Blog Archives
Keystone Senate Vote March 22nd, 2013
Friday night there was an important vote in the US Senate on the Keystone Pipeline. The pro-Keystone amendment would not have changed the process at all, it was simply an opportunity for Senators to get on the record either supporting or opposing the Keystone Pipeline. Local 49 spoke to representatives from both MN Senator Klobuchar and Franken’s offices and asked them to support this pro-Keystone amendment. While both MN Senators are with us on most issues, they were not with us on this one. It is important that members know when our friends stand with us, and when they don’t. And in this case, Senator Franken and Senator Klobuchar voted against our jobs.
Local 49 will continue to provide you with unbiased, member driven information on the critical issues related to job creation. We will not spin for politicians; we will always tell you the truth. And the truth is: on this vote covering the Keystone XL pipeline some of our friends didn’t stand with us.
On a positive note: The entire Senate delegation from the Dakotas voted YES in support of Keystone. We thank Senator Heitkamp (D-ND), Senator Hoeven (R-ND), Senator Johnson (D-SD), and Senator Thune (R-SD) for their support of good paying union pipeline jobs.
The intent of the amendment was to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to promote investment and job growth in United States manufacturing, oil and gas production, and refining sectors through the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Vote Counts:
YEAs
62
NAYs
37
Not Voting
1
Grouped By Vote Position, ordered alphabetically: Read the rest of this entry
Operating Engineers Local 49 Endorses Republican incumbent Congressman Cravaack in Minnesota’s 8th District
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 49 Announces Endorsement in MN 8th Congressional District
Earlier this week members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 gathered in Duluth to screen candidates for Congress in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. This screening was open to all Local 49 members that lived in the 8th District, and was widely advertised on our website and distributed via email. Members came from across the 8th District to participate.
After hearing from all 3 candidates running in the Democratic Primary, and Congressman Cravaack, we had what turned out to be a very difficult conversation about who we should stand with in this election. The conversation centered around jobs, our union, and the ability of our members to earn a good living. These are the core issues that bind us together as a group, and we decided that this should drive our endorsement.
The members held a secret ballot vote the night of screening Read the rest of this entry
Canada pleased by pipeline progress
TransCanada’s proposed changes draw praise
There’s momentum building in support of the new route for the Keystone XL Pipeline, as the editorial yesterday in Canada’s “Globe and Mail” highlights.
Approval was delayed when President Obama refused to be pressed into signing off on the project when Republicans tried to force his hand, noting that to do so before final decisions were made about the route would likely open up lawsuits that would possibly further delay the construction.
Meanwhile, TransCanada has quietly pressed ahead with plans to build “to the border” (without securing the politically volatile crossing permit) at the same time as they’ve been working with Nebraska to find a viable alternative route that protects the Sand Hills region of Ogallala aquifer. Click on the map to the right if you want a better view of the area in question. Read the rest of this entry
President Obama’s Directive to Expedite Portion of Keystone XL Pipeline
March 22, 2012
Contact: Jay Lederer (202) 778-2626
jlederer@iuoe.org
Statement by
International Union of Operating Engineers General President James T. Callahan
on
President Obama’s Directive to Expedite Portion of
Keystone XL Pipeline
President Obama’s announcement today that he will expedite approval for a portion of the Keystone XL pipeline is an important, albeit long overdue step towards upgrading our country’s pipeline infrastructure. In addition, it will create the kind of high-paying, skilled jobs that are so vital to our economy. The Operating Engineers are hopeful that today’s action by President Obama will quickly translate into real work Read the rest of this entry
Obama Administration’s Decision to Deny the Keystone XL Pipeline Permit
January 18, 2012
Contact: Jay Lederer (202) 778-2626 jlederer@iuoe.org
Statement by
International Union of Operating Engineers General President James T. Callahan
on
Obama Administration’s Decision to Deny
the Keystone XL Pipeline Permit
Today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of State to withhold approval of the Keystone XL pipeline is a blow to America’s construction workers. As the sector hardest hit by the recession and one that still grapples with an unemployment rate of 16%, this project could have been a lifeline to thousands of unemployed Operating Engineers.
The IUOE is deeply disappointed in the Administration’s decision. We will continue to work with our partners in labor and the industry to bring vital energy projects online and to create the kind of high-paying, skilled jobs that are so vital to our economy, our members and their families.
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The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) represents more than 400,000 members in 123 local unions across the U.S. and Canada, including operating engineers who work as heavy equipment operators, mechanics, surveyors in the construction industry; stationary engineers in building and industrial maintenance; nurses and other health care workers; and public employees.
Jobs Can’t Wait, Keystone XL edition.
The lies being spread about Keystone XL reveal how desperate opponents are to confuse the public
Minnesota Laborers continue to fight for the Keystone XL Pipeline and the 20,000 direct and 120,000 indirect jobs it will bring to our members and our region. The Department of State is set to formally reject the Keystone XL Pipeline project application today. This decision was the dominant topic in today’s earlier White House press briefing.
Public scorn for U.S. House GOP posturing leads to last minute tax deal
Boehner said the Senate tax-cut bill won’t pass – public outcry results in House GOP retreat
Thursday media coverage of the payroll tax cut extension coverage was at a fever pitch—even outlets that usually criticize Obama Administration rhetoric, goals, vision, and economic policy were calling out the partisan posturing from the House GOP caucus.
Read the rest of this entry
