Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro recently announced his “Lightning Plan” at an IAM-represented facility in York, Pa., calling for tax incentives and regulation streamlining to keep Pennsylvania at the forefront of electrical production in North America.
Using an “all of the above” approach to energy production, from fossil fuels, fracking, solar, wind, and hydro electric, the governor hopes to keep and create jobs in the Commonwealth. He chose to announce his plan at this Voith Hydro plant because it dates back to 1877, when it started as S. Morgan Smith, possibly the first hydro electric power manufacturing factory in America.
“Pennsylvania’s energy industry created good jobs and lifted people out of poverty,” said Shapiro. “It powered the middle class, and allowed folks like you to put food on the table of your families, earn a great wage, and has helped lead to the creation of the modern day American labor movement.”
IAM Local 1400 (District 98) represents a large segment of the more than 1,000 workers at this sprawling factory. A Voith Hydro executive credited the “robust, highly skilled workforce” that has made the modern-day facility successful.
Voith has invested more than $20 million in upgrades to the factory in recent years. With the help of the IAM, Voight was able to secure a nearly $6 million grant for upgrades from the Inflation Reduction Act.
“Local 1400 has a strong history of respect from management here because this workforce always delivers,” said IAM District 98 Assistant Directing Business Representing Kermit Forbes, Jr. “These members know that union jobs here are key to manufacturing in America, and they want to keep those strong middle class jobs here and create more”.
“The demand for energy generation and storage is growing. Computer data centers, artificial intelligence, and other energy intensive industries are challenging our energy generation capacity,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Dedicated, skilled workers like our members at IAM Local 1400 are critical to staying ahead of America’s growing need for energy.”
Voith Hydro manufactures turbines used in electricity generation. The company’s legacy turbines are used in the Hoover Dam and the Sir Adam Beck Plants along the Niagara River in Canada.
See photos from the event here.
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