The International Association of Bridge Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers welcomes the U.S. Senate’s deliberations on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This bill includes many provisions that are important to the nearly 128,000 construction and fabrication workers who form our union.

We are glad to see a broad-based set of energy investments in the current version of the bill. A diverse approach to cleaning our energy system that incorporates renewables, nuclear, and advanced fossil fuels is the right way to create union jobs and fight climate change. Our top priority is ensuring the Davis Bacon prevailing wage and registered apprenticeship utilization standards remain attached to the production tax credits and other energy investments called for throughout this piece of legislation.

Regardless of their position on final passage of this legislation, we urge our allies in both parties to oppose any attempt to strip Davis Bacon and registered apprenticeship standards from any provision. All government construction funding should create good-paying jobs with training, benefits and advancement opportunities for working people in all of our communities. These labor standards are the tool to do it. A “no” vote on amendments to remove these standards is a vote to protect good ironworker jobs.

IW Statement on Inflation Reduction Act