U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer commenced her nationwide "America at Work" listening tour in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, on April 5, 2025. Accompanied by Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., union leaders, and local officials, Chavez-DeRemer initiated discussions on workforce development at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 163 Joint Apprenticeship Training Center.
Key topics during the roundtable included strategies for bolstering apprenticeships, enhancing infrastructure to attract businesses, and supporting transitioning service members. Participants in the roundtable included union workers from diverse trades such as electricians, ironworkers, and boilermakers, alongside state and local elected officials.
Chavez-DeRemer expressed her commitment to the initiative, stating, “From strengthening educational pathways for good-paying jobs to eliminating burdensome regulations that will drive economic growth, I enjoyed learning first-hand about the challenges and priorities of workers in Northeastern Pennsylvania.” She emphasized her eagerness to listen directly to more Americans to amplify workers' voices.
Rep. Bresnahan underscored the importance of a skilled trade workforce for essential infrastructure projects. "These strong workforces would not be possible without apprenticeships," he remarked, adding his gratitude to the Secretary for choosing Northeastern Pennsylvania as the tour's starting point.
As part of her tour, Chavez-DeRemer aims to engage with numerous stakeholders including workers, union members, employers, and community leaders. Her goal is to utilize these real-world experiences to influence and modernize federal labor policies and practices, bringing the discussion directly to the American workforce.
