Labor Day 2022: Five Recent Acts/Plans to Advance American Workers
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.” Oregon was the first state to pass a law on February 21, 1887 to recognize Labor Day. On June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act declaring the first Monday in September of each year to commemorate Labor Day. Four years later in 1898, Congress passed the Erdman Act, a comprehensive version of the 1888 Railroad workers legislation, with additional sections to make it illegal to fire workers for their union membership. However, in 1908, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Erdman Act was “an unconstitutional infringement upon the freedom of contract (Adair v. United States, 1908)”. Two decades later, the U.S. government shifted its philosophy with the enactment of the Norris-La Guardia Act (1932). This act stated that workers should be able to join unions without interference from employers.
Over the years there have been several acts/plans to advance American workers. Listed below are the five most recent acts/plans.
1. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021
ARPA was enacted to provide “additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 (on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses”. On September 2, 2022, President Biden announced that 21 winners representing 24 states will receive “between $25 million and $65 million to execute transformational projects and revitalize local industries”.
2. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 2021 (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act)
This law was created with the following objectives:
rebuild America’s roads, bridges and rails
expand access to clean drinking water
ensure Americans access to high-speed internet
tackle the climate crisis
advance environmental justice
invest in underserved communities
For those who are interested in executing the objectives listed above, there are several grants/funding programs connected with this legislation.
3. CHIPS and Science Act of 2022
This act has the following objectives:
Bolster U.S. leadership in semiconductors by providing $52.7 billion for American semiconductor research, development, manufacturing, and workforce development
Promote U.S. innovation in wireless supply chains by providing $1.5 billion for promoting and deploying wireless technologies that use open and interoperable radio access networks
Advance U.S. global leadership in the technologies of the future by public investment in research and development in areas including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced computing, and quantum information technologies
Provide STEM opportunities to people from underserved and marginalized communities by new and expanded investments in STEM education and training from K-12 to community college, undergraduate and graduate education
4. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 2022
The IRA was established to mitigate inflation by lowering the costs of prescription drugs, health care, and energy. Medicare will be able to negotiate prices for high prescription drugs. Health insurance subsidies are extended for families benefiting from the Affordable Care Act. Clean energy businesses will be incentivized if they pay workers fair wages and use registered apprenticeship programs.
5. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 1065)
This Act passed the House in May 2022 and cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee by a 19-2 vote in August 2022. If passed by the Senate, the law would provide “short-term, reasonable accommodations to pregnant women in the workplace.”
