U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the pro-labor legislation she introduced into the 118th Congress, her history with labor unions and the new Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party.
Sherrill represents New Jersey’s 11th District, which is comprised of rural and suburban areas just west of New York City. The district includes the suburbs of Newark, an area of nearly 800,000 residents.
At the start of the 118th Congress, Sherrill was ready to make improvements as she submitted five bills for consideration within the first three months. She explained that her proposed legislation is designed to improve the labor force and assist with the growth and development of unions. H.R.818, she noted, seeks to increase labor representation from 20 percent to 30 percent for state and local workforce development boards.
Sherrill said she grew up in a pro-union household with a grandfather who was a steelworker. She believes the union benefits allowed her family to get into the middle class. One way for families to get into the middle class is to work union jobs in the manufacturing sector. Unfortunately, over 170,000 New Jersey residents lost their jobs when work was sent overseas to China. Across the U.S., the number of jobs lost to China is nearly 4 million. Sherrill serves on the Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the U.S. and Chinese Communist Party and discussed her efforts to even the playing field so the U.S. manufacturing industry can compete with Chinese manufacturers.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.