Operating engineers praise Biden, bipartisan Michigan congress members for infrastructure jobs plan

HOWELL, Mich. – Operating Engineers 324 today praised President Biden and members of Michigan’s congressional delegation for passing and signing a federal infrastructure plan that will create and maintain thousands of Michigan jobs. The plan is the most significant investment in infrastructure in U.S. history.

“The federal infrastructure plan is a once-in-a-lifetime investment in the country, its states, and its communities. The members of Congress who voted to support it, including the majority of Michigan’s congressional delegation, voted for Michigan jobs,” said Douglas W. Stockwell, Operating Engineers 324 Business Manager. “By investing in roads, bridges, and municipal infrastructure, we are also investing in a stronger future for Michigan families and communities. Operating engineers and other professionals in the skilled trades are grateful for President Biden’s leadership in paving the way for thousands of good-paying Michigan jobs.”

U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters and Michigan’s U.S. Reps. Dan Kildee, Elissa Slotkin, Haley Stevens, Debbie Dingell, Andy Levin, and Brenda Lawrence, as well as Republican Fred Upton, were among the 228 members of Congress who voted to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework. The framework sets aside $10 billion for Michigan to fix and build roads, bridges, and highways, replace lead pipes, expand wireless internet networks, modernize schools and other buildings, and make additional investments.

“This bill started 6 months ago, as a framework that we in the PSC designed — so it’s fulfilling to see it signed into law,” said Slotkin. “The ‘Buy American’ and prevailing wage provisions in this bill are going to guarantee a steady, years-long stream of good-paying jobs for our engineers and construction workers, many of whom I met with last week to discuss the details. It will boost our economy and rebuild our state at the same time, and I’m looking forward to traveling all over the District to talk with folks directly about all the benefits our workers, small businesses, and families will see. Getting this bill signed is a huge win for Michigan and a great step forward for the whole country.”

In early October, President Biden made a stop at the Operating Engineers 324’s 560-acre Construction Career Center in Howell to tour the facility and speak to assembled media about the bill. In addition, the President joined Congresswoman Slotkin, other dignitaries, and Operating Engineers 324 leadership and training staff to see firsthand some of the advanced safety and technology training OE324 offers its members.

“Thanks to President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure plan and the support of a group of Michigan’s congressional delegation, communities across Michigan will have good roads, clean drinking water, updated schools, rural broadband, and more good-paying local jobs,” said Operating Engineers 324 President Ken Dombow. “For years, families have watched and waited while the roads we travel on and the buildings our kids learn in slowly age and crumble. Now, with a national commitment to fix those roads and schools, without raising taxes or adding to the national debt, the men and women who build, repair, and maintain Michigan’s critical infrastructure are eager to get to work and help build a future that can better serve all Michiganders.”