Tom Buffenbarger, former General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss pressing economic issues affecting American workers. Buffenbarger shared insights on the Cleveland Cliffs steel plant in Middletown, Ohio, the impact of tariffs on the agricultural industry and the broader implications of the current administration’s policies on working-class communities.
Buffenbarger expressed concern over Cleveland Cliffs' decision to withdraw modernization plans for its Middletown, Ohio, steel plant. The project to convert the mill’s furnace from coal to hydrogen power was initially supported by billions in federal funding. The new furnace was expected to secure jobs and boost the local economy. Buffenbarger said the cancelled project now raises questions about long-term job security and economic stability in the region. He emphasized the importance of investing in domestic manufacturing capabilities to maintain competitiveness in the global market.
Implementing new tariffs, particularly on agricultural equipment, is causing significant disruptions in the industry. Buffenbarger highlighted how these policies can lead to layoffs at companies like CNH Industrial and John Deere, affecting workers represented by the IAM. He warned that increased costs for farmers could lead to higher food prices for consumers and potentially incentivize companies to move production overseas, further impacting American jobs.
Buffenbarger then critiqued the current administration's policies, arguing they often harm the communities that support him. He pointed to cuts in Medicaid and other social programs, noting that many of these changes are strategically timed to take effect after the upcoming elections. Buffenbarger stressed the importance of voters critically examining candidates' records and the real-world impacts of their policies on working-class Americans.
Listen to the full episode for more of Buffenbarger's insights on the challenges facing American workers and the labor movement.
America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.
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