SHERILYN WRIGHT

Labor/Immigration The IBEW opposes a provision in the bill that would permit hundreds of thousands of temporary foreign workers to enter the country each year, ultimately expanding guest workers to over 3 million in 10 years. Temporary guest worker programs without any credible wage protections (Davis-Bacon) or other labor protections such as OSHA, and Workers’ Compensation is unacceptable. Driving down wages and living standards for American workers is not in the best interest of American workers and deviates from a long-held American value that anyone who arrives on our shores legally be afforded a path to citizenship. Americans have earned a middle-class lifestyle and it should be protected. Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007,S 1348. Labor/Shipbuilding The IBEW supported an increase in funding of $60 million in FY08 for the Title XI Ship Loan Guarantee Program. This program provides affordable financing for domestic small and medium ship construction. Our domestic ship construction industry needs to be preserved, not only to ensure that America retains a shipbuilding capacity, but also to continue to maintain a work force capable of meeting building ship needs and not to rely on foreign sources for U.S. ship needs. No bill reference at this time. Labor/Minimum Wage The IBEW supports passage of the minimum wage bills to increase wages (minimum wage had not been raised since 1997). The bills would increase minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour over two years. This is about economic justice for all workers. Bill Ref. HR 2/S 2, Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. with a union that demonstrate majority support without going through the elaborate election procedures that are now required. Bill reference: HR 800, Employee Free Choice Act of 2007; House Res. 203, to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, and for other purposes (Rept. 110-26); Amend Section 9(c) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(c)); S. 1041, Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. Labor/Misclassification of Employees The IBEW is opposed to unscrupulous employers who dodge federal tax and labor laws by wrongfully classifying their employees as independent contractors, and objects to those employers who claim to be an independent contractor and refuse to withhold taxes from the worker’s pay, and sends a Form 1099 instead of a W-2 to the IRS. Workers are forced to pay their own taxes and are deprived of virtually all labor protections despite having a traditional employer-employee relationship on-the-job. Bill Ref.: (Draft Bill) Labor/Locks & Dams The IBEW urged the retention of Sec. 3403 in the final version of the FY07 Supplemental Appropriations Bill, to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from reducing (downsizing and reorganizing staff) operations within the Civil Engineering Program (CEP) of the Coast Guard, except if authorized by Congress. Use of High Performing Organization (HPO) without first subjecting the proposed cutting cost changes to a public-private competition process, would jeopardize CEP’s mission. The provision in Section 3403 would prevent the DHS from taking action to alter or reduce operations within the CEP of the Coast Guard, except as specifically authorized by Congress. HR 1591, Fiscal 2007 Emergency Iraq/Hurricane Supplemental Appropriations. Labor/NSPS The IBEW supports a provision prohibiting the expenditure of federal funds on those portions of Department of Defense (DoD) Civilian National Security Personnel System (NSPS) ruled illegal in Federal District Court. The IBEW supports stripping any proposed language that includes NSPS, and restoration of collective bargaining rights and access to the appeals process to federal workers. Ref.: HR 1585, FY 2008 Defense Authorization [Any Specific Section References?] Labor/Water Fund The IBEW strongly opposed stripping the Davis-Bacon provision requiring workers on federal construction projects to be paid the local prevailing wage. This requirement aims to protect workers on projects financed by either state or federal funds. Bill Ref.: HR 720, Water Quality Financing Act of 2007. The Davis-Bacon wage requirements of subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code. Labor/EFCA The IBEW supports a system to enable employees to form a union by joining together in unions to bargain for better wages and benefits and would require an employer to bargain (in good faith)

This includes the recently signed Panama, Peru, Columbia, and South Korea free trade agreements and opposed to the renewal of presidential fast track Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). IBEW supports addressing the problem of currency manipulation with China and Japan. Bill Ref.: HR 782/S 796, Fair Currency Act of 2007; HR 2942, Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act of 2007. The IBEW is opposed to all new free trade agreements negotiated under the failed NAFTA/CAFTA template.

* The IBEW lobbied Congress to oppose the Panama, Peru, Columbia, and South Korea Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The IBEW also urged Congress to oppose renewal of presidential Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), better known as "fast track." Finally, to address the problem of currency manipulation, the IBEW urged support for the Fair Currency Act of 2007 (H.R. 782). Regarding another trade-based issue, the IBEW supported the Trade and Globalization Assistance Act of 2007 (S. 3920). This legislation expands Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) to include service workers; rewards states that modernize their unemployment insurance (UI) systems; and contains improvements to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. Regarding another trade-based issue, the IBEW supported the Trade and Globalization Assistance Act of 2007 (S. 3920). This legislation expands Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) to include service workers; rewards states that modernize their unemployment insurance (UI) systems; and contains improvements to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.

Labor/Immigration The IBEW opposes a provision in the bill that would permit hundreds of thousands of temporary foreign workers to enter the country each year, ultimately expanding guest workers to over 3 million in 10 years. Temporary guest worker programs without any credible wage protections (Davis-Bacon) or other labor protections such as OSHA, and Workers’ Compensation is unacceptable. Driving down wages and living standards for American workers is not in the best interest of American workers and deviates from a long-held American value that anyone who arrives on our shores legally be afforded a path to citizenship. Americans have earned a middle-class lifestyle and it should be protected. Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007,S 1348. Labor/Shipbuilding The IBEW supported an increase in funding of $60 million in FY08 for the Title XI Ship Loan Guarantee Program. This program provides affordable financing for domestic small and medium ship construction. Our domestic ship construction industry needs to be preserved, not only to ensure that America retains a shipbuilding capacity, but also to continue to maintain a work force capable of meeting building ship needs and not to rely on foreign sources for U.S. ship needs. No bill reference at this time. Labor/Minimum Wage The IBEW supports passage of the minimum wage bills to increase wages (minimum wage had not been raised since 1997). The bills would increase minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour over two years. This is about economic justice for all workers. Bill Ref. HR 2/S 2, Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. with a union that demonstrate majority support without going through the elaborate election procedures that are now required. Bill reference: HR 800, Employee Free Choice Act of 2007; House Res. 203, to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, and for other purposes (Rept. 110-26); Amend Section 9(c) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(c)); S. 1041, Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. Labor/Misclassification of Employees The IBEW is opposed to unscrupulous employers who dodge federal tax and labor laws by wrongfully classifying their employees as independent contractors, and objects to those employers who claim to be an independent contractor and refuse to withhold taxes from the worker’s pay, and sends a Form 1099 instead of a W-2 to the IRS. Workers are forced to pay their own taxes and are deprived of virtually all labor protections despite having a traditional employer-employee relationship on-the-job. Bill Ref.: (Draft Bill) Labor/Locks & Dams The IBEW urged the retention of Sec. 3403 in the final version of the FY07 Supplemental Appropriations Bill, to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from reducing (downsizing and reorganizing staff) operations within the Civil Engineering Program (CEP) of the Coast Guard, except if authorized by Congress. Use of High Performing Organization (HPO) without first subjecting the proposed cutting cost changes to a public-private competition process, would jeopardize CEP’s mission. The provision in Section 3403 would prevent the DHS from taking action to alter or reduce operations within the CEP of the Coast Guard, except as specifically authorized by Congress. HR 1591, Fiscal 2007 Emergency Iraq/Hurricane Supplemental Appropriations. Labor/NSPS The IBEW supports a provision prohibiting the expenditure of federal funds on those portions of Department of Defense (DoD) Civilian National Security Personnel System (NSPS) ruled illegal in Federal District Court. The IBEW supports stripping any proposed language that includes NSPS, and restoration of collective bargaining rights and access to the appeals process to federal workers. Ref.: HR 1585, FY 2008 Defense Authorization [Any Specific Section References?] Labor/Water Fund The IBEW strongly opposed stripping the Davis-Bacon provision requiring workers on federal construction projects to be paid the local prevailing wage. This requirement aims to protect workers on projects financed by either state or federal funds. Bill Ref.: HR 720, Water Quality Financing Act of 2007. The Davis-Bacon wage requirements of subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code. Labor/EFCA The IBEW supports a system to enable employees to form a union by joining together in unions to bargain for better wages and benefits and would require an employer to bargain (in good faith)

This legislation requires that the General Accounting Office (GAO) and Small Business Administration (SBA) develop methodology for measuring broadband cost, speed and comparability with other nations. Current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) definitions and data concerning broadband internet service are inadequate in this rapidly changing environment. Universal broadband adoption would create more than a million new jobs. Ref. S. 1492, Broadband Data Improvement Act. Telecom/Broadband The IBEW supports the Broadband Data Improvement Act.

Labor/Telecommunications: The IBEW urged Congress to pass the Broadband Data Improvement Act (S. 1492), legislation that would improve the quality of federal and state data regarding the availability and quality of broadband services.

of the Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007(EPAct 2005). IBEW opposed U.S. Department of Energy project redesign proposal in the FY2008 Energy and Water Appropriations (HR 2641). IBEW opposed any attempts to block funding for the development of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors NIETCs) in EPAct 2005. Energy/FutureGen IBEW supports DoE’s proposed FutureGen coal-based, hydrogen-producing, zero-emissions demonstration power plant project but opposes any appropriations to redesign the project. FutureGen will help foster our nation’s twin goals of energy independence and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and ensures the continued use of America’s most abundant and widely used fuel for electricity production – coal. It will also provide a commercial-scale integration of advanced technology designed to gasify a variety of coal types while testing carbon capture and storage in deep-geologic, saline formations. It is a step in the right direction for energy independence and clean-coal technology. Bill Ref.: FY2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2641). Energy/Climate Change The IBEW supports addressing global climate change with a reasonable and balanced approach that assures abundant, affordable energy supplies and does not undermine economic growth or diminish good paying jobs for our workers. For purposes of coal-fired electric generating units IBEW supports existing federal cap-and-trade programs so that the point of regulation is the same as the point of allowance allocation.: S. 1766, Low Carbon Economy Act. Energy Policy Act of 2005; IBEW opposed any attempts to modify or repeal Sec. 368 and supported Section 1221

Labor/Energy - Environment: The IBEW supported the Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007 (S. 1766), also known as the Bingamen-Specter climate change bill. The bill mandates a cap on carbon emissions along with a system for trading carbon allowances in a program known as "cap and trade." Furthermore, the legislation insists that our trading partners also take steps to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.

Labor/Immigration The IBEW opposes a provision in the bill that would permit hundreds of thousands of temporary foreign workers to enter the country each year, ultimately expanding guest workers to over 3 million in 10 years. Temporary guest worker programs without any credible wage protections (Davis-Bacon) or other labor protections such as OSHA, and Workers’ Compensation is unacceptable. Driving down wages and living standards for American workers is not in the best interest of American workers and deviates from a long-held American value that anyone who arrives on our shores legally be afforded a path to citizenship. Americans have earned a middle-class lifestyle and it should be protected. Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007,S 1348. Labor/Shipbuilding The IBEW supported an increase in funding of $60 million in FY08 for the Title XI Ship Loan Guarantee Program. This program provides affordable financing for domestic small and medium ship construction. Our domestic ship construction industry needs to be preserved, not only to ensure that America retains a shipbuilding capacity, but also to continue to maintain a work force capable of meeting building ship needs and not to rely on foreign sources for U.S. ship needs. No bill reference at this time. Labor/Minimum Wage The IBEW supports passage of the minimum wage bills to increase wages (minimum wage had not been raised since 1997). The bills would increase minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour over two years. This is about economic justice for all workers. Bill Ref. HR 2/S 2, Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. with a union that demonstrate majority support without going through the elaborate election procedures that are now required. Bill reference: HR 800, Employee Free Choice Act of 2007; House Res. 203, to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, and for other purposes (Rept. 110-26); Amend Section 9(c) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(c)); S. 1041, Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. Labor/Misclassification of Employees The IBEW is opposed to unscrupulous employers who dodge federal tax and labor laws by wrongfully classifying their employees as independent contractors, and objects to those employers who claim to be an independent contractor and refuse to withhold taxes from the worker’s pay, and sends a Form 1099 instead of a W-2 to the IRS. Workers are forced to pay their own taxes and are deprived of virtually all labor protections despite having a traditional employer-employee relationship on-the-job. Bill Ref.: (Draft Bill) Labor/Locks & Dams The IBEW urged the retention of Sec. 3403 in the final version of the FY07 Supplemental Appropriations Bill, to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from reducing (downsizing and reorganizing staff) operations within the Civil Engineering Program (CEP) of the Coast Guard, except if authorized by Congress. Use of High Performing Organization (HPO) without first subjecting the proposed cutting cost changes to a public-private competition process, would jeopardize CEP’s mission. The provision in Section 3403 would prevent the DHS from taking action to alter or reduce operations within the CEP of the Coast Guard, except as specifically authorized by Congress. HR 1591, Fiscal 2007 Emergency Iraq/Hurricane Supplemental Appropriations. Labor/NSPS The IBEW supports a provision prohibiting the expenditure of federal funds on those portions of Department of Defense (DoD) Civilian National Security Personnel System (NSPS) ruled illegal in Federal District Court. The IBEW supports stripping any proposed language that includes NSPS, and restoration of collective bargaining rights and access to the appeals process to federal workers. Ref.: HR 1585, FY 2008 Defense Authorization [Any Specific Section References?] Labor/Water Fund The IBEW strongly opposed stripping the Davis-Bacon provision requiring workers on federal construction projects to be paid the local prevailing wage. This requirement aims to protect workers on projects financed by either state or federal funds. Bill Ref.: HR 720, Water Quality Financing Act of 2007. The Davis-Bacon wage requirements of subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code. Labor/EFCA The IBEW supports a system to enable employees to form a union by joining together in unions to bargain for better wages and benefits and would require an employer to bargain (in good faith)

This includes the recently signed Panama, Peru, Columbia, and South Korea free trade agreements and opposed to the renewal of presidential fast track Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). IBEW supports addressing the problem of currency manipulation with China and Japan. Bill Ref.: HR 782/S 796, Fair Currency Act of 2007; HR 2942, Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act of 2007. The IBEW is opposed to all new free trade agreements negotiated under the failed NAFTA/CAFTA template.

Labor/Immigration The IBEW opposes a provision in the bill that would permit hundreds of thousands of temporary foreign workers to enter the country each year, ultimately expanding guest workers to over 3 million in 10 years. Temporary guest worker programs without any credible wage protections (Davis-Bacon) or other labor protections such as OSHA, and Workers’ Compensation is unacceptable. Driving down wages and living standards for American workers is not in the best interest of American workers and deviates from a long-held American value that anyone who arrives on our shores legally be afforded a path to citizenship. Americans have earned a middle-class lifestyle and it should be protected. Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007,S 1348. Labor/Shipbuilding The IBEW supported an increase in funding of $60 million in FY08 for the Title XI Ship Loan Guarantee Program. This program provides affordable financing for domestic small and medium ship construction. Our domestic ship construction industry needs to be preserved, not only to ensure that America retains a shipbuilding capacity, but also to continue to maintain a work force capable of meeting building ship needs and not to rely on foreign sources for U.S. ship needs. No bill reference at this time. Labor/Minimum Wage The IBEW supports passage of the minimum wage bills to increase wages (minimum wage had not been raised since 1997). The bills would increase minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour over two years. This is about economic justice for all workers. Bill Ref. HR 2/S 2, Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. with a union that demonstrate majority support without going through the elaborate election procedures that are now required. Bill reference: HR 800, Employee Free Choice Act of 2007; House Res. 203, to amend the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to provide for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts, and for other purposes (Rept. 110-26); Amend Section 9(c) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(c)); S. 1041, Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. Labor/Misclassification of Employees The IBEW is opposed to unscrupulous employers who dodge federal tax and labor laws by wrongfully classifying their employees as independent contractors, and objects to those employers who claim to be an independent contractor and refuse to withhold taxes from the worker’s pay, and sends a Form 1099 instead of a W-2 to the IRS. Workers are forced to pay their own taxes and are deprived of virtually all labor protections despite having a traditional employer-employee relationship on-the-job. Bill Ref.: (Draft Bill) Labor/Locks & Dams The IBEW urged the retention of Sec. 3403 in the final version of the FY07 Supplemental Appropriations Bill, to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from reducing (downsizing and reorganizing staff) operations within the Civil Engineering Program (CEP) of the Coast Guard, except if authorized by Congress. Use of High Performing Organization (HPO) without first subjecting the proposed cutting cost changes to a public-private competition process, would jeopardize CEP’s mission. The provision in Section 3403 would prevent the DHS from taking action to alter or reduce operations within the CEP of the Coast Guard, except as specifically authorized by Congress. HR 1591, Fiscal 2007 Emergency Iraq/Hurricane Supplemental Appropriations. Labor/NSPS The IBEW supports a provision prohibiting the expenditure of federal funds on those portions of Department of Defense (DoD) Civilian National Security Personnel System (NSPS) ruled illegal in Federal District Court. The IBEW supports stripping any proposed language that includes NSPS, and restoration of collective bargaining rights and access to the appeals process to federal workers. Ref.: HR 1585, FY 2008 Defense Authorization [Any Specific Section References?] Labor/Water Fund The IBEW strongly opposed stripping the Davis-Bacon provision requiring workers on federal construction projects to be paid the local prevailing wage. This requirement aims to protect workers on projects financed by either state or federal funds. Bill Ref.: HR 720, Water Quality Financing Act of 2007. The Davis-Bacon wage requirements of subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code. Labor/EFCA The IBEW supports a system to enable employees to form a union by joining together in unions to bargain for better wages and benefits and would require an employer to bargain (in good faith)

The IBEW opposed any amendments to the Senate Draft Energy bill that would repeal the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA) of 1935. Market manipulation and failed deregulation policies have devastated the electric utility industry, workers, investors, and consumers resulting in job losses. Ref. S. 10, The Energy Policy Act of 2005. HR. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Ltr.04/20/05; 05/18/05) The IBEW supported the Feingold/Brownback Amendment (SA 796) to S. 10, “The Energy Policy Act of 2005.” “The Fair Competition and Financial Integrity” or “ring fencing” amendment will provide the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with specific authority to address unfair competition arising from cross-subsidization and cost-shifting in transactions between a public utility and its unregulated affiliates. Under the proposed amendment, FERC would be empowered to develop rules establishing a “firewall” between a utility and its unregulated affiliates. Ltr. 06/22/05

The IBEW is opposed to privatization or any change to the Social Security System that would compromise this Trust Fund. The Administration’s plan contains key elements that would allow workers to divert part of their payroll taxes (FICA) into private accounts and change the formula under which benefits are calculated. The impact of these proposals would affect retirees on fixed incomes, and amount to taking a huge gamble on the types of investments that workers made throughout their working careers. Mistakes in investment strategy could result in reduced market returns or financial ruin. Ref. Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Act (HR 1517), Stop the Raid on Social Security Act of 2005 (S. 1302), Social Security Right to Know (S. 274).

The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which covers agreements with Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, does not include protections for workers’ rights to form a union or to enjoy safe working conditions on the job. It does not include adequate enforcement mechanisms for violations of internationally recognized labor and environmental standards. It is about outsourcing jobs and losing our economic base. Bill Ref.: to Implement the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (H.R. 3045/S.1307)Ltr. 07/22/05

The IBEW supported S. 131, the Clear Skies Act of 2005, legislation that will promote coal, a domestic source of energy, while mandating a reduction in harmful emissions from the use of coal to generate electricity, and will produce good paying jobs.

IBEW urges rejection of any proposal that would attempt to cut Social Security benefits or otherwise hurt workers in risky privatized Social Security finance accounts, or raise the retirement age, which already is scheduled to increase to 67. The IBEW position is that forcing workers to stay on the job even longer to collect the benefits they have spent years paying for would be cruel and unnecessary. It is also inconceivable that workers in physically demanding jobs, as is the case with a large number of IBEW members, would be forced to work longer by increasing the retirement age. Chairman William Thomas was expected to include Social Security privatization in the Pension Protection Act of 2005 (H.R. 2830), but did not. Thus, it appears that the Social Security issue is dead for now. The general political climate has thwarted any desire to implement the president’s scheme. The IBEW took no position on H.R. 2830, the “Pension Protection Act of 2005,” or S. 1783, the “Pension Security and Transparency Act of 2005” understanding that the ultimate effect of the proposed bills would encourage employers to cease offering their employees a defined benefit pension. Rather, the IBEW lobbied to urge the inclusion of two separate provisions to the bill. The first was for multi-employer pension plan reform as proposed by the Multi-Employer Pension Plan Coalition, a group of employers and unions involved in the construction, trucking, and food service industries. The second was for a two-part change to Section 420 of the Internal Revenue Code as outlined in S. 1573 the “Retiree Health Benefits Act of 2005.” The language of S. 1573 is included in S. 1783. The language proposes two changes to Section 420 of the Internal Revenue Code to ensure that retirees, such as those at Lucent Technologies [an IBEW/Communication Workers of America (CWA) employer], will continue to receive retiree health care benefits. First, the bill would permit substituting the statutorily mandated maintenance-of-cost requirement with the retiree health care benefits as negotiated under the collective bargaining agreement between IBEW/CWA and Lucent Technologies. Second, the proposed legislation would permit Lucent to pre-fund a retiree health care trust by providing an exception from the current-law restriction that allows a transfer to fund retiree health care costs for only the current year. Enactment of this legislation is vital to the retirement security of approximately 117,000 retirees and their dependents. Changes to Section 420 is a collaborative labor/management effort. [Ltr. 9/29/05]

IBEW urges rejection of any proposal that would attempt to cut Social Security benefits or otherwise hurt workers in risky privatized Social Security finance accounts, or raise the retirement age, which already is scheduled to increase to 67. The IBEW position is that forcing workers to stay on the job even longer to collect the benefits they have spent years paying for would be cruel and unnecessary. It is also inconceivable that workers in physically demanding jobs, as is the case with a large number of IBEW members, would be forced to work longer by increasing the retirement age. Chairman William Thomas was expected to include Social Security privatization in the Pension Protection Act of 2005 (H.R. 2830), but did not. Thus, it appears that the Social Security issue is dead for now. The general political climate has thwarted any desire to implement the president’s scheme. The IBEW took no position on H.R. 2830, the “Pension Protection Act of 2005,” or S. 1783, the “Pension Security and Transparency Act of 2005” understanding that the ultimate effect of the proposed bills would encourage employers to cease offering their employees a defined benefit pension. Rather, the IBEW lobbied to urge the inclusion of two separate provisions to the bill. The first was for multi-employer pension plan reform as proposed by the Multi-Employer Pension Plan Coalition, a group of employers and unions involved in the construction, trucking, and food service industries. The second was for a two-part change to Section 420 of the Internal Revenue Code as outlined in S. 1573 the “Retiree Health Benefits Act of 2005.” The language of S. 1573 is included in S. 1783. The language proposes two changes to Section 420 of the Internal Revenue Code to ensure that retirees, such as those at Lucent Technologies [an IBEW/Communication Workers of America (CWA) employer], will continue to receive retiree health care benefits. First, the bill would permit substituting the statutorily mandated maintenance-of-cost requirement with the retiree health care benefits as negotiated under the collective bargaining agreement between IBEW/CWA and Lucent Technologies. Second, the proposed legislation would permit Lucent to pre-fund a retiree health care trust by providing an exception from the current-law restriction that allows a transfer to fund retiree health care costs for only the current year. Enactment of this legislation is vital to the retirement security of approximately 117,000 retirees and their dependents. Changes to Section 420 is a collaborative labor/management effort. [Ltr. 9/29/05]

The IBEW is opposed to privatization or any change to the Social Security System that would compromise this Trust Fund. The Administration’s plan contains key elements that would allow workers to divert part of their payroll taxes (FICA) into private accounts and change the formula under which benefits are calculated. The impact of these proposals would affect retirees on fixed incomes, and amount to taking a huge gamble on the types of investments that workers made throughout their working careers. Mistakes in investment strategy could result in reduced market returns or financial ruin. Ref. Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Act (HR 1517), Stop the Raid on Social Security Act of 2005 (S. 1302), Social Security Right to Know (S. 274).

The IBEW supported an amendment offered by Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to the so-called Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 (S. 5), that would “carve-out” state wage & hour and civil rights class actions from proposed legislation. State wage & hour laws generally provide more complete and timely remedies for victims of unscrupulous employers than the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In the absence of a carve-out, many cases will be forced into federal court where they face needless delays and less favorable procedures. Many cases will be disqualified as a class, leaving victims on their own in attempts to recover lost wages.

The IBEW supports legislation that would negotiate a fair compensation system for Asbestos victims. The asbestos proposals present concerns with regard to evidentiary burdens that are difficult to meet; restrictive medical criteria that are more stringent than those in other bankruptcy trusts; inadequate levels of compensation that are far lower than what victims now receive; pre-empts asbestos-related compensation for railroad workers covered by Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA); creates a new asbestos court with broad, non-reviewable powers; and impose an absolute cap on companies' liability, leaving workers to bear all the risk if claims projections are exceeded. Court costs and lawyers’ fees take a good portion of current asbestos awards, leaving thousands of workers who have suffered without a fair resolution. Bill Ref. S. 852, Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2005 (FAIR Act), S. 668, Asbestos Standards Enforcement Act of 2005, S. Res. 43, National Asbestos Awareness Resolution.

The IBEW supported an amendment by Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) to the Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, (S. 256) that would have raised the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour. The IBEW opposed an amendment by Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) that would have raised the minimum wage to $6.25 an hour. The amendment would have destroyed the 40-hour workweek by replacing it with an 80-hour over a two-week work period. It would have also removed up to 10 million workers from protection under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA). The IBEW supports the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) - H.R.1696/S.842. EFCA will strengthen protections for workers' freedom to form unions by requiring employers to recognize a union once a majority of workers sign cards authorizing union representation. It also provides for mediation and arbitration of first-contract disputes and authorizes stronger penalties for employers that violate the legal rights of workers seeking to form unions or negotiate first contracts.

The IBEW supports legislation that would negotiate a fair compensation system for Asbestos victims. The asbestos proposals present concerns with regard to evidentiary burdens that are difficult to meet; restrictive medical criteria that are more stringent than those in other bankruptcy trusts; inadequate levels of compensation that are far lower than what victims now receive; pre-empts asbestos-related compensation for railroad workers covered by Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA); creates a new asbestos court with broad, non-reviewable powers; and impose an absolute cap on companies' liability, leaving workers to bear all the risk if claims projections are exceeded. Court costs and lawyers’ fees take a good portion of current asbestos awards, leaving thousands of workers who have suffered without a fair resolution. Bill Ref. S. 852, Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2005 (FAIR Act), S. 668, Asbestos Standards Enforcement Act of 2005, S. Res. 43, National Asbestos Awareness Resolution.

The IBEW supported inclusion of language to the Fiscal 2006 Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 1815/S. 1042) to limit the practice of leasing foreign-built ships by the Department of Defense (DOD) to not longer than 24 months to meet military requirements. This practice does not sustain the shipbuilding industrial manufacturing base in the U.S., and results in lost jobs, loss of skilled craftsmanship, and low rates of naval ship production. Other bill references: H Con. Res. 95/S. Con. Res. 18, Fiscal 2006 Congressional Budget Resolution. (Ltr. 4/7/05) The IBEW opposed new personnel rules proposed by the Department of Defense (DOD). These new rules, National Security Personnel System (NSPS), eliminates collective bargaining rights and the pay systems for DOD workers, and do not take into account the substantial involvement of its employees' unions as required by law, in direct violation of the law. (No bill reference).

The IBEW urged support for adding $30 million of contract authority funding to the congestion relief program created by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and extended by section 5403 of the Transportation Equity Act, H.R. 3 (TEA-LU). The Senate version of this program (section 2105) adds only $22.3 million. Re-bidding the existing contract and starting over would cause delays, reduce highway safety and lead to loss of good-paying union jobs. The IBEW supported an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd, (D-WV) to the FY 2006 Congressional Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 18) that would allow $1.04 billion in fiscal 2006 funding for Amtrak, and increase the fiscal 2006 discretionary spending limit by $1.04 billion. IBEW opposes privatizing of Amtrak.