Building Trades News

Hoorah! We've won the election. The Craft unions' members, as well as all other unions around the country have made the critical difference in so many elections it's hard to keep track. Candidates for Congress and the State Legislature in California who support workers issues have been elected in a strong statement by the Voters. They have said that they want Change and the successful candidates were campaigning for Change. Now is the time for Change to be implemented.

Even in Colorado, where the anti-worker Coor's family funded a "No Rights at Work" ballot initiative, Labor was successful. We beat the initiative, called Measure 47, soundly, by turning out workers to vote and contributing to the anti-Measure 47 campaign, so that the truth about it could be advertised. This was an example of worker action across the country. But, this can't be the end of our involvement.

President Obama has his hands full, even as President Elect. He will be facing an economic meltdown, a housing foreclosure crisis across the United States, job losses in every industry, wars being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan with $10 billion a month (that we know about) being spent and a $12 trillion national debt. That doesn't include states near bankruptcy and national infrastructure that is falling apart.

The Congress will surely tighten its purse strings in some areas; however, the new President and Congress can work together on many other issues that can have a huge impact on our economy. Changing trade agreements to give both workers and American industry a better shot at a share of the economic pie would be a tremendous start. The flood of cheap imports, being manufactured at wages that no worker should have to or could compete with, has to be stemmed. Signing these agreements with no Congressional hearings or debate on the floor of the House of Representatives can't go on. Also, implementing his middle-income tax cut, getting rid of the failed "trickle-down" economic theory and returning to a more consumer based system. If "consumers" have money, manufacturers of cars, electronic equipment, clothing and other consumer goods will begin to expand jobs to put Americans back to work.

Because much of the problem with the economy is reduced spending by business and families across the country, and log-jammed capital caused by lenders holding back lending to developers and business that need operating cash and the most critical concern – the layoff hundreds of thousands of workers in every business segment, change must come quickly. Without jobs and putting money in the hands of consumers nothing that the administration can do will matter. First and foremost, this administration needs to invest in Public Works Projects to "prime the pump." Craftsmen and women across the country are trained and ready to take on the task of modernizing our infrastructure and along with their partner contractors, Craft unions are ready to train those who want a career and will be needed throughout the construction industry. The construction industry has been the precursor to economic turndowns and recovery. With our neglected, decaying and worn-out infrastructure, and the need for investment, we have the ability to rebuild our publicly owned bridges, roads, buildings, dams, schools and parks at the same time as we create the good jobs needed to strengthen the economy for all Americans.

Now, with President-elect Obama having selected Congressman Rahm Emanuel as his Chief of Staff, and reviewing a list of strong candidates for they other cabinet positions, we can expect that the coordination between the administration and the Congressional leadership will be convincing and steady. All of the individuals who are being vetted for the White House cabinet positions have the extreme amount of experience necessary to steer the country back on to the right track quickly. We need swift action and this President is showing all the thought and care that we saw during the campaign that is needed to implement a sound, long-term plan. This can be the "New, New Deal" that America has needed over the last 50 years to re-establish the American dream for everyone.

With the great pride we all have in electing new leadership comes our responsibility in making sure that they do what they said. President-Elect Obama is facing challenges, if he can meet them, that will secure his greatness. With the plans that he has put forth, and with continued pressure from we who elected him, America will see great days ahead.