Operating Engineers 324 comment on Gov. Whitmer’s State of the State Address

Operating Engineers applaud Governor’s vision to drastically improve Michigan’s Infrastructure and Workforce Development

MICHIGAN — Operating Engineers 324 Business Manager and General Vice-President Douglas W. Stockwell released the following statement regarding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address:

“Last night, Governor Whitmer laid out an aggressive agenda to deal with two issues very important to Operating Engineers in the state of Michigan – the repair and improvement of Michigan’s infrastructure, and the need to help our residents find good lifelong careers like those offered in the skilled trades. For too long, we have treated Michigan’s crumbling roads, bridges and failing infrastructure like it was a nuisance rather than the potentially disastrous problem it really is. As Operating Engineers who work on these projects daily, it is a call we have been making for years. Among the 50 states, we are near the bottom in road funding, and it impacts our wallets, our business opportunities, and the safety of our residents. By highlighting the need for real investment and improvement, Governor Whitmer has taken the first step in fulfilling her campaign promise to ‘fix the damn roads.’ We applaud Governor Whitmer’s passion and agenda to move Michigan forward with real infrastructure investment, and look forward to helping her make these goals reality. It will take great effort to make this happen, and we stand at the ready to go to work.

We are also encouraged by her support of union apprenticeship programs, and the career opportunities they can provide. The need for the next generation of skilled tradespeople is greater than ever, and through long-standing, Department of Labor registered programs like those offered by Operating Engineers 324, we can inspire and welcome that next generation into fulfilling careers. We thank the Governor for recognizing and encouraging these career paths, and continuing the great partnership we share with the state.”