs that would do just that by empowering and protecting American workers and the businesses they drive.

Job Corps

Job Corps is the nation’s premier workforce training program for economically disadvantaged youth. Students can receive training for more than 100 trades including building computer networks or repairing computers; filling prescriptions for eyeglasses or pharmaceuticals; installing, servicing and repairing air conditioning units and refrigeration systems; and operating and repairing heavy equipment. Job Corps trains nearly 70,000 students each year in 122 centers established throughout the United States. 

The First Congressional District is home to two Job Corps centers, the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Academy in Morgantown and the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center in Greenville.
I have been a long-time advocate of the Job Corps program and helped found the Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus. The mission of the caucus is to heighten the awareness and appreciation for Job Corps among policymakers, Administration decision-makers and the broader public.

I am proud to support this organization which provides young Americans with the tools and training they need to succeed in today’s job market.

Pension Reform

It is critical that America’s retirees are provided with secure, sufficient pension plans. In 2006, both parties in Congress and President Bush forged the first comprehensive overhaul of worker pension laws in more than a generation. The Pension Protection Act of 2006, which I was proud to support, made needed reforms to our pension laws and helps ensure that employers adequately fund employee pension plans. Below are some highlights of the legislation. 

• Requires employers to make sufficient contributions to pension plans to cover 100 percent of pension liabilities and erase pension funding shortfalls over seven years;
• Strengthens disclosure requirements to give workers and retirees more information about the status of their pension plan;
• Restricts “golden parachute” executive compensation arrangements while the retirement security of rank-and-file workers remains at risk;
• Provides workers access to face-to-face, personally-tailored professional investment advice; and
• Solidifies employer contributions to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to shield taxpayers from a possible multi-billion dollar bailout of underfunded employer pension plans.

The Pension Protection Act was supported by a broad coalition of labor and business groups, including the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), Laborers International Union of North America, the Affiliated Unions of the Building and Construction Trades Department (AFL-CIO), the Associated General Contractors of America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

I believe strongly that individuals should receive equal pay for equal work. Race, gender, religion and ethnicity should never play a role in determining one’s salary for a job. What’s more, the law should protect individuals from such discrimination and allow recourse for restitution.

For this reason, I was pleased to support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This legislation overturned the Supreme Court decision Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, which ruled that workers suing for pay restitution had to do so within 180 days of the first discriminatory paycheck. The bill, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 29, 2009, allows workers to file claims for pay discrimination once they become aware of it, as opposed to within some artificially established timeframe.  I was honored to be the President’s guest at the White House for the signing of this bill into law.

Employee Free Choice Act

I firmly believe that America's workers deserve a decent standard of living, affordable health insurance and a safe environment in which to work.  Since coming to Congress, I have been proud to support policies and programs that would do just that by empowering and protecting American workers and the businesses that employ them. Advocates for the Employee Free Choice Act believe it will improve workers’ conditions by making it easier for them to join labor unions, while opponents fear that this legislation will limit workers’ democratic right to a private ballot election during union organizing activities.  As a result, the deeply divided views on this proposal appear to make it unlikely that a vote will be held on the legislation in the foreseeable future.