10 Jul Ohio BCTGM Members Tell Senator Portman: Pass the Heroes Act NOW!

In Cincinnati, BCTGM Local 253 leaders and International Representative Lisa Gregory joined with Cincinnati Federation of Teachers outside the home office of Ohio’s Senator Rob Portman (R) to urge his support for critical pieces of the House-passed HEROES Act in the next COVID-19 relief bill.

In the coming days, union members across the country will be attending events designed to hold all senators accountable for passing the strong, comprehensive legislation in the Senate. The BCTGM will continue to take strong action and build comprehensive mobilization plans, executable even during this pandemic, that will put pressure on the Senate to pass the HEROES Act.

The HEROES Act includes an effective, comprehensive solution to the multiemployer pension funding crisis that would provide long-term security for pension funds, including the B&C Fund, and for beneficiaries. The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate has so far refused to take action on the HEROES Act. Without strong pressure from working people, the Senate may not take action and we would lose this valuable opportunity to protect our pensions.

Additionally, the funds in the HEROES Act will support the frontline heroes battling the pandemic. Our country’s schools, colleges, state and local services, and hospitals need these funds to keep these critical workers on the job. Without this assistance, essential public services and jobs will be cut just when they are needed most. There will be layoffs at the state and local levels, which will cripple our local economies and deepen the recession. We need these heroes on the frontlines, not on unemployment and food lines. The HEROES Act will help ensure this.

The AFL-CIO has set up a toll-free number for union members and activists to call their U.S. Senators: 866-832-1560