LIUNA Apprenticeship Programs Prevail

Activism of Tens of Thousands of Members Makes a Difference

Washington, D.C. (March 11, 2020) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today on the U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule on apprenticeships:

Union registered apprenticeship programs are the gold standard in the construction industry and the DOL’s final rule on IRAPs was a validation of that fact. This decision will ensure that LIUNA and the building trades first-class, cutting edge apprenticeship programs will continue to be the construction industry standard bearer.

This victory would not have happened without the extraordinary activism of LIUNA members in defense of our training and apprenticeship programs. The more than 88,000 comments submitted by our members is a testament to LIUNA’s solidarity, strength, and activism.

LIUNA thanks those in the Administration who supported us and we are grateful for the many Members of Congress, from both sides of the aisle, who stood with us and weighed in with the Department of Labor to protect LIUNA apprenticeship programs. We will not forget their efforts.

We won this battle and we will be ready for whatever comes next. Whether it’s an attack on our wages, pensions, or our right to collectively bargain, LIUNA will remain vigilant.