
p-Ed: Pre-apprenticeships: Building stronger pathways for Newark’s workforce
Posted OnJune 18, 2025 byThe Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters is committed to supporting programs that open the door to careers in the trades. Pre-apprenticeship training is an effective way to do that, especially in cities like Newark, where many residents are overlooked despite their potential and ability to work. The demand for skilled tradespeople continues to grow, especially…Read More…

PLA mandate to stay, with exemptions: OMB
Posted OnJune 16, 2025 byThe Trump administration said Thursday that it supports the use of project labor agreements on federal construction projects when they are “practicable and cost effective.” The Trump administration has indicated it will not rescind a Biden-era rule mandating the use of project labor agreements on large publicly funded jobs. After months of court cases and federal agencies announcing deviations…Read More…

Senate Labor and Industry Committee Unanimously Passes Legislation to Protect Construction Workers from Misclassification
Posted OnJune 12, 2025 byARRISBURG, PA − June 10, 2025 − The Senate Labor and Industry Committee today unanimously passed Senate Bill 72, legislation that strengthens protections for construction workers who are misclassified as independent contractors. The bill, sponsored by Senators Kane, Tartaglione, L. Williams, and Robinson, makes significant improvements to Act 72 of 2010, the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act. “Spending over four…Read More…

Bill to fight construction worker exploitation passes PA House
Posted OnMay 30, 2025 byEd Gruver H.B. 721 aims to curb misclassification in construction jobs Bill strengthens penalties and expands legal protections for workers Misclassification costs PA millions in lost taxes and benefits yearly Legislation to crack down on the exploitation of construction workers through misclassification has passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, State Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-Lackawanna, announced. Donahue’s House Bill 721 would strengthen and expand the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act, originally enacted to combat the illegal practice of classifying employees as independent contractors to avoid…Read More…

Gateway adds new vendors, service work to skilled trades, career fair
Posted OnMay 16, 2025 byLeslie Savisky TribLiveThu, May 15, 2025 • 12:00 AM Nearly 40 technical schools, local unions, college representatives and vendors gathered at Gateway High School on May 7 for the district’s fifth annual Skilled Trades and Career Fair. “The setup is similar to the College Fair held during the first semester,” school counselor Kurt Martin said. “The…Read More…

John Marshall High School Holds First Carpenters Union Signing Day
Posted OnMay 12, 2025 byGLEN DALE — Three John Marshall High School seniors signed not to play a sport after graduation, but to continue their carpentry education by joining the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. John Marshall CTE students Joseph Rogers, Jude Kesner-Rankin and Landen Nelson were joined by…Read More…

House begins moving bill to crack down on companies
Posted OnMay 6, 2025 byThe House Labor and Industry Committee approved legislation recently to strengthen a 2010 state law protecting construction workers from being misclassified as independent contractors. The Democratic-controlled panel approved House Bill 721 by a 14-12 party-line vote with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. HB721 sponsored by Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-Lackawanna, gives the state attorney general…Read More…

Debate over proposed $600 million North Side project continues at PPS public hearing
Posted OnMay 1, 2025 byA group of union workers Monday expressed support for the Esplanade project, a move that was met with opposition from several Manchester residents who for months have been calling for community meetings and more information about the proposal. Mixed reactions to the $600 million plan to turn a North Side industrial site into a riverfront…Read More…