Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
Investment in Physical, Social Infrastructure Key to Shared Economic Gains
United Steelworkers (USW) International President Tom Conway issued the following statement today in anticipation of President Joe Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress:
“Over the course of his first 100 days in office, President Biden laid out decisive plans to not only combat the Covid-19 crisis head-on, but also to make bold investments in our physical and social infrastructures so that we can put our country on a path toward widespread economic security and shared prosperity.
“President Biden understood that the only way to rebuild our shattered economy and create good, family-sustaining jobs was to first address the pandemic and invest in public health, schools, unemployment benefits and other vital services.
“But our nation is facing other challenges, including rapidly increasing economic inequality, that extend well beyond the past year.
“Our union agrees with President Biden that transformative infrastructure investment is one of the most effective ways to revitalize our manufacturing sector, create good paying jobs, rebuild the middle class and keep our communities safe now and into the future.
“Investing not only in our crumbling roads, bridges, waterways and other transportation networks, but also in our schools, communication systems, public health and much more, will create jobs and make our workplaces safer.
“Providing resources for services like child care, paid family leave and continuing education will make our families more secure.
“There’s still a great deal of work to do to make President Biden’s vision a reality. As Congress begins fashioning legislation around these vital issues, we urge them, like the president, to keep workers and their families at the forefront so that we lift up all Americans.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.