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 Columbus, OH
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.
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), together with U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN), recently introduced legislation to fight back against unfair trade practices and protect workers. The “Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act,” which had significant bipartisan support, would have strengthened the Commerce Department’s authority to conduct investigations and enforce our trade agreements. [Axios, 9/19/2023]
Better Jobs and Higher Wages In the last few years, Congress has passed 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 Senator Sherrod Brown worked with elected leaders and the Biden Administration to pass legislation that will ease the burden on working families and help with costs like health care, prescription drugs, and energy costs.
Here in Ohio, good-paying of the future Appalachia a
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 OHIO’S WORKERS: MANDATING THAT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS USE AMERICAN-MADE STEEL U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown has been a steadfast ally of working Ohioans, with a long history of bipartisan efforts to negotiate better trade agreements and worker protections. Senator Brown worked with Democrats and Republicans to pass a law requiring the federal government to use American-made steel in all its infrastructure projects, supporting thousands of jobs.
Senator Sherrod Brown discusses trade deal bill with Valley steel workers
, these historic investments have helped create g manufacturing jobs and are growing the industries e, like clean hydrogen and uranium enrichment in and Joby Aviation’s flying cars in Dayton. [Cleveland.com, 10/13/2023; E&E News, 12/8/2023; The Columbus Dispatch, 9/18/2023]
Senator Brown joined Mahoning Valley workers and leaders at the USW Local 1375 hall to discuss his efforts to push the Biden Administration to drop the entire trade pillar from their proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. “My values have always been clear: no trade deals without strong, enforceable labor standards—standards that guarantee Ohio workers a real, level playing field.”
[WFMJ, 1/3/2024]
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]
Contact Senator Sherrod Brown and thank him for standing up for hardworking Ohioans. Call his office at (202) 224-2315 or visit brown.senate.gov/contact to send an email.
Visit www.inunionusa.com to see how Ohio’s members of Congress voted on important legislation that impacts working people.
In Union Ohio 20525 Center Ridge Road, Suite 700 Rocky River, OH 44116
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
PAID
UNI24015
DS
Paid for by In Union USA Action
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.
Cost-Cutting Tips to Help Working People Get Ahead Make your dollars go further when paying for gas, shopping for groceries, or buying meals with Upside. Use their app and earn cash back when shopping for everyday necessities. Learn more at upside.com
Save up to 80% on your prescriptions with SingleCare prescription coupons. Compare Rx prices from your local pharmacies to get the best prescription prices. Learn more at singlecare.com
Reduce credit card costs by asking your credit card company to lower or eliminate your fees. According to a LendingTree study, 93% of consumers who asked for reduced fees last year were successful. Learn more at lendingtree.com/credit-cards/study/lower-apr-requests/
www.inunionusa.com
info@inunionusa.com
@inunionusa