Manufacturing a Better Future for America Tool Kit
"This financial crisis is a direct result of the greed and irresponsibility that has dominated Washington and Wall Street for years. It’s the result of speculators who gamed the system, regulators who looked the other way, and lobbyists who bought their way into our government. It’s the result of an economic philosophy that says we should give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else; a philosophy that views even the most common-sense regulations as unwise and unnecessary. Well, this crisis is nothing less than a final verdict on this failed philosophy." -- President Barack Obama, Oct. 2, 2008.
The global economic crisis has made it clear that an economy based solely on artificial wealth moved around financial markets does not work. We need our global economy, and our economy at home, to be based on making things and creating real wealth.
When we invest in modern, clean manufacturing at home, we get healthy businesses, prosperous communities, stable families and a strong, sustainable economy. Our manufacturing tool kit provides you with resources to help educate ourselves, our family and friends, co-workers, neighbors and politicians about why we need to invest in manufacturing. Check back often for updates.
American Jobs Act
In September 2011, President Obama proposed the American Jobs Act, which could create millions of jobs - many of them in manufacturing and USW sectors. Click here for a fact sheet on what this plan means for manufacturing.
Click here to visit the American Jobs Act tool kit.
China Cheats
In September 2011, a stunning new report that shows the growth of the U.S. trade deficit with China since that country entered the World Trade Organization in 2001 has had a devastating effect on U.S. workers and the domestic economy. Between 2001 and 2010, 2.8 million U.S. jobs were lost or displaced. Using a new model, the study by the Economic Policy Institute reveals a first look at how the growing trade deficits cost jobs in every congressional district, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. You can see data for all 437 districts by clicking on the states in the interactive map here.
Click here to view the Alliance for American Manufacturing's new ad calling on President Obama to get tough on China for manipulating its currency. Click here for the backstory.
Click here to read about the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act filed by U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Bob Casey (D-PA.)
Fight for Manufacturing Policy
January 2011 -- USW International Vice President Tom Conway recently appeared on the Leslie Marshall Radio Show to talk about he importance of manufacturing to the nation. Click here to listen.
Take Action
The USW marked the 40th anniverary of Earth Day this April by urging lawmakers to support policies that ensure American manufacturing capacity is used to meet the increasing demand for renewable energy production.
Billions of dollars are being invested to support the production of clean energy in the United States. However, Americans have been frustrated to learn that our efforts to create jobs here at home often result in the creation of manufacturing jobs in China and elsewhere. And at the same time that we've seen more solar and wind energy generating capacity created in the U.S., we face a "green" trade deficit and outsourcing in these key sectors.
Without properly designed tax and investment incentives for clean energy generation, loan guarantees for nuclear reactor construction, and other public investment, efforts to build our own clean energy manufacturing base could be unseated by subsidized imports from countries seeking to capitalize on new demand for clean energy products in the United States.
As Congress debates energy policy, the USW and Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) urges lawmakers to support Buy America domestic content requirements, increased access to capital for plant re-tooling, and the important 48c manufacturing tax credit for clean energy equipment. We don't want to replace Middle Eastern oil with made-in-China wind turbines and solar panels.
To learn more, click here for a fact sheet on clean energy manufacturing prepared by the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), United Steelworkers (USW), Blue-Green Alliance (BGA).
Together, we can keep it made in America.
***
In December, President Obama released his "Framework for Revitalizing American Manufacturing." The USW is supporting the president's plan as a good first step that signals the beginning of a shift in federal government policy. The framework makes clear that manufacturing is important to national economic strength.
Click here for our Dec. 17, 2009, press release about the plan, then write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper supporting it and urging others in your community to do the same. Click here for letter to the editor writing tips.
Click here to download the Framework for Revitalizing American Manufacturing. Read it and familiarize yourself with the proposal.
Call or write your members of Congress and the Senate and urge them to support the plan and do what they can to help renew domestic manufacturing and create good jobs. Share the plan with your friends, neighbors and others. Check back soon for more details about how you can get involved.
Click here to visit the AFL-CIO's Jobs Now page and get up to date on what President Richard Trumka is doing to help get our nation back to work.
Green Jobs, Good Jobs
There's a lot of talk these days about saving our environment. And rightly so. But we must make domestic manufacturing a part of that conversation. Importing products, including large wind turbines and other components that go into renewable energy sources, isn't very green. And, is it a good idea to use our taxpayer money to create manufacturing jobs in another country, when we could be making these products at home with the most efficient and productive work force in the world? Green jobs are the jobs of the future and we must fight for them here.
Visit our partners, the Blue Green Alliance, for more information about how you can make sure our green economy also means good jobs at home.
Click here for information on a Texas wind farm that's using China-made products but wants U.S. tax subsidies. Click here for a USW fact sheet on this important example.
Green jobs were discussed at the October 2009 "Building the New Economy" conference in Washington, D.C. USW International President Leo W. Gerard was involved as well as others. Here's a video highlight (Please scroll past the video to continue with the rest of the tool kit):
Fast Facts
• Every manufacturing job supports five more jobs.
• Manufacturing jobs pay an average 10 to 50 percent more than service sector jobs.
• Creating 2.5 million new manufacturing jobs would mean at least $100 billion for our economy over the
next decade.
• Domestic manufacturing is the green economy – it’s among the cleanest, most effi cient and
productive in the world.
Manufacturing Information
Click here to download the USW-endorsed Main Street Recovery Plan, which calls for an economic strategy to move towards sustainable, longterm growth, with blessings that are widely shared. The plan calls for increased government investment in public education, research and development of new technology, modern infrastructure and manufacturing, among other things.
Click here to download a summary of the new book, "Manufacturing a Better Future for America," produced by the Alliance for American Manufacturing. To purchase the full book, visit Amazon or other booksellers. The book provides an insightful discussion of the state of 21st Century U.S. manufacturing and the need to strengthen the manufacturing sector to meet new challenges. The authors thoroughly explode the myth all too prevalent in Washington that there can be an economic recovery of any consequence without a strategy for revitalizing American manufacturing.
USW International President Leo W. Gerard and AAM Executive Director Scott Paul debunk the myth of protectionism in a joint blog published by the Huffington Post. Click here to read the piece, which you can emmulate in letters to the editors, blogs or other publications.
Manufacturing Flyers
Click here to download a printable flyer that calls for an investment in manufaturing for stronger communities. (Labor Day 2009)
Click here to download a printable flyer that talks about why good jobs is morally the right thing to do. Suitable for church or other faith-based gatherings. (Labor Day 2009)
Click here to download a easy-print version (lighter colored) version of the faith-based manufacturing flyer. (Labor Day 2009)
Click here to download a flyer suitable for Labor Day events that highlights manufacturing, health care and free choice as the prescription for a healthy America.
Letters to the Editor Tips
Click here to download a tutorial on writing successful letters to the editor, blogs and other media commentary regarding manufacturing.
G-20 Materials:
Click here for talking points on globalization and the G-20
Click here for talking points explaining why we need to invest in good, green jobs.
Click here for talking points about why Pittsburgh's complex story as the Steel City serves as both a good and bad example of how to turn out economy around.
Click here for Campaign for America's Future report on Pittsburgh and the impact of manufacturing, "Pittsburgh: The Rest of the Story."
Click here for the "Pittsburgh Declaration," a set of demands from international union leaders, including USW's Leo W. Gerard, to the G-20 that include a call for another worldwide stimulus package focused on jobs.
Click here for talking points to help explain the Pittsburgh Declaration.
Click here for our Sept. 23, 2009, press release outlining our G-20 plan.
Auto Industry Bus Tour/Teach-In Materials
The auto industry is the foundation for American manufacturing. According to USW research, some 7.2 million jobs in the United States are connected to the auto industry. From paper workers making boxes to teachers, first responders and small-business owners, a healthy auto industry drives our nation.
That's why we're asking Congress and the Administration to support Our Plan to Drive America Forward, which lays out in five points the steps we need to take to protect and rebuild American manufacturing, the true gateway to the Middle Class and to the American Dream. Here are some tools that may help you learn about our plan and eductate your community so that others can join our movement.
Press Releases
Click here to view the May 19, 2009, press release about our teach-in and bus tour. It gives a good overview of what we're asking for and why.
Click here to view the May 7, 2009, press release about the 11-state Keep It Made in America bus tour.
Other Flyers and Hand-Outs
Click here to download the five-point Our Plan to Drive America Forward.
Petitions and Other Action Materials
Click here to sign a petition to Congress, calling on lawmakers to support policies that do not export jobs.
Presentations
Click here to download the Power Point presentation that gives an overview of the 7.2 million jobs connected to the auto industry and the economy impact of those jobs.
Click here to watch the series of videos produced for the Drive America Forward teach-in and presentations. Here's the main piece, "It's Your Fight, Too":
