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CONSTRUCTION UNIONS FOR MINE?
WPR News - Construction unions for mine?
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Wednesday March 07, 2012
by Chuck Quirmbach
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(MILWAUKEE) Some construction unions are making a late push for a bill that would help
open a large taconite mine in Northern Wisconsin.
A few hundred union members including Laborers, Iron Workers, Operating Engineers, Carpenters and Pipefitters rallied at the State Capitol, in hopes of getting the senate to pass a business-backed mining bill. Terry Macgowan is president of the Operating Engineers Local 139, which represents 9000 people who operate bulldozers, cranes and other heavy equipment. Macgowan, who also endorsed Scott Walker during the 2010 governor's race, says having a big mine in Ashland and Iron Counties would help reduce double-digit unemployment for construction workers.
A lot of the spotlight in the state Senate has been on Richland Center Republican Dale Schultz, who has been promoting a mining bill that would keep more environmental protections than would other measures being debated. Macgowan says he has union members who are well acquainted with Senator Schultz.
Amber Meyer Smith of Clean Wisconsin says mining companies haven't always kept their promises with labor unions. She says the unions are focused on the wrong bill at the State Capitol.
No word on when the Senate might take any vote on the mining legislation.
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