With chants of "jobs now," USW International President Leo W. Gerard today led action at the AFL-CIO convention on some of the key issues facing our country. Convention delegates - representatives of labor from around the nation - are taking up resolutions involving the economy, green jobs, health care and more.
Gerard, chairman of the AFL's Public Policy Committee, said President Obama has made some progress in helping get people back to work and fix our economy, but that more needs to be done.
He said that's the goal of the many resolutions being introduced today, including Resolution 3, which calls for greater regulation of the financial markets, enforcement of trade rules, job creation and other action to grow the middle class by strenghtening the economy with real reform.
"We must stand together to rebuild our economy," Gerard said.
The resolution was passed unanimously. Also passed unanimously were:
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Resolution 10, Creating and Retaining Sustainable Good Green Jobs
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Resolution 12, A Strong Public Sector
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Resolution 20, Call for a National Jobs Now Initiative - An Agenda to Put Americans Back to Work
You can follow the convention action, including President Gerard's committee action, live here.
USW International Vice President Fred Redmond spoke in support of Resolution 3, calling it "a real comprehensive strategy for economic recovery. Thousands of our members have been severely impacted by bad trade deals, but most especially the lack of a real economic policy that will alllow our members to compete on a level playing field."
Redmond lauded the resolutions' focus on strengthing the domestic manufacturing sector.
"We know America works best when we build things. A healthy manufacturing sector is essential in this country for our economic recovery," Redmond said. Click here to visit the USW's manufacturing tool kit for more information about our union's efforts.
President Barack Obama is scheduled to speak to the delegates later today about the need for health insurance reform. Stay tuned to www.usw.org for coverage.
