Foreign countries have been taking advantage of relaxed trade laws for decades. Thankfully, it has become a bipartisan issue to close loopholes and write legislation putting the U.S. back on track.
North Coast Area Labor Federation President Pat Gallagher discussed bipartisan legislation being introduced, a new iron ore plant in Toledo, Ohio and why it is crucial to get bipartisan support for the PRO Act on America’s Work Force Union Podcast.
American manufacturing legislation
Gallagher said that Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman of Ohio will soon introduce legislation to close loopholes and make manufacturing competition fair for American manufacturing companies.
Foreign companies who do not practice safe environmental laws and lack labor laws are dumping their product in the U.S. at very low rates, making it difficult for American manufacturers to compete.
Gallagher said the issue is Bipartisan and may spark a new era of compromise between Republicans and Democrats.
Expanding manufacturing in Toledo
Ohio based Cleveland Cliffs recently opened an iron ore plant in Toledo. The plant will produce a more pure iron that will result in higher quality products.
Gallagher said the United Steelworkers worked diligently to organize the workers at the plant. While the organizing drive went well, they are still working on ratifying a first contract.