Union leaders urge governors to support 'Made in America' legislation

With the sound of jackhammers in the distance, union activists urged the nation's governors to support the creation of jobs in this country, and back "Made in America" legislation.

Phil Neuenfeldt, president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, told supporters gathered at Zeidler Union Square Park that it was time for a "jobs dialog" with governors. He implored governors to put aside partisan politics "and think about the average worker."

"Let's keep jobs here in Wisconsin and here in America," Neuenfeldt said.

Heath Verbockel, a member of the United Steelworkers and a paper worker for Appleton Coated, said he had seen mills close in Wisconsin. "Six hundred jobs went out the door" at one plant, he said.

Those jobs can endure in Wisconsin, he said, if Gov. Scott Walker directed state government to buy only paper products made in the state.

"If we make it here, let's buy it here," Verbockel said.

Tom Evenson, a Walker spokesman, did not directly address the paper issue, but issued this statement in response.

"Gov. Walker's number one goal is helping the private sector create Wisconsin jobs. After losing nearly 134,000 jobs in the four years before Gov. Walker took office, Wisconsin has gained over 62,000 private-sector jobs in the first two years of his term. This is the best two-year job gains of any governor in over a decade. We're heading in the right direction."

A number of unions were represented at the rally, held just blocks from the Wisconsin Center where the National Governors Association is meeting this weekend. Unions included the United Steelworkers, AFSCME, the Milwaukee Teachers Education Assocation, the United Food and Commercial Workers, the United Auto Workers, Wisconsin Building and Trades, and the National Association of Letter Carriers.

Meghan McKeefry, a field coordinator with the Alliance for American Manufacturing, said growth in the nation's manufacturing sector was vital to a stronger economy.

"American workers deserve a first shot at rebuilding America's infrastructure," she said.

The alliance, which tracks manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin and around the country, reports that 40,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in the state in the last decade.

Steve Breitlow, the business manager for Plumbers Local 75 of the Wisconsin Building and Trades, said rebuilding roads, highways and bridges were critical to long-term economic growth.

"We hope the NGA hears us loud and clear," Breitlow said.

At the rally, union organizers also sought signatures on petitions to Walker and other elected representatives. The petitions ask officials to support the right of all workers to have a union.

"Any attack on union members is a direct attack on the middle class families of Wisconsin who are already struggling to survive in this economy," the petition stated.

Source: http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/union-leaders-urge-governors-to-support-made-in-america-legislation-b9968086z1-218224861.html

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