Wednesday, May 22, 2024 | 2 a.m.
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My family is my life, and I’m grateful that the Biden administration’s infrastructure legislation was written with families like mine in mind. Not only is it expected to create 2 million jobs per year through the course of a decade, it incentivizes companies to hire union workers and pay non-union laborers a fair prevailing wage. This protection of wages for millions of workers gives us a real chance to grow the middle class, and marks the difference between delivering jobs and building careers.
Just five years ago, I was a construction worker having my hard-earned wages stolen from me. I was young; I didn’t know about my rights, and my former employer took advantage of that. I just wanted to make money. It wasn’t until a union organizer came to my job site that I realized how powerful unions can be. They protect you from corporations that think just because you’re an immigrant, or labor worker, they can treat you less than human.
Knowing that job protections and benefits are included with the thousands of projects and jobs coming to Nevada, I know that my future work will allow me to not just tread water, but thrive. My wife can go to the doctor if she needs to, without worrying if we’ll have enough money to cover our bills. I can take my kids to Disneyland, and give them memorable childhood experiences.
The Biden administration is the most pro-union administration we’ve had and, by default, the most pro-worker administration we’ve had. We know that where unions are strong, wages are higher for the typical worker — both union and non-union. This is because through collective bargaining, union members can negotiate for more competitive wages, which has a ripple effect on local labor markets. For example, in unionized Las Vegas, hospitality workers in general enjoy a much higher living standard than those in Reno, where unions are weaker. More unions mean higher pay and safer, better working conditions for all. I’m glad to have a presidential administration that prioritizes worker protections and building the middle class.
When I think back to the days before I joined the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), I remember seeing workers fall and get hurt, and they were left alone to fend for themselves, with no help, health care or protection. When we used to travel to Reno or Arizona or Utah for work, we got no per diem. My pay stubs didn’t look right. I was promised $15 an hour but the stubs said I was getting $8.25, and anything more would be a “bonus.” There was no bonus, it was just shady business. This happened for 10 years. We were all immigrants, we didn’t know our rights. But I just got tired of it. Tired of the broken promises by corporations and the leaders who sided with them.
Those days are behind me. Now, I’m a proud union organizer with DC16 in Las Vegas. The union is a strong community, now growing even more, getting stronger, more diversified. We all take care of each other. If we see an apprentice having trouble, if you get a ticket, or you need gas, we pass a hat to collect money for the person in need. We’ve all been there as young people trying to improve. It’s a strong community. I’m proud to be a union member. Wages and benefits are nice, but also it’s a brotherhood; a sisterhood.
Still, I’ll never forget what it was like to be a young construction worker, working long days and giving my all, only to get very little back. I can’t leave behind my non-union brothers and sisters. I want for them to have what I have in my union community. I want for all workers to have the dignity we deserve. I want for us to play with our kids on Sundays, instead of chasing a side hustle.
The Biden administration’s infrastructure bill is a huge step toward that. It’s America investing in America. More good-paying, quality jobs isn’t just good for unions, it’s good for everybody. And that’s important to me because if your neighbor is doing alright, you should be doing alright.
Cristian Cespedes is a union organizer with IUPAT District Council 16 in Las Vegas where he resides.
