MARK H. AYERS, President
SEAN McGARVEY, Secretary-Treasurer
MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN, 1st Vice President
JOHN J. FLYNN, 2nd Vice President
DANA A. BRIGHAM, 3rd Vice President
EDWIN D. HILL, 4th Vice President
JOSEPH J. HUNT, 5th Vice President
JAMES A. GROGAN, 6th Vice President
JAMES A. WILLIAMS, 7th Vice President
NEWTON B. JONES, 8th Vice President
WILLIAM P. HITE, 9th Vice President
KINSEY M. ROBINSON, 10th Vice President
PATRICK D. FINLEY, 11th Vice President
JAMES P. HOFFA, 12th Vice President
TERENCE M. O’SULLIVAN, 13th Vice President
Building and Construction Trades Department
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR—CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS
815 SIXTEENTH ST., N.W., SUITE 600 • WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006-4104
(202) 347-1461 www.BCTD.org FAX (202) 628-0724
REMARKS
Mark H. Ayers
President
Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO
To
American Nuclear Society Winter Meeting
November 16, 2009
Good Morning.
I am very excited to be here this morning as the General Co-Chair of the American Nuclear Energy Society’s 2009 Winter Meeting and Nuclear Technology Expo.
And my excitement derives from the fact that the stars are starting to align for America’s nuclear energy industry.
The prospects for growth are increasingly bright.
But, it hasn’t always been that way.
Five years ago, the future of the nuclear industry looked far from bright. In fact it was quite dismal. Oil and gas prices were low…and the issue of climate change had not yet penetrated the general consciousness of the American culture.
Today, as well all know, the ground beneath us has shifted.Oil and gas prices are on an unpredictable roller coaster. And our reliance upon foreign sources of energy – particularly oil – is the source of continuing consternation among elected officials and the general public.
And perhaps most importantly, the issue of global climate change…is forcing lawmakers and businesses to look for new, safe, cleaner forms of domestic energy. America has lost its stomach for procrastination, especially since the jury is in on climate change. All of these factors point to favorable conditions for the revitalization of the nuclear power industry.
And I am here to tell you that America’s Building Trades Unions are putting our money, resources and energy to work…in order to ensure that our domestic nuclear industry has a radiant future – no pun intended.
First of all, the industry has re-positioned itself as vital and competent…and because of its increased emphasis upon quality and safety standards…which our unions helped to nurture…a culture of safety – for workers and for the public – is deeply woven into the fabric of the industry.
Additionally…nuclear power is now acquiring the “green” stamp of approval as a reliable source of clean, renewable energy. One that is much more than a band aid approach with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
New “renewables" – such as solar, wind, and geothermal power……while important to a diverse energy portfolio…are not yet able to produce affordable base-load electricity.
Nuclear electricity generation now has a sound economic foundation.
And finally, with the accelerating scientific and technological advances relating to the “nuclear waste problem”…we are clearly moving closer to the point where this industry can, without equivocation…convince lawmakers, regulators and the public that safe solutions for nuclear waste do exist.
It’s an exciting time for the nuclear industry……and America’s Building Trades Unions are committed to furthering its revitalization and growth.
We are committed because we believe that it is the right thing to do for our nation…as well as for the economic opportunity it will provide to the skilled professionals who comprise our unions.
We understand that the construction of a next generation nuclear facility is a costly and complex undertaking. It leaves no margin for error and requires the skills of our members…who just happen to be the safest, most highly trained and productive workforce in the world.
And we are very excited about the opportunity to demonstrate once again…the value that we can, and will, bring to each and every one of these projects.
Because for those of you that may not be familiar with America’s Building Trades Unions…you should pay close attention…not only because we are the closest allies the nuclear industry has…but because we have embarked upon an effort to completely re-shape and re-position the union construction industry…to one that is premised upon customer service and value.
In short, we are doing whatever it takes to ensure that our unions become trusted, value-added partners with our contractors and owners.
For example, we have reached an unprecedented agreement with the North American Contractors Association…which is also endorsed by the Nuclear Industry Institute.
This new agreement, called the Nuclear Construction Agreement…contains many provisions explicitly designed for this emerging industry. It is applicable in the Southern States, where most new nuclear plants will be built.
First, we have agreed to the establishment of multi-craft training centers that would be located near or on a new site. These centers would exist to quickly address the possible need for task-specific training for semi-skilled workers that will be needed if a full scale national build out occurs.
Secondly, we will rearrange traditional apprenticeship parameters so that our apprentices arrive on the job with productive skills on their very first day.
And we are committed to developing special training partnerships with vendors and suppliers…in order to certify all workers on the installation of their components.
Additionally, we are proposing the development of innovative programs to train a local workforce…for in-house careers in the nuclear industry after the construction is completed.
I should point out that the Building Trades are construction workers and we do not seek to represent in plant workers…but we do recognize the baby boomer syndrome that owners are faced with because we are facing it ourselves.
These are just part of the 21st Century value proposition we are prepared to deliver.
Each and every one of these proposals…and others too numerous to mention today…are indicative of the new mindset and culture of America’s Building Trades Unions…where everything we do…is designed to more effectively meet the construction, maintenance and operations needs of our industry partners.
As President of the Building and Construction Trades…I have made it our organizational mission to work closely with our contractors and owners…and to constantly seek new ways of producing better results for each of us.
The resurrection of the American nuclear energy industry will allow us to further those objectives in many ways.
If there is one thing that I would like each and every one of you to take away from my remarks this morning, it is this: America’s Building Trades Unions are already taking the necessary steps to meet the needs of the nuclear industry…by continually asking ourselves one simple question:
What are we prepared to do to ensure that our unions are trusted, value-added partners with our contractors and owners?
As I said, our organizational mission is centered upon instituting a new, value-oriented culture.It starts with the General Presidents of each of our 13 affiliated unions…and permeates down to the Business Manager of each local union and to the rank and file member…so that it manifests itself in consistently harmonious, productive jobsites.
And I want everyone here to understand one other thing.
America’s Building Trades Unions are also taking steps to effectively address the serious manpower needs…that will confront this industry when construction of new facilities begins in earnest.
First, several of our unions have increased their ranks to their highest levels in the history of their organizations. And that is no small achievement…given the economic times we find ourselves in today. But, it is also indicative of the new visionary leaders that have ascended to the highest ranks of our unions. America’s Building Trades Unions are today being led by a cadre of the smartest, innovative and creative leaders ever.
The nuclear industry should be pleased that we have these brilliant leaders at the helm of our unions at a time of critical need for this industry.
All of us, myself and my Secretary-Treasurer Sean McGarvey…along with the 13 General Presidents of our affiliated unions…realize there is much more to be done to fully ensure the rejuvenation of a robust nuclear power industry in the United States. Whether it’s securing federal loan guarantees…or structuring innovative construction agreements…or taking steps to address the looming skilled manpower issue. Our unions will continue do our part.
But, quite frankly, we would like to see more upfront commitments…such as the one we have received from Constellation, Unistar and Bechtel with respect to the Calvert Cliffs 3 project in Maryland. We can’t recruit and train a workforce betting on the come.
Make no mistake…we are committed to the success and prosperity of this industry and our outstanding partnership with NEI. And I believe that our actions to date are reflective of that commitment.
I challenge any other entity…to bring as much to this partnership as we already have.
We have and will continue to bring legislative and political expertise to the table.
We offer the worlds’ most advanced workforce training infrastructure spending nearly $900 million annually…and, we will bring a level of flexibility that is unprecedented in our 100-year history.
If there are other specific changes that this industry believes our unions should undertake we would appreciate hearing from you.
But, I would be remiss if I failed to mention how perplexing and disconcerting it is for us…after we have made numerous commitments and made the heavy lift for this industry’s future…to sit by and watch some members of this industry thumb their noses at us…and court a “low-road” approach for construction services.
We bring value to this industry.
And we have been integral to the success of the industry’s regulatory and legislative agenda. So, for those of you who may be contemplating the pursuit of a “low road” approach…you need to know that, from our perspective…such actions will poison what we believe today is a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship. Because for this industry to realize success in the long run…it will take two to tango, and two to succeed.
I sincerely hope that this year’s ANS Winter Meeting marks the continuation…and strengthening of an even more effective partnership between us.
A primary goal of America’s Building Trades Unions is to secure a healthy future for this industry. Owners and contractors in other industry sectors are seeing these changes first hand and they like what they see. I hope this industry does, too.
I will always have confidence in the two and one half million men and women whom I have the privilege of representing…that they will not only meet your needs and expectations…But exceed them. I have confidence that the history of our relationship, and our collective interests…will carry us forward and assist us in overcoming any obstacles that might arise.
The stakes are too high for anything less than total success.
Thank you.
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