December 4, 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Yesterday, I had the distinct honor of attending the White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth. I was joined by the General Presidents of four of our affiliated unions: Terry O'Sullivan of LIUNA; Bill Hite of the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters; James Hoffa of the Teamsters; and Ed Hill of the IBEW.
The forum was designed specifically to bring together leaders from all sectors of our economy to offer ideas and solutions that will construct a solid foundation on which sustained economic and job growth can occur. I was especially heartened to hear President Obama point to the specific role that unions can play when he said, "I want to hear about what the unions and universities can do to better support and prepare our workers - not just for the jobs today, but for the jobs five years from now and ten years from now and fifty years from now."
Overall, I was pleased that President Obama is contemplating a thorough and optimistic approach to economic recovery. And it is an approach, from the indications we received yesterday, that will fundamentally re-evaluate and re-align our national core values away from a consumption-based economic ideal and towards a more sound, investment-oriented, philosophy. America's Building Trades Unions have always argued for such an approach and it is
quite uplifting to hear President Obama echo that view.
By taking a longer-term view of our economic recovery, President Obama has rightfully concluded that we need to re-consider our national economic priorities and policies in a manner that places our nation on a path toward fundamentally sound economic growth that is less and less dependent on artificial "bubble" economics; which was the source of our current economic collapse.
For my part, I was asked to serve on a breakout panel entitled, Creating Jobs Through the Re-Building of America's Infrastructure which was chaired by Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood and Peter Orszag; Director of the Office of Management and Budget. We were joined by President Obama for approximately 30 minutes of our discussion. The President interacted with the group and listened intently.
From the outset of this breakout session, a clear and consistent
message wasdelivered by most in the group. And that message related to the immediate and long-term job creation potential associated with investments in our nation's physical infrastructure. I took the opportunity to make the case for jobs creation that leads to life-long careers with strong labor standards that will lift those traditionally left behind, as well as
reinvigorate the American middle class - which has all but disappeared.
In response to the President's concerns about worker training, I addressed him directly during our session and reminded him of the unequalled, world-class training infrastructure that has been built by the Building Trades and its signatory contractors through a $900 million annual investment that is all derived entirely from private money.
I made it clear to the President and to all the others on that panel that America's Building Trades Unions were able, ready and willing to take the lead on creating the skilled workforce of the future. The only thing missing are the job opportunities on the demand side of the equation that could be immediately addressed through substantive infrastructure investments.
As all of us in the Building Trades know full well, America's physical infrastructure - which includes roads, bridges, water systems, sewage treatment plants, airports, subways, our public school buildings, internet and other telecommunications systems, and our energy infrastructure, among others - is a proven and effective platform upon which sustained economic
growth can occur.
As is always the case with these types of government forums, the true measure of their effectiveness rests within the confines of the follow-up plan. The President made clear his intention to re-convene this Jobs and Economic Growth forum at periodic intervals in the future in order to assess our progress, and to solicit additional ideas. Based upon his remarks and his active involvement in yesterday's discussion, I can tell you that this is a leader who understands what needs to be done; and has a plan and a focus for how to move us in the right direction.
I can also assure you that the Building and Construction Trades Department, in close coordination with its 13 affiliated unions and state and local councils, will repeatedly make the case that investments tied to re-building America's infrastructure is paramount for creating jobs right now, and for
re-building the American economy for the realities of the 21st century.
We have the means to do it.and it now appears that the political will may be there as well.
Our job will be to help sustain that political will.
Sincerely,
Mark Ayers
President
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