Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Proposes Expansion of Buy Union Buy Pennsylvania Programs To Grow More Good Jobs Here

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale and Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder are encouraging Pennsylvanians to buy Union, buy Pennsylvania, buy American made products and services during the upcoming holiday season and throughout the year as one of the most direct ways that we can protect and grow good jobs for Pennsylvania workers and for business.  

During a press conference today they also urged state lawmakers and Governor Corbett to make it much easier for Pennsylvania shoppers to recognize Pennsylvania produced products by implementing a similar program to the Commonwealth's PA Preferred initiative. PA Preferred has been very successful in promoting agricultural products grown and produced in Pennsylvania.

State Representative Neal Goodman, D- Schuylkill, is proposing legislation to establish a similar marketing and promotional strategy for Pennsylvania manufactured products to help consumers identify Pennsylvania made products and services.

The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO also supports expansion of domestic content laws that gives preference to all Pennsylvania and American made products and services over imports in government procurement and in infrastructure projects.

State Representative Jesse White, D-Allegheny is proposing legislation (House Bill 974) that expands preference in procurement to all American made products whenever possible.

At a press conference held in the conference room of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, Bloomingdale and Snyder were joined by several members of the State General Assembly whom support buy Pennsylvania buy American policies and initiatives.

Also featured were a wide variety of products and services on display showcasing the many quality products that are still made right here in Pennsylvania by Pennsylvania workers and businesses.

"Manufacturing is still very much alive here in Pennsylvania and we believe that the conditions are ripe for a renaissance in Pennsylvania and across the United States. "Today we are proposing several initiatives and policies to keep this momentum going to rebuild and restore manufacturing in Pennsylvania," said President Bloomingdale.

"Pennsylvania is still home to some of the most skilled and productive workers in the world and we want to keep this tradition going for now and for generations to come. Manufacturing is essential to a strong, vibrant economy and an expanded middle class. By working together Pennsylvania labor, business and government can ensure a bright future for generations of skilled and productive workers across Pennsylvania," Bloomingdale added.

Underscoring the importance of consumer purchases in driving our economy, Secretary-Treasurer Snyder endorsed legislation proposed by State Representative Neal Goodman that creates a marketing and promotion program similar to the Commonwealth's PA Preferred marketing program. The program has been very successful in helping Pennsylvania farmers increase their sales of Pennsylvania produced agricultural goods and products. A similar program for Pennsylvania manufactured products will help workers and business promote and market manufactured products and services that are produced by Pennsylvania workers and businesses.

"Consumer purchases are the biggest driver of our economy and Pennsylvania shoppers want to keep it made in Pennsylvania and made in America. They know that they are getting the best value for their hard earned dollars and they know that they are supporting their neighbors, friends and families who live, work, own and run businesses in their communities. We need to make sure that buying Pennsylvania is as easy and convenient as possible for shoppers and we haven't seen anything that is more successful than the Pa Preferred in marketing and promoting Pennsylvania goods. We are confident this expansion will help create jobs here and it will improve economic recovery," Snyder said

President Bloomingdale and Secretary-Treasurer Snyder also thanked State Representative Mindy Fee (R-Manheim) for her sponsorship of House Resolution 477 which was unanimously approved by the State House of Representatives designating Tuesday November 19, 2013 as "American Made Matters Day". H.R. 477 encourages Pennsylvanians to buy at least one American made product that day and show their support for American Manufacturing.  

Another buy American initiative is House Bill 530, drafted by State Representative Paul Clymer, which will require State and Local government agencies to purchase American made United States flags. 

State Representative Jesse White, D-Allegheny; and State Representative Neal Goodman, D-Schuylkill; participated in the press conference encouraging support for their proposals and encouraging all Pennsylvanians to buy Pennsylvania buy American as the most direct way to protect and create good jobs in Pennsylvania and across America.

SOURCE Pennsylvania AFL-CIO