Minn. Teamsters Push Gov. In Bridge Rebuilding

Teamsters Local 120, which represents nearly 14,000 members and is the largest Teamsters Local Union in Minnesota, is pressing Governor Tim Pawlenty and the state legislature for change to the state's transportation policy.

"The bridge collapse was a tragedy for the Twin Cities, for Minnesota and for the nation," says Teamsters Local 120 President Brad Slawson. "The horrific loss of lives -- including that of a Teamster delivery driver -- is testament to the need for fundamental change."

"Rebuilding the bridge is an important first step," continues Slawson. "However, the new bridge must represent more than a mere span of concrete and steel. Instead, it must serve as a monument to Minnesota's renewed commitment to safe, efficient and responsible transportation."

Teamsters Local 120 urged Pawlenty to view bridge reconstruction as a matter of practicality rather than politics. "Teamsters Local 120 members -- along with thousands of union members employed in the building trades -- are ready, willing and able to contribute to the
reconstruction of the I-35W bridge," Slawson says. "It's a matter of pride and patriotism. Allowing these union members to put their skills to work will mean getting a quick and quality rebuild. It will also provide good jobs to construction workers who have been idled by an industry slowdown."

Given the tragic circumstances, Slawson expressed confidence that Governor Pawlenty would not succumb to the political temptation of directing bridge reconstruction work to non-union contractors that traditionally support Republicans. "Safety, not politics, should be
Minnesota's first concern," he says. Slawson says he didn't think that Pawlenty's recent request for the assistance of Minnesota's congressional delegation in securing regulatory waivers should be used as an excuse to suspend labor standards.

However, Slawson says he is concerned about the Minnesota Department of Transportation's (MnDOT) pace in awarding preliminary contracts and requiring prequalification submissions. "Some degree of urgency is obviously necessary under the circumstances, but MnDOT must recognize that the tragedy of the bridge collapse does not somehow trump the applicability of state and federal labor laws during reconstruction," says Slawson. "Minnesotans support a reconstruction timeline that results in a responsibly built bridge that will safely serve motorists for years to come. They aren't interested in hurriedly and haphazardly assembling something more akin to a political prop than a long-lasting bridge."

Watch breaking news now on our video feed:

Bookmark http://universeeverything.blogspot.com/ and drop back in sometime.