Garamendi, Pocan Call on U.S. Secretary of Commerce to Appoint Union Representative to National Advisory Board

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), co-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus, led 19 other Democratic members in calling on U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo to appoint a labor union representative to the National Advisory Board for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program is a public-private partnership with centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico to support small and medium-sized manufacturers in growing their businesses and train, hire, and retain a skilled workforce.

“We write urging you to appoint a representative of a labor union apprenticeship program at the next opportunity on the National Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program,” the members wrote.

“Giving union apprenticeship programs representation on the National Advisory Board will ensure that American union workers have a voice in strengthening this important program and building on its past successes,” the members continued.  “With a seat at the table, union apprenticeships will provide a critical perspective in helping small manufacturers train, hire, and retain a skilled workforce.

A full copy of the letter is below. Click here for an electronic version.

Under current law, the National Advisory Board’s ten members must include one community college representative, five small business manufacturers, and two staff of the 51 Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers nationwide. This letter follows Garamendi and Pocan’s sponsorship of the “Manufacturing Partnership Improvement Act” (H.R.3854), which would require what the letter requests and make other improvements to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.

In addition to Representatives Garamendi and Pocan, the letter was cosigned by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI06), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL13), Chris Deluzio (D-PA17), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA08), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY14), André Carson (D-IN07), Daniel T. Kildee (D-MI08), Dina Titus (D-NV01), Haley M. Stevens (D-MI11), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL04), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ05), Katie Porter (D-CA47), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA10), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM01), Shri Thanedar (D-MI13), Susan Wild (D-PA07), Val Hoyle (D-OR04), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL09), and Donald G. Davis (D-NC01).

Full Text of Letter:

Dear Secretary Raimondo:

We write urging you to appoint a representative of a labor union apprenticeship program at the next opportunity on the National Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. Furthermore, we encourage you to reserve at least one seat for labor representatives on the National Advisory Board in perpetuity.

Under current law, the National Advisory Board’s ten members must include one community college representative, five small business manufacturers, and two staff of the 51 Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers nationwide. Our “Manufacturing Partnership Improvement Act” (H.R.3854) would require that one of the two currently open seats be reserved for a labor union representative.

Giving union apprenticeship programs representation on the National Advisory Board will ensure that American union workers have a voice in strengthening this important program and building on its past successes. With a seat at the table, union apprenticeships will provide a critical perspective in helping small manufacturers train, hire, and retain a skilled workforce.

In February 2022, the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment recommended that union voices be included in all federal advisory committees. We were thrilled to see the Biden Administration’s appointments of union representatives to the National Advisory Council on Innovation

and Entrepreneurship, the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, and the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board over the past year. We now ask that you consider furthering this progress by also appointing a union representative to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program’s National Advisory Board.

Doing so would perfectly align with the Biden Administration’s ongoing efforts to incorporate union voices in the federal government’s formal advisory discussions. We appreciate your full and fair consideration of this critical matter. Thank you for your leadership and consideration.

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