President Biden signed a groundbreaking Executive Order today in Michigan, marking a significant step in his administration’s efforts to promote high-quality jobs and strengthen labor standards.
The order, dubbed the “Good Jobs EO,” seeks to ensure that the government’s massive investments in infrastructure and clean energy translate into better opportunities for American workers.
“Wall Street did not build America; the middle class built America, and unions built the middle class,”
Biden declared during the signing ceremony at UA Local 190’s Job Training Center.
Strengthening Labor Standards
The Good Jobs EO outlines a comprehensive set of labor standards that federal agencies are encouraged to prioritize when implementing the administration’s Investing in America agenda. These standards include promoting worker voice through Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and voluntary union recognition, providing tools to promote high-wage jobs, and supporting workforce development through registered apprenticeships and partnerships with training organizations.
Quick View:
- Executive Order promotes strong labor standards in federally funded projects
- Encourages use of Project Labor Agreements and Community Benefits Agreements
- Creates new Investing in Good Jobs Task Force in the Executive Office of the President
- Builds on previous administration actions supporting union jobs and worker organizing
- Aims to leverage $900 billion in private-sector investment in clean energy and manufacturing
Implementation Strategies
To enact these standards, the order outlines several strategies for federal agencies:
- Incentivize strong labor standards through application evaluation criteria
- Issue guidance and best practices
- Collect data on job quality for accountability
- Conduct pre-award negotiations for key programs
- Develop in-house expertise on labor standards
The administration aims to embed these practices across grant programs, consistent with applicable law. A notable pilot study at the Department of Transportation yielded 22 PLA commitments and 34 new registered apprenticeship programs, demonstrating the potential impact of these strategies.
Broader Economic Impact
Economic Indicator | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Jobs Created | Nearly 16 million since 2021 |
| Private Investment | $900 billion in clean energy and manufacturing |
| Clean Energy Jobs | Growing at 2x rate of overall job growth |
| Clean Energy Unionization | Highest level in history |
The Good Jobs EO is part of a larger economic strategy that has already shown significant results. With nearly 16 million jobs created since 2021 and the lowest average unemployment rate of any administration in 50 years, the Biden-Harris team is positioning this order as a catalyst for further growth and opportunity.
“By prioritizing high-road labor standards in our federal investments, we’re not just creating jobs – we’re creating pathways to the middle class,”
stated the Director of the National Economic Council and Task Force co-chair.
Impact and Implications
The executive order’s reach extends beyond immediate job creation, potentially reshaping the landscape of federal contracting and grant-making.
By emphasizing union rights, workplace safety, and equitable hiring practices, the administration aims to set a new standard for job quality in both public and private sectors. The order’s focus on clean energy and manufacturing aligns with broader goals of economic modernization and climate action.
A New Chapter in Labor Policy
The Good Jobs Executive Order represents a significant shift in how the federal government approaches job creation and worker protections.
By leveraging the power of federal spending to promote strong labor standards, the Biden-Harris administration is betting on a worker-centric approach to economic growth.
All eyes will be on how policies translate into real-world outcomes for American workers and the broader US economy.
Sources: THX News & The White House.
