Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the advantage of fulfilling the nation’s military needs domestically, especially in light of the tragic war in Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine has made it clear why “Buy America” campaigns are critical to maintaining domestic independence, Buffenbarger said. The U.S. military relies on a significant portion of products and weapons made outside of the U.S. He questioned what would happen if the U.S. suddenly came under trade embargoes or sanctions, or if a country producing these goods suffered a catastrophic event or became our enemy.
The U.S. needs to maintain or develop the ability to manufacture its defense items domestically, Buffenbarger added.
He also spoke about the need to support fellow union Brothers and Sisters in Ukraine, a country with strong union membership.
Lastly, Buffenbarger discussed the Federal Railway Labor Act, which prevents rail workers from going on strike. Poor working conditions caused many workers to leave the railway industry, which further exacerbated the nation’s supply chain problems, he said.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics: