Today, U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema joined the BlueGreen Alliance and labor leaders from around the state for a tour of Digital Building Components’ Fabrication Plant and a roundtable to discuss the economic benefits of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and federal investments in advanced energy and infrastructure. At the event, labor leaders thanked Senator Sinema for her leadership in this area and urged her to continue supporting future clean energy and infrastructure investments in order to create more high-quality union jobs, help emission reductions, and create a clear pathway for high-speed rail and electrification of the transportation sector.

“Today’s discussion and tour provided an exciting look at the technological innovations Arizona is known for. I’m thankful for the opportunity to hear from Arizona’s labor leaders, and will continue working across the aisle to craft policies supporting our workers with high-quality, good-paying jobs,” said Senator Kyrsten Sinema, co-author and lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law. 

“Inside Digital Building Components, Arizona workers are working with firms like DPR Construction to change the way construction work is done in our country. It’s exciting to see government leaders like Senator Sinema considering how they can support even more construction work and building the labor force needed to make that vision a reality,” said Gretchen Kinsella, DPR Construction’s Arizona Business Unit Leader.

“Investments in advanced energy and building out Arizona’s infrastructure are essential to meeting our state’s growing demand for high-skilled and high-paying jobs,” said Ronnie Long, AZ Legislative Director of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters.“Meaningful federal investments can spur the state’s economy, leading to higher wages, a better quality of life, and a thriving population.”

“The BMWED is ready to build this infrastructure and continue to make sure these are high-quality jobs by providing training, benefits, and safe working conditions. We’re excited to continue talking with Senator Sinema to get a climate and energy package passed that truly benefits working people,” said Franklin Tsosie III, Chairman of  BMWED/IBT Local 1020.

“The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters is proud to be leading the charge for a clean energy economy here in Arizona. Investing in clean energy and infrastructure not only will tackle the most harmful pollutants and protect our environment, but it will also create good-paying, sustainable jobs for tens of thousands of Arizonans,” said Fabian Sandez, Regional Manager of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. “Today, we spoke with the Senator about the urgent need to pass a federal climate and energy package that also creates high-quality jobs in new industries in Arizona—like building new high-speed rail, manufacturing electric vehicles, installing solar panels, and more. Our workers have the skills for these jobs, and we need our elected leaders to work just as hard to get these critical investments across the finish line.” 

“We applauded the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because our skilled IUOE workers will be building rail lines and roads for years to come,” said Michael Lee, Business Manager, IUOE Local 428. “Today, we also encouraged Senator Sinema to work hard for a climate and energy package that invests in communities and workers who are losing coal jobs as our nation’s energy systems change. Our members can build the systems we need in the future, like high-speed rail and renewable energy storage, but we need support and leadership to make sure these investments are made.”

“The Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation Local 359 was pleased to talk with Senator Sinema today about how critical it is to support domestic manufacturing and make the right investments to create the cleanest, most reliable supply chain for all infrastructure projects,” said Pat Monroy, SMART​ Local Union 359. “Our members already work in facilities that produce the materials needed in everything from water treatment to semiconductors. Targeted investments will help these facilities reduce their air emissions and maintain secure, good jobs for our highly skilled workers—and even expand so they can hire more Arizonans for years to come.”

“Today, we had a fruitful conversation with Senator Sinema and her staff about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and its impact on Arizona’s booming manufacturing sector,” said BlueGreen Alliance Regional Field Organizer Kate French. “We also touched on what future federal investments should look like to continue this economic growth but also how to do so with smart climate solutions included. Today’s discussion with Senator Sinema was very encouraging and we want to continue working with her to prioritize creating good jobs all across this state.”