Moments ago, I just got this email from Richard L. Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO with an action petition.
This is the price of FREE TRADE. And I've been saying for years, that nothing about so-called free trade is free!
He writes:
"The Whirlpool Corp. is closing a refrigerator manufacturing plant in Evansville, Ind., putting more than 1,100 people out of work. Even worse, Whirlpool will continue to produce these refrigerators, but not in Evansville and not anywhere else in America. They are planning to manufacture them in Mexico, where weaker labor and environmental laws make them "cheaper" for Whirlpool to produce."
1,100 jobs may not seem like a lot to some, unless of course, one happens to be one of those unlucky ones who got their pink slips from Whirlpool.
American jobs sent out of this country on the public's dime, and gone forever. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Richard Trumka writes further explaining to anyone in America-or Congress that's listening:
"This is outrageous and unacceptable, especially in light of Whirlpool’s profitability and the $19 million dollars in economic recovery money Whirlpool recently received from the federal government as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Those are OUR economic recovery funds, not Mexico’s.
So what's wrong with this picture?
$19,000,000 in American taxpayer money, given to Whirlpool, so we can pay them to pack-up and move to Mexico, turning their backs on Indiana and hanging the American worker out to dry! If the workers at Whirlpool aren't secure, then nobody's job in America is secure!
I feel Richard Trumka's righteous anger and I think this latest corporatist attack on the American worker goes beyond the pale!
"To protest Whirlpool’s decisions and demand good jobs in America, I’m heading to Evansville next Friday to rally and march with local workers and labor leaders—and I’d like you to join me. No, I’m not asking you to join me in person, but I would like you to sign a petition in solidarity with the Evansville workers for me to deliver to Whirlpool’s management.
Too many people have lost their jobs. Too many jobs have been sent overseas. Enough is enough. Whirlpool’s management can’t take our money, shut down our factories and lay off our workers. It’s not acceptable—and together we’re going to deliver a loud and clear message to Whirlpool: Keep It Made in America and Save Our Jobs."
Won't you please join Richard Trumka and me and sign his action petition today? It will only take a few moments of your time, but the fine citizens of Evansville, Indiana need us more than ever before, to stand behind them in solidarity.
http://www.unionvoice.org/...