Contact: Joe Smydo, jsmydo@usw.org, 412-562-2281
United Steelworkers (USW) International President Tom Conway issued the following statement today in response to the Biden administration’s release of interim guidance for using American-made materials and products in projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA):
“President Joe Biden’s interim Build America, Buy America guidance will ensure that publicly funded infrastructure projects help to rebuild the nation’s manufacturing base, strengthen supply chains and support good-paying jobs for U.S. workers.
“The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the feeble state of American manufacturing, while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drove home once again the danger of relying on foreign-sourced products. A reinvigorated industrial base will help to safeguard America’s economy and security.
“America’s workers stand ready not only to build new transportation systems, communicationsnetworks and other infrastructure through the IIJA, but to supply the raw materials, parts and components needed for all of those projects.
“These workers lead the world in responsible production practices, and they’ll deliver unparalleled quality, ensuring new roads, bridges and other improvements stand the test of time.
“The USW looks forward to working with President Biden and his administration to finalize the Build America, Buy America guidance and unlock the full power of the IIJA.”
The USW represents 850,000 men and women 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 public sector and service occupations.