The only way to reverse the downward trend of the American middle class is through an economic boost in U.S. manufacturing, job creation and skills training, said Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy to IAM leaders and members at the New England State Council of Machinists Annual Conference in Groton, CT.
“Two things are going on,” said Malloy. “Number one, unions built the middle class in America. Number two, the middle class is under attack.”
The governor talked about his recent efforts to increase the availability of manufacturing training at Connecticut community colleges, raise the state’s minimum wage and allow more workers to organize.
IAM members and leaders welcomed his remarks, applauding the administration’s recent $400 million tax package to United Technologies Corp. in exchange for a number of benefits to the state’s workforce and local economy, including a new Pratt & Whitney headquarters in East Hartford. The bill is still pending legislative approval.
“If employers don’t have access to quality employees, work goes elsewhere,” said IAM District 26 Directing Business Representative Everett Corey.
“I think Gov. Malloy has been from day one a strong advocate of manufacturers and manufacturing workers in the state,” said Connecticut State Council Machinists President John Harrity.
