AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the need for Congress to renew the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers (TAA) Program, which provides job training and other support to workers who lost their jobs due to overseas competition.
The TAA Program was first created in 1962 and renewed 18 times by Congress. However, it expired on July 1 due to a lack of Republican support, Redmond said. The program is critical, as it provides a workforce equipped to staff the jobs of the future, particularly at a time when domestic manufacturing is on the rebound, he noted. Redmon said the likelihood of TAA Program renewal will depend on the outcome of the upcoming mid-term elections.
He also talked about political canvassing conducted by AFL-CIO members ahead of the upcoming election. Union members are going door-to-door to talk with Brothers and Sisters about the issues meaningful to working families, and to educate them about the politicians who support the labor movement.
Lastly, Redmond spoke about the Permission to Dream program, a partnership between the AFL-CIO and the Chris Gardner Foundation, which gives students in disadvantaged communities the support they need to enter registered apprenticeship programs in the building trades.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.