WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW) issued the following statement on release of the Obama Administration's framework for revitalizing manufacturing.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080131/DC12982LOGO )

"The Obama Administration's manufacturing framework plan signals the beginning of a shift in federal government policy. The framework makes clear that manufacturing is important to national economic strength. An action plan needs to be developed that not only stems the hemorrhage in terms of manufacturing capacity and employment, but puts the sector back on the path to growth and job creation. The framework will help spark a policy discussion about what needs to be done to revitalize manufacturing.

"The framework plan acknowledges that 5 million manufacturing jobs lost in the last 10 years and our $840 billion trade deficit cannot be sustained.

"In addition, we urge the Obama administration to call for strengthening the role of workers as partners in training and workforce development. In order to do this we must restore workers' freedom to form unions by passing the Employee Free Choice Act.

"In the days ahead, we look forward to working with the Administration and Congress in ensuring not only that actions are taken to make America a leader in the creation of clean and green jobs, but that we restore strength and vitality to our entire manufacturing sector and renew the promise of good jobs at good wages."

The USW is North America's largest industrial union, representing 850,000 actively employed workers in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy producing industries.

A copy of the Obama Administration's framework for revitalizing manufacturing is available at: www.usw.org/.

Contact: Gary Hubbard, 202-778-4384, 202-256-8125, ghubbard@usw.org

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.usw.org