"The federal government needs to make a massive commitment to building public works"

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka tells congress the federal government needs to make a massive commitment to building public works. But there are conditions. “Fundamental labor standards specific to construction and transportation, which have been included in past infrastructure investment statutes, must be attached to all federally assisted projects. Collective bargaining agreements and family-supporting wages and benefits must not be undermined by low-wage bids, and public-sector pay, benefits and labor rights must be protected when special interests push privatization and contracting-out schemes.”