Walmart’s Made in USA Campaign more PR than Jobs

Back in 2013, Walmart, the world’s largest retailer announced with great fanfare a commitment to buy $50 Billion in Made in USA products by 2023. They predicted that this plan would create 1 million new U.S. jobs, with 250,000 in direct manufacturing and 750,000 in support and services. The company even released a “Policy Roadmap to Renew U.S. Manufacturing.”   It was an ironic move for a company that’s the poster-child of driving jobs overseas. The stories of Walmart pushing out countless mom and pop shops in [...]

Walmart’s Made in USA Campaign more PR than Jobs 2017-10-20T22:52:22+00:00

Outfoxed and Outconned: Corporate Giveaways Run Amok

When news broke that Foxconn – the company which makes the iPhone – had decided to build a factory in Wisconsin, politicians like Governor Scott Walker jumped with joy. Foxconn announced it would invest as much as $10 billion and hire as many as 13,000 at a new plant manufacturing LCDs, the flat panel displays used in televisions, tablets and other electronics. The Foxconn facility would be the only LCD manufacturing facility in North America and the only one outside of Asia.   Press release after press [...]

Outfoxed and Outconned: Corporate Giveaways Run Amok 2017-10-11T18:30:59+00:00

Why Consumers Should Care About Build Buy USA

Q&A with UAW International President Dennis Williams.   In the face of constant assaults from a labor-hostile presidential administration and congress, UAW President Dennis Williams has said that American workers “need champions now more than ever.” Williams, a UAW member for 40 years, recently shared his thoughts on the Build Buy USA initiative.   Explain the importance of Build Buy USA and engaging consumers in this initiative.   Dennis Williams: When the debate was going on about trade agreements, the American public and working men and women [...]

Why Consumers Should Care About Build Buy USA 2017-10-05T21:50:38+00:00

USA-Made Goods Worth Their Price

Supporters of “Free Trade” argue that it gives Americans the chance to buy cheap goods that help stretch the family budget. It’s probably the one time you’ll hear the U.S. Chamber of Commerce showing any interest in the American family’s budget.   And it’s true:  when you compare similar goods made here and abroad, there’s often a cost differential that can be very large or just a few dollars or pennies. American Apparel, which is now owned by Gildan Activewear, a Canadian company, points this out dramatically [...]

USA-Made Goods Worth Their Price 2017-10-05T21:54:48+00:00

Manufacturing Jobs Build More than Just Products

One of the many reasons why manufacturing jobs are good for our economy is that they create positive ripple effects throughout our communities. Each full-time job in manufacturing creates 3.4 full-time jobs in non-manufacturing industries, according to a 2016 study by the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI).   MAPI looked at both “upstream” and “downstream” in the manufacturing value chain. So counted toward jobs created were: corporate offices and management, research and development, the transportation of materials and finished goods, logistics and warehousing, advertising, the [...]

Manufacturing Jobs Build More than Just Products 2017-10-05T21:57:42+00:00

Canada Wants to Lift Labor Standards in North America

These days there are few champions of working people in Washington who are fighting to lift standards and rebuild the middle class. To the contrary, it often seems that both in our nation’s and states’ capitols, policy makers are committed to a trajectory of racing to the bottom. Recently, Canada stepped up and offered a different idea:  how about raising labor standards so all countries in NAFTA benefit?   Canada formally demanded that in talks for a “new NAFTA,” the United States must roll back it’s states’ [...]

Canada Wants to Lift Labor Standards in North America 2017-10-05T22:07:32+00:00

The Union Label is the Gold Standard for Consumers

If you’re looking for well-made products made by workers who have a voice in their working conditions and by a company that’s supportive of your community, then the union label won’t let you down. Today, just 6.4% of the workers in the private sector belong to unions, but they pack a big punch when it comes to driving the U.S. economic engine.   Check out these four reasons why the union label is the gold standard when it comes to the best value you get for your [...]

The Union Label is the Gold Standard for Consumers 2017-10-05T22:19:48+00:00

Build It Here so We Can Buy it Here

The rally call of “Buy American” isn’t new, but it looks very different in 2017 than it did in the 1970s. Back then, there were almost 20 million workers punching in at factories across the country (today, it’s just 12.5 million). These workers made clothes, baseballs, toys, blue jeans, electronics and a host of goods you could find on the shelves of your neighborhood store. If you want some Brach’s candy in 2017, it’ll come from their factory in Mexico because they’ve closed their Chicago plant.   Asking our neighbors to “Buy American” doesn’t make sense unless there are things to buy. In 2017 we must talk about building it here, so we can buy it here.   The last 30 years have [...]

Build It Here so We Can Buy it Here 2017-10-05T22:22:18+00:00

The Rabbit Hole of Labeling Laws

You would think that disclosing where something was made would be pretty straightforward. You’d be wrong.   Let’s start with the imports. US law requires that the “country of origin” should be prominently displayed. 19 CFR 102. But there are exceptions. For example, if the product originates from a “preferential” country (i.e., one with which the United States has an existing trade agreement), then rules from the trade agreement can apply. In 2015, the U.S. had to repeal beef labeling laws because Canada and Mexico successfully argued that, [...]

The Rabbit Hole of Labeling Laws 2017-10-05T22:24:11+00:00
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