Lafayette Reporter

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) have come together to urge the Biden administration to reverse a proposed rule by the Department of Labor that could negatively impact small businesses and non-union shops participating in the National Apprenticeship System.

Kennedy expressed his concerns, stating, “The new regulation the Biden administration is putting in place effectively attacks good jobs that use apprenticeship programs to train Americans for a variety of careers. By punishing non-union job creators, the Department of Labor is also making it harder for Louisiana job seekers to build a career on their own terms.”

The senators raised issues with the proposed rule, highlighting how it would discourage employer participation in apprenticeship programs by imposing unrealistic union requirements. They emphasized that the rule would create burdens for businesses and sponsors, hindering flexibility and limiting non-union worker training.

According to the senators, the proposed rule mandates a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom training for all apprenticeship programs. They argued that such a one-size-fits-all approach from Washington does not consider the diverse dynamics of apprenticeship programs across different localities and industries. Moreover, they pointed out that small businesses may struggle to meet these requirements due to lack of flexibility and resources.

The senators also raised concerns about the potential limitations on non-union apprenticeships, stating, “This rule creates conditions where union membership is all but compulsory and undermines workers’ rights to choose union membership.” They highlighted that this could particularly impact rural areas where many apprenticeship programs are sponsored by small businesses without union affiliation.

A group of other senators joined Kennedy and Barrasso in signing the letter to the Biden administration, including Sens. Cynthia Lummis, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Roger Wicker, and others. The letter calls for a reconsideration of the proposed rule to ensure that apprenticeship programs remain accessible and beneficial for a wide range of employers and workers.

The full letter can be accessed for further details and insights.