President Joe Biden is delivering on his promise to build back better.
With an ambitious infrastructure plan totaling nearly $2 trillion, which AFSCME President Lee Saunders described in a statement as “bold and comprehensive,” Biden aims to not just revitalize and expand our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, but create jobs and provide critical infrastructure access to those who’ve long been without it.
“The president’s plan provides the kinds of bold and comprehensive investments we need to build more modern, equitable and sustainable communities that will benefit all working families,” Saunders said.
From repairing bridges to expanding broadband, from rebuilding highways to strengthening electrical grids, from upgrading airports, railways and schools, the so-called American Jobs Plan represents an investment in federal dollars the nation hasn’t seen in decades.
To see how the how the spending breaks down, click here.
“We cannot afford to merely rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure,” Saunders said. “We must think bigger and toward the future to create good paying union jobs, invest in public services and protect our communities from the threat of climate change.”
Some of the ways in which Biden’s infrastructure plan hopes to improve equitability involve replacing lead pipes – common in communities of color – improving mass transportation and other measures.
The plan includes not just improvements to the nation’s physical infrastructure, which currently earns a shabby C- in the infrastructure report card issued by The American Society of Civil Engineers.
“In addition to fixing battered and neglected roads, bridges and railways, President Biden’s plan will make significant and much-needed investments to other critical infrastructure, including public health, housing and emergency response,” Saunders noted.
Throughout the plan, Biden focuses on creating jobs that have strong labor standards and pay a prevailing wage, as well as ensuring workers are able to choose to organize, join a union and bargain collectively. The American Jobs Plan calls on Congress to pass the PRO Act and guarantee collective bargaining rights for public service workers.
Biden’s plan is earning praise from economists and others for the ways in which it would spur the economy and invest in workers.
Saunders credited the Biden plan for putting the needs of workers center stage, and for making corporations pay their fair share.
“President Biden believes that working people and public services are the backbone of our communities. That is why instead of giving lavish tax breaks to profitable corporations, his plan will ensure they pay their fair share,” Saunders said.
The American Jobs Plan is the bold investment we need to ensure our communities are safe and healthy for years to come.