SMACNA Applauds Senate Confirming Lori Chavez-Deremer 30th Secretary of the Department of Labor
CHANTILLY, Virginia — The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA), supported by more than 3,500 construction firms engaged in industrial, commercial, residential, architectural and specialty sheet metal and air conditioning construction throughout the United States, applauds the confirmation of Lori Chavez-DeRemer as the nation’s 30th Department of Labor Secretary.
In her role as a Member of Congress, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer served her congressional district with distinction in a bipartisan, fair and balanced manner, earning widespread support for her job-creating initiatives, ideas, and legislation. This is an example of the Trump Administration appointing a person who knows the long list of complex labor-management issues at DOL and has a balanced policy view that all sides respect.
From years of experience, our firms in Oregon and across the nation believe she will serve the Trump Administration in advocating for labor–management cooperation and seek enforcement of the nation’s labor standards and procurement laws. We especially appreciated her efforts during her term in Congress where she was known for positive reforms to the Davis-Bacon Act, Registered Apprenticeship programs (RAPs), and other workplace standards important to the leading quality-driven firms in the construction industry.
SMACNA CEO Aaron Hilger said that since her arrival in Washington, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer consistently met with, worked with, and listened to both employers and employees to advocate for reasonable job creation and management policies. “This experience will be invaluable as the Department continues implementing important contracting laws, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPs and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, each with important apprenticeship job training and expansion incentives. Each offers pathways to strengthen the “high road” contracting industry and create far more high-quality skilled construction careers, careers that build greater family and community economic wealth,” added Hilger.
SMACNA Executive Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Stan Kolbe added that Chavez-DeRemer has regularly spoken of the need to reform certain workforce development rules to better reflect the intent of enacted statutes and to reform and expand registered apprenticeship opportunities. Additionally, Kolbe added, “these potential improvements could be instrumental to meet and address the skilled workforce shortage crisis.”