AEM calls for federal action on several fronts to stimulate manufacturing
In response the U.S. Department of Labor employment report released last week, the Milwaukee-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is calling on the U.S. government to do more to spur job creation in the manufacturing sector.
“Our economy is stuck at 9.5 percent unemployment, and Congress should be pulling out the stops to put America’s middle class back to work in the manufacturing industry,” said Dennis Slater, AEM president.
The AEM believes that Congress can kick-start the country’s manufacturing sector by ordering bridges, roads, sewerage and clean water and flood control systems around the country to be rebuilt. The organization is also calling on federal officials to pass free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Columbia, which could help American manufacturers and farmers.
“The House (recently) passed a bill that establishes the equivalent of a Blue Ribbon commission to study manufacturing jobs,” Slater said. “We’re encouraged to see this focus on manufacturing, but a study commission is not enough. Our nation’s unemployed need concrete action on jobs – and they need it now.”
