Rep. Sánchez hosts U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh in 38th Congressional District

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) hosted U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh in the 38th Congressional District to meet with local labor unions, tour apprenticeship programs, and discuss ways to protect union jobs, working families, and our environment in Southern California as we rebuild our local infrastructure.

Sánchez hosted Secretary Walsh for a morning of discussions and tours, including coffee at Tierra Mia in Montebello, a breakfast with Congresswoman Sánchez's Labor Advisory Council, a tour of apprenticeship programs at the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters (SWRCC) Training Facility, and a tour of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) with U.S. Secretary of Energy Secretary Granholm.

For usable pictures from today's events with Sec. Walsh, click here.

"It is my honor to have Secretary Walsh with us today to show him some of the work we are doing in Southern California to create good-paying jobs and protect working families as we reinvest in our cities," said Congresswoman Linda Sánchez.

"I was thrilled to spend time with Representative Sánchez to learn more from her about the many ways she and her constituents are working to expand access to the middle class through cutting edge workforce training programs," said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. "These programs are at the heart of the Administration's strategies to build a better America for all, and I appreciate Representative Sánchez giving me the opportunity to see them in action."

Congresswoman Sánchez first met Secretary Walsh at Tierra Mia Coffee, a local favorite for Congresswoman Sánchez, in Montebello, CA. The two enjoyed café cubanos and met with staff at the coffee shop.

After coffee, Congresswoman Sánchez and Secretary Walsh met with Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters (SWRCC) for a tour of their training facility in Whittier, CA. The training facility in Whittier houses two critical training programs for local job opportunities, Brothers' Keeper and Bridging Opportunities with Tradeswoman Skills (BOOTS). Brothers' Keeper is a 4-week pre-apprenticeship program that assists disadvantaged groups, including former inmates, with training to advance career opportunities in the carpentry trade. BOOTS is another 4-week pre-apprenticeship program designed to empower and assist women to become carpenters. The program serves as an introduction to carpentry and focuses on safety, math, framing, and concrete form building.

In March, Congresswoman Sánchez met with trainees from both programs and visited jobs sites in Pico Rivera.

"For too long, women, people of color, and workers with disabilities have been excluded from these jobs," said Congresswoman Sánchez. "The reforms in the infrastructure bill will help California invest in programs just like the BOOTS and Brothers' Keeper pre-apprenticeship classes. I am proud to have Secretary Walsh here to visit these programs and to have his support as we invest in our local infrastructure."

Congresswoman Sánchez then hosted Secretary Walsh for breakfast at the SWRCC Training Facility with her Labor Advisory Council, a group of local labor unions and representatives from across the 38th Congressional District. Congresswoman Sánchez hosts regular meetings with this group to discuss priorities for them and their union workers in Southern California. Their input informs Congresswoman Sánchez's legislative work in Washington, especially in her role as Co-chair of the Labor Caucus.

The group discussed the need to prioritize good-paying, union jobs as we begin to rebuild roads, bridges, and highways with funding from the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

"Today is special for me, and it is special for all our union brothers and sisters here in Southern California. Not only is today our first in-person Labor Advisory Council meeting since the start of the pandemic, but we are honored to be joined by U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh," Congresswoman Sánchez said at the breakfast. "Like all of you in this room, Secretary Walsh has never shied away from protecting union workers, and he has long been a champion for working families."

Congresswoman Sánchez and Secretary Walsh then joined U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and other Members of the Los Angeles Delegation for a tour of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI). Matt Petersen, President & CEO of LACI, led the tour. Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congresswoman Norma Torres, and LA Supervisor Hilda Solis were also in attendance.

LACI is a non-profit organization, founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power. It aims to create an inclusive green economy for the people of Los Angeles by assisting with innovation and working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies; transforming markets through partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in transportation, energy and sustainable cities; and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs.

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