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Bill would allow teens to work in woods with
parent |
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March 10, 2017 |
Representative Raúl Labrador, member of the
House Natural Resources Committee, on Thursday
announced the reintroduction of the Future
Logging Careers Act, with original cosponsor
Bruce Poliquin of Maine.
The Future Logging Careers Act would amend the
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 so that 16 and
17 year olds would be allowed to work in
mechanized logging operations under parental
supervision.
“Idaho’s family owned and operated timber
companies are a vital part of our economy and an
important part of our history," Labrador said.
"This bill will allow parents to train the next
generation of loggers and business owners. This
bill solves a problem that is plaguing an entire
industry across the whole country. I look
forward to working with Representative Poliquin
and Chairwoman Foxx to advance this legislation
to support family businesses and expand
opportunities for young people to secure
good-paying jobs in Idaho.”
“Major advances have been made in Maine’s
logging industry in recent years that have
drastically improved worker safety,” said
Poliquin.“Unfortunately, outdated regulations
from Washington haven’t kept up, preventing
young Mainers from pursuing careers in the trade
in Maine, which largely consists of family-run
businesses that have operated for generations in
our State. I’m proud to join Congressman
Labrador in pushing forward this important
legislation to give young Mainers the
opportunities to pursue a career path in
logging, while also helping to maintain jobs in
the industry in Maine for many more generations
to come.”
“We strive to operate safely and want to be able
to pass along this generation’s skills in
professional harvesting to our next generation,”
said Shawn Keough, executive director of the
Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho.“This
bill will allow us to train those who wish to
follow in their family’s proud tradition. We
applaud Congressman Labrador for his
leadership.”
Timber harvesting operations are similar to
family farms with sophisticated and expensive
harvesting equipment that requires young men and
women to learn the intricacies of the business
prior to the age of 18.
However, young men and women in families who own
and operate timber harvesting companies are
denied the opportunity to work and learn the
family trade until they reach adulthood.
The Future Logging Careers Act is supported by
over 30 logging industry groups and companies,
including the American Loggers Council (ALC), a
non-profit organization representing timber
harvesters in 30 states. |
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