WASHINGTON, June 13, 2017 — Robert Martinez, Jr., International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), issued the following statement on President Trump’s visit to Waukesha, Wis.
“The President is peddling job training to people who asked him to save their jobs.
“More than 300 Machinists Union members at General Electric’s gas engine manufacturing plant in Waukesha will see their jobs shipped out of the country by the end of the year. Shortly after the inauguration, we asked the President to intervene. We still haven’t heard back.
“The President should be in Waukesha to blast General Electric for putting corporate profit over American workers. Like too many politicians before him, the President is telling U.S. workers to retrain instead of keeping our jobs here in the first place—while proposing a budget that guts federal funding for job training.
“The fact that the President is taking advice from Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who has done more to attack working people and their unions than any other governor, raises serious concerns. The President should be empowering working people, not praising politicians who strip them of their right to collectively bargain.”
“During his campaign, the President promised to fight for American workers. We have supported his pledges on trade and U.S. jobs. Now is the time for action, not empty promises.”
The International Associations of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, representing nearly 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, transportation, manufacturing, shipbuilding, woodworking and other industries. Visit goIAM.org for more information.
