Although it is unlikely that the Keystone Pipeline project will create many permanent jobs, the AFL-CIO is poised to support construction of the pipeline.  

Matthew Yglesias : “The issue here, however, is all about the building trades unions. The building trades have been backing Keystone for a long time because from the viewpoint of a construction worker all jobs are temporary jobs. Actually building the pipeline will involve thousands of construction workers .”  

“If the State Department is giving it a thumbs up, then for all the unions that don’t care it’s not clear what’s gained by neutrality. And for the building trades the upside of building the pipeline remains what it ever was—construction jobs.”  

Crossposted at Wonk Wire.