Letter to Colin Trebilcock, President of Gemma Power Systems, LLC - Congressman Tim Ryan Advocates for Local Union Labor to Build Harrison Power Plant Project

Letter

Mr. Trebilcock,

I write regarding the Harrison Energy Center (OH) in Cadiz, Ohio, of which your company was hired as general contractor by Advanced Power. As an elected official and Ohioan, I am pleased that the investment of a 1,085MW combined-cycle facility is being constructed in the Buckeye state. I have long been a proponent of an all-of-the-above energy policy of developing and using a combination of various resources to meet the energy needs of today and the future.

However, it has come to my attention that this project could be constructed with non-union trades and non-local workers. It is extremely important to me and all the Building Trades in the Ohio Valley that this work be performed by local union labor. Recently, I have learned that the building trades have been trying to reach Gemma to discuss a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) or National agreement to no avail.

The Building Trades unions have constructed two other natural gas power plants in Carrolton, Ohio and Wellsville, Ohio and the Cryogenic plants in Cadiz, Ohio and Scio, Ohio with local union labor. The experience and competence is clearly already here in Ohio. Additionally, local Building Trades unions create more work opportunities, achieve living wages, and protect benefit standards for all construction workers and should be a sought-after partner as much as possible.

Furthermore, hiring locally has many mutual benefits and the money stays within the community. Local businesses are what drives the local economy and the peace of mind in hiring a local contractor guarantees that paychecks and tax dollars are going back into the community where the project is located. Local contractors work in the communities they live in (or near) and are genuinely interested in the community's financial and economical wellness-- just as you are.

As a company that prides itself on core values and community engagement, I want you to succeed, but collectively and inclusive of the local building trades. The key to labor-management relations is teamwork, cooperation, and communication. I strongly urge you and your team to work toward an outcome that benefits the developer, the contractor and all the subcontractors. Please proceed with that goal in mind. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience.

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