We’ve had a long list of health and safety wins to report in recent years: historic investment in infrastructure, federally mandated project labor agreements, strengthened Davis-Bacon standards, increased funding for apprenticeship programs and a proposed federal heat standard. While the work of the Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America (LHSFNA) isn’t necessarily political, all of this progress required working with lawmakers—on both sides of the aisle—to advocate for policies that protect our LIUNA Brothers and Sisters and advance the goals of LIUNA’s signatory partners.
Ensuring that worker safety remains on the political agenda isn’t always easy. The last several months have brought new challenges on that front, including crippling budget cuts and layoffs at agencies like NIOSH that perform crucial health and safety work. At the LHSFNA, we support regulation and regulatory agencies that serve the needs of workers across North America. Regulatory agencies like OSHA and those under the Department of Health and Human Services umbrella set the standard for safe working conditions and our public health system. A threat to those agencies is a threat to the safety and health of LIUNA members.
For over 35 years, part of our mission has been to bring LIUNA members certainty that they’ll have a safe workplace and an employer with all the necessary tools to protect their health. Fund staff are well-versed in working with decisionmakers on both sides to advocate for LIUNA members and their families.
Now more than ever, our staff are working to stay abreast of a fast-moving regulatory landscape that sees policy shifts on an almost daily basis. We understand the uncertainty this can create, but be assured that we continue to be your steadfast advocates on issues of both national and local importance. In this issue of Lifelines, you’ll find a variety of articles and updates on current legislation that could impact Laborers and their families, as well as how we plan to address these challenges.
Though uncertainty seems to be everywhere, know that being a part of the LIUNA family means having advocates you can count on. At the LHSFNA, we’ll continue to provide the resources, guidance and expertise to help LIUNA’s District Councils, Local Unions, health and welfare funds, members and signatory contractors fight for a better future for our LIUNA Brothers and Sisters.
