Dr. Ruiz Leads Call for Fair Labor Standards at California Offshore Wind Projects
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) led 41 members of the California delegation in calling for the highest labor standards to be upheld at offshore wind projects on the California Outer Shelf.
On May 26, 2022, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued the Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) for commercial leasing for these projects, which included a stipulation for any projects proposed under the lease areas to enter into a project labor agreement covering any stage of construction. However, construction components like the wind turbine's floating base are potentially outside the scope of the agreement.
In a letter to BOEM Director Amanda Lefton, Dr. Ruiz and fellow members of Congress urged the agency to fulfill its commitments to complete projects on the California Outer Shelf with union labor at all stages of construction and called on the agency to comply with strong labor standards.
"We are also in favor of strong guarantees in these agreements that would ensure that all workers receive a prevailing wage," Dr. Ruiz and the Members wrote. "We strongly agree with this administration's belief that anyone who works should receive a living wage, and it is essential these projects further empower the American middle-class and do not undercut wages for other projects."
"The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters bare concerns pertaining to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's proposed lease agreements for the California offshore wind projects," said Pete Rodriguez, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. "We appreciate BOEM's noble inclusion of increased labor standards, however, we request a more definitive policy regarding prevailing wage requirements and what constitutes items of construction versus items of commerce on these projects. If these developments are to be built, it is imperative that they provide meaningful economic prosperity and growth for the tradespeople of California."
"On behalf of the Nor Cal Carpenters Union and our 38,000 members, we are excited about the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's proposed lease agreements for California offshore wind projects," said Jay Bradshaw, Executive Officer of Nor Cal Carpenters Union. "These innovative developments potentially will create numerous family-supporting construction jobs while addressing our energy and environmental challenges. We strongly applaud BOEM's efforts towards and this administration's belief that anyone who works should receive a living wage. We believe it is essential that BOEM add explicit prevailing wage requirements for offshore wind-related construction work and should clearly distinguish that assembly of major offshore wind components shall constitute construction and not items of commerce. For these developments to be successful it is essential that they create jobs that adhere to the established prevailing wage and benefit standards in California. These projects will be on the cutting edge of the green energy movement and must create opportunity for highly skilled U.S. workers. Just as important, by following these standards, we will create viable career paths for apprentices, particularly for workers recruited from our most historically marginalized and under-served populations."
The full letter can be found here.
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