Trumka: Grow America’s Economy by Investing in Infrastructure, Job Development
U.S. economic and trade policies over the past three decades have led to jobs lost offshore and a shrinking middle class, and the United States must address this economic bleed through trade policies and investment in infrastructure and manufacturing, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said today.
Speaking this morning to the International Economic Development Council, Trumka said the United States must invest in building the 21st century infrastructure necessary for our future, including high-speed mass transit, smart utilities and universal high-speed broadband. That investment, in turn, would boost manufacturing because we will then:
buy what we need in America—from concrete, wire, steel and pipes to high-speed trains. And all this will restore revenues for crucial state and local services.
‘Show Us the Tax Breaks’ Debuts in Washington
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We’ve all seen big corporations dangle the promise of jobs and economic nirvana over the heads of competing local and state governments, demanding they roll over and offer up big tax breaks, subsidies and other “incentives.” Whoever offers the best corporate welfare, wins the corporate “treat.”
But a new short film—”Show Us the Tax Breaks”—demontrates that all-too often, the jobs and economic benefits promised by corporations fall far short of promises. Sometimes, they just take the money and run, leaving communities in economic ruin.
“Show Us the Tax Breaks” premieres in Washington, D.C., Thursday, following a panel discussion with union leaders, economic and development experts and congressional members, who will explore how real economic recovery strategies must address the creation of good jobs and the role of corporate subsidies in our current economic climate.
NAFTA Has Failed; New Development Plan Needed
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The governments of the United States, Canada and Mexico must take serious and comprehensive measures to address the dual impact of the global economic recession and the 15-year legacy of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), labor leaders of the three countries said in a joint declaration.
The “Tri-National Labor Declaration on Social and Economic Prosperity for North America” points out that the Leaders Summit in Mexico City earlier this week was an opportunity to lay out a new agenda for North America, one that could make our region competitive, sustainable and just.
NAFTA did not create thousands of promised good jobs—the jobs it did create were less stable, with lower wages and fewer benefits, the leaders said. Increased trade largely benefited the corporate elite in all three countries, and income inequality has also grown in the region, they said. And the economic crisis has only exacerbated the problems.
