February 2024
FIGHTING FOR FAIR TRADE, BETTER WAGES, AND A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR WORKERS As the economic recovery continues, working people are showing their strength, calling on our elected leaders to build a fair economy that benefits everyone. And many are responding, as we see renewed efforts to secure fair trade, better wages, and lower costs for families. In this issue of In Union, we’ll dive deeper into these important issues and examine what is being done to safeguard our economic future and ensure our hard work pays off.
“We need to make life a little bit easier for American workers: stop the bad trade deals, pass a middle-class tax cut, and invest in good jobs that pay a solid wage.” —Donnie Blatt Union Leader, USW District 1
FAIR TRADE. HIGHER WAGES. REDUCING COSTS. WORKING PEOPLE ARE HOLDING OUR LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE. A Path to Fair Trade Free trade policies in the U.S. have consistently benefited global corporations at the expense of working people. Workers need fair trade policies that will protect American jobs and crack down on foreign countries like China that manipulate trade rules.
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-07) is a member of the Labor Caucus who has worked to secure pro-worker protections in U.S. trade agreements. Congresswoman Slotkin has also traveled to Taiwan, the auto industry’s largest supplier of microchips, to address supply-chain issues that directly impact Michigan workers. [Business Insider, 11/26/2021]
Better Jobs and Higher Wages In just the last few years, President Biden has worked with leaders like Congresswoman Slotkin to pass landmark legislation—including the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. These laws are driving an economic agenda that puts working people first by investing in our communities, creating millions of jobs, and helping to grow the middle class.
Reducing Costs Leaders including Congresswoman Slotkin worked with the Biden Administration to pass legislation that accomplishes one of President Biden’s top priorities: easing the burden on working families by lowering costs like health care, prescription drugs, and energy costs.
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The Inflation Reduction Act reduces costs by a with drug companies, requiring drug companie more than the rate of inflation, capping the pr drug costs at $2,000 per year for Medicare be energy-efficient appliances and home energy
[CNBC, 8/10/2023; Kiplinger.com, 9/18/2023; K Consumer Reports, 8/12/2022; Green Business
STANDING UP FOR MICHIGAN’S WORKERS The Biden Administration is investing $15.5 billion to upgrade existing automotive manufacturing facilities here in Michigan and across the country. Speaking of his commitment to secure the future of automotive manufacturing here in America, President Biden said:
Congresswoman Slotkin meets with UAW members.
higan, these historic investments are continuing ood-paying jobs and strengthen supply chains, as ctor producers like Mersen in Bay City and Hemlock Township expand capacity and solidify Michigan as a s critical industry. [ABC12 News, 6/29/2023; CAP Action, 10/6/2023]
allowing Medicare to negotiate the best deal possible es to pay an “inflation rebate” if they raise prices rice of insulin at $35 per month and out-of-pocket eneficiaries, and providing tax credits and rebates on y systems.
Kaiser Family Foundation, 1/24/2023; Axios, 8/11/2022; s Network, 2/16/2023; energy.gov, updated 3/2023]
“This funding from my Investing in America agenda will further that goal by creating auto manufacturing jobs here at home and helping companies avoid painful plant closings—and to retool, reboot, and rehire in the same factories and communities with high wages. This funding will help existing workers keep their jobs and have the first shot to fill new good jobs as the car industry transforms for future generations.” [CNN, 8/31/2023; energy.gov, 8/31/2023; Spectrum News, 8/31/2023]
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin has been outspoken in her criticism of U.S. Steel’s pending sale to Japan’s largest steel producer, Nippon Steel, citing the lack of protections for the jobs and rights of Michigan’s workers. “U.S. Steel cut thousands of autoworkers out of the decision to be sold to a foreign company and have offered no promises to keep those good-paying manufacturing jobs in America… which is why I’m pushing for it to be reviewed with serious scrutiny,” Slotkin said. [WLNS, 1/4/2024]
Visit www.inunionusa.com to see how Michigan’s members of Congress voted on important legislation that impacts working people.
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In Union is a project supported by a group of unions. We’ll provide you with research on issues that affect working people’s lives, examine the records of elected officials on those issues, and give you ways to hold your elected representatives accountable. In Union is not affiliated with, does not take contributions from, and does not make contributions to any candidates or political parties. For more information, please visit www.inunionusa.com.
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