VOTE NO ON PROP 45

Why Union Members Are Saying NO to Proposition 45

Proposition 45 Could Affect Our Jobs, Wages, and Working Conditions

For years, Building Trades unions have fought for good-paying jobs, strong benefits, safe working conditions, apprenticeship programs, and a voice in construction projects across California.

Proposition 45 could weaken some of the protections and processes unions use to advocate for workers and communities.

What Is Proposition 45?

Proposition 45 would change how certain projects are reviewed under California’s environmental laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Supporters say the measure will make it faster and cheaper to build projects. Opponents are concerned that faster approvals could mean less time for workers, unions, and communities to raise concerns about jobs, safety, environmental impacts, and working conditions.

Why Should Union Members Care?

Our jobs and wages depend on having a strong voice in the construction industry.

Union members have fought for:

• Good wages and benefits
• Prevailing wages
• Safe working conditions
• Strong apprenticeship programs
• Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)
• High-quality construction
• A voice in major construction projects

We don’t want decisions about our jobs to be made only around how cheaply or quickly a project can be built.

What About Housing and Affordability?

Supporters of Proposition 45 say it will help make California more affordable and increase construction.

But changing the environmental review process does not automatically mean that housing will become cheaper.

The cost of housing is affected by many factors, including land, financing, interest rates, materials, labor, and local development costs.

There is no guarantee that any savings from Proposition 45 would be passed on to working families.

What About Worker Safety?

OSHA protects workers while they are on the job.

CEQA is different. It provides a process for identifying environmental and community concerns before certain projects move forward.

Union members believe workers and communities should have an opportunity to raise concerns before construction begins, not after a problem occurs.

What About Union Jobs?

Building Trades members want projects in California to create quality, family-supporting careers.

We want developers and contractors to compete based on quality, safety, training, and good working conditions, not simply on who can do the work for the lowest cost.

Our concern is that changes to the project approval process could reduce opportunities for unions to advocate for strong labor standards and PLAs.

What Can We Do?

This is about protecting the future of construction work in California.

Talk to your family. Talk to your coworkers. Learn what Proposition 45 would change and make a plan to vote.

VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 45

Our wages.
Our benefits.
Our safety.
Our jobs.
Our families’ future.

Stand together. Stay informed. Protect the voice of working people.

In Solidarity,

Carpet, Linoleum & Soft Tile Workers Local Union 12