The Leslie Marshall Show

Factory Jobs Are Booming Under Biden! But Will the Fed and a Strong Dollar Kill the Momentum?

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

For over 16 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy.

The two discuss how factory jobs are booming under President Biden, and then explore whether the Fed and a strong dollar will kill the momentum.

They also detail how some Senators and members of Congress are trying (in a couple of different ways) to make sure that the Chinese Communist party doesn't undermine this jobs boom.

Finally, the pair reveals how a program to help workers impacted by layoffs due to trade (Trade Adjustment Assistance) has lapsed because Republicans in Congress insist on linking it to new trade deals. As a result, thousands of eligible workers aren’t getting benefits. That’s wrong!

WEBSITEs: 1. AmericanManufacturing.org

TWITTER: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA 2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM 

A Holistic Approach to Workplace Health and Safety

Leslie is joined by Leeann Foster, International Vice President of the United Steelworkers (USW), North America’s largest industrial union. 
They’re 1.2 million members and retirees strong in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. 
They proudly represent men and women who work in nearly every industry there is.

The two will discuss the USW's holistic approach to workplace health and safety.

This includes their work identifying common trends in fatalities and life altering injuries, as well as laying out a sector specific plan for education and effective hazard identification, controls and communication.

The USW's work has been similarly successful in making manufacturing processes safer and helping workers avoid exposure to extreme heat or toxic substances like silica and beryllium.

The USW has also been making important strides on other fronts when it comes to health and safety. 
One important way is through helping workers who are facing the threat of intimate partner violence. 

Domestic violence increased significantly during the pandemic. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine said that domestic violence cases increased by 25 to 33 percent globally. 
The National Commission on COVID-19 and criminal justice shows an increase in the U.S. by a little over 8 percent, following the imposition of lockdown orders during 2020.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that about 20 percent of women and 14 percent of men across the United States have experienced “severe physical violence.” 

Workers experiencing domestic violence often need time to focus on getting safe and the security of knowing that they can return to work when they’ve been able to do so. 

That’s why the USW is now negotiating domestic violence protections and resources into their contracts across the union.  This includes two recent contracts with major employers in the paper sector: Domtar and Packaging Corp. of America, covering over 29 mills and 44 box plants and thousands of workers.

Union-negotiated domestic violence leave helps provide time off for court appearances, relocation, counseling and more without eating up vacation or sick days. Workers also won’t need a doctor for an excuse – counselors, domestic shelter employees and spiritual leaders can also speak to what is happening with the employee.
In some cases, workers can also request changes to working hours, transfer to alternate worksites or vacation pay advances.  They can also ask for help in safety planning, like identifying hiding places or an escape route.
Other sectors are also negotiating this important language.  

The USW has been having success with this issue in both the United States and Canada, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it is a true workplace health and safety issue.

The Department of Labor estimated that domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work per year.  It can also affect the health and safety of other workers if abuses show up in the workplace.  Some USW members even receive training in how to help advocate for their peers, help connect them with community resources, and intervene with management when needed.

Because the union believes that gender equality and the right to a safe workplace go hand in hand, the USW is also advocating for other holistic health and safety protections. 

These include: 
- PPE that fits all body shapes
- Resources to combat sexual and other harassment
- Comprehensive bathroom, showers and change-room policies 
- Pregnancy issues including new motherhood issues and breastfeeding 
- Opportunities to address stress,mental health and work-life balance 

Not everyone experiences work or their work environment the same way, but the USW believes that all are entitled to health and safety on the job. 

Leeann Foster has served the union for more than 25 years, working to negotiate strong contracts, advocate for sound trade policies, facilitate educational opportunities and fight for safer workplaces. She oversees more than 550 locals and more than 30 bargaining councils in the USW’s paper sector. She also leads the union’s Making and Converting Paper Safely program to build worker-focused health and safety initiatives in the paper sector, as well as overseeing the USW Women of Steel Leadership Development Program.

WEBSITE: www.USW.org

TWITTER and INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @steelworkers

Biden Administration’s Recent Manufacturing Victories

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

For over 16 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy.

The two discuss the Biden administration's recent manufacturing victories.

This includes the CHIPS Act, the Inflation Reduction Act (and how it will affect clean energy production and EVs in the U.S.), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, continuing job gains in manufacturing, and more.

They also explore the huge jump in companies that are reshoring their supply chains back to the U.S. from China.

WEBSITE: 1. AmericanManufacturing.org

TWITTER: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA 2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM 

You can watch this episode in the following places:

YouTube - https://youtu.be/iaSG0IehZ_o

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/609932097/videos/604073681102844/

Will Media Fall for Trump’s Attempt to Change Subject on Classified Documents Seizure?

Leslie begins today's show with her 'Ripped from the Headlines' news segment.

Here are the stories that she gave her take on:

1. THE HILL: "White House to announce student loan cancellation, payment pause extension Wednesday"

2. AXIOS: "White House: Climate law could slash related damages by up to $1.9 trillion"

3. AXIOS: "Ex-Louisville officer pleads guilty to conspiracy in Breonna Taylor killing"

4. AXIOS: "Judge upholds Georgia law prohibiting food, water distribution at polls"

5. AXIOS: "Jury finds 2 men guilty of conspiring to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer"

6.
AUDIO: Republican Congressman Andy Barr tries to change subject when asked by Chuck Todd what is the GOP's plan to deal with inflation

7. AXIOS: "Florida school district rejects dictionary donations amid new book law"

For the remainder of the hour, Leslie is joined by Jon Sinton, Executive Director and CEO of 'Let Majority Rule,' a non-partisan organization dedicated to ensuring that America hears the voice of the majority of voters. 

The two discuss his latest blog via his Substack, titled, "Enough Already."  One of the items covered in the blog is whether the media will fall for former President Trump's attempt to change the subject on the FBI seizure of classified documents that he kept at his Mar-a-lago golf club. (link here: https://jonbsinton.substack.com/p/enough-already)

In early 2011, Sinton co-founded the smartphone app Progressive Voices which aggregates all progressive content that is seen, heard or read. In 2012, PV launched a streaming radio service, The Progressive Voices Channel on TuneIn.
The websites for 'Let Majority Rule' and Progressive Voices are LetMajorityRule.org and ProgressiveVoices.com.
Their Twitter handles are @LetMajorityRule and @ProgVoice.  Jon's handle is @JonSinton.
Finally, you can check out "Jon's Reluctant Blog" by visiting JonBSinton.substack.com

FBI Raids Trump’s Residence; How Inflation Reduction Act Will Fight Climate Change

Leslie begins today's show with her 'Ripped from the Headlines' news segment.

Here are the stories that she gave her opinion on:

1. ASSOCIATED PRESS: "FBI’s search of Trump’s Florida estate: Why now?"

2. AXIOS: "Biden signs $280 billion chip funding bill" 

3. AXIOS: "Appeals court says House committee can obtain Trump's tax records"

4. AXIOS: "Rudy Giuliani must testify in Atlanta 2020 election probe next week"

During the second half of the show, Leslie is joined by Tim Zenk, President of Molecule, LLC.

Tim explains how the 'Inflation Reduction Act' will fight climate change.  Some of the ways it will do so is by:

- Including huge investments in clean energy

- Keeping President Biden's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 within reach

- Curbing methane emissions, which have been responsible for about 30% of global warming since pre-industrial times

- Emphasizing environmental justice

- Signaling to the global community that the U.S. is serious about doing its part to fight climate change

Tim has worked in renewable energy project development and policy for two decades to build new technologies for difficult to decarbonize sectors.  Presently, he is the president at Molecule LLC where he works at the nexus of policy, finance, and technology to fight climate change and support an industrial transformation that is required for the U.S. to remain globally competitive in a zero-carbon future. Here in the U.S., he represents renewable fuels leader Neste, and Hydrogen logistics and aviation pioneer, Universal Hydrogen, among other clients.  He is the founder and Executive Director of the Washington Green Hydrogen Alliance and Clean Fuel Washington.  He was a senior executive at Sapphire Energy, a company that invented renewable crude oil (green crude) from algae. Earlier in Tim’s career he served in several government roles in the Clinton/Gore White House, in Congress for Rep. Norm Dicks, and on the staff of Washington’s 19th Governor, Booth Gardner.
His Twitter handle is @GreenCrude.

Democrats Need to Prevent Unforced Errors on Infrastructure, Climate and China

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

For over 16 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy.

Leslie and Scott discuss how Democrats are currently at risk of committing three unforced errors, on Infrastructure, Climate, and China Competition, with major political and policy implications.

On the infrastructure front, they're not properly selling the bipartisan bill that is massively popular with voters, because somehow only 24 percent are aware it's actually a law.

When it comes to the topic of renewable energy production in the U.S., Senator Manchin’s refusal to go along with ANY climate related legislation is having real-time consequences. Solar manufacturing will disappear from our country without action!

Finally, in regards to competition with China, the United States needs to 'go big' beyond semiconductors to position ourselves for the future, and the Biden administration shouldn’t lift tariffs that are in place. 

WEBSITE: 1. AmericanManufacturing.org

TWITTER: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA  2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM

What Greedy Corporations Don’t Want Working Families to Know About Inflation

Leslie is joined by USW (United Steelworkers) International Vice President (Administration), David McCall.

The two reveal what corporations don't want working families to know about inflation. (more background info. here: https://www.epi.org/blog/ignoring-the-role-of-profits-makes-inflation-analyses-a-lot-weaker/)

Vice President McCall's career of fighting for fairness and justice for workers began as a member of Local 6787 in Burns Harbor, Indiana, where he worked as a millwright at the sprawling integrated steel facility. He joined the union's staff in 1985 and served as the director of USW District 1 from 1998 until 2019. Over the course of his career, McCall successfully fought to preserve thousands of jobs in the steel industry and beyond. McCall currently chairs USW master contract negotiations with Cleveland Cliffs, Republic Steel, Timken, Graphics Packaging and others.

The website for the United Steelworkers is USW.org and their handle for Twitter and Instagram is @steelworkers.

Are Chinese Manufacturers Rerouting Solar Panels to Avoid U.S. Tariffs?

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

For roughly 15 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy.

Leslie and Scott discuss the Department of Commerce's investigation into whether Chinese manufacturers are re-routing solar panels through four Asian countries in an attempt to avoid U.S. tariffs.

Here is more background on the subject from Scott's colleagues at AAM, Elizabeth Brotherton-Bunch and Matthew McMullan:

The investigation came about after California solar panel maker Auxin Solar filed a petition with the Commerce Department asking for the investigation, arguing imports from Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand were actually made in China.

Auxin also had support from Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and in the Senate and House, with Ohio Sens. Rob Portman (R) and Sherrod Brown (D) writing to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo:

    “As we understand it, these operations use raw materials, labor, capital investment, and research and development from China. Moving to a third country to assemble a product with inputs from the country subject to the original AD/CVD order is textbook circumvention. (AD/CVD stands for Antidumping and countervailing duties, which are intended to offset the value of dumping and/or subsidization, thereby leveling the playing field for domestic industries injured by such unfairly traded imports). As you know, if legitimate circumvention allegations go unaddressed, entire domestic industries and thousands of American manufacturing jobs are at risk.”

It all seemed pretty straightforward; Commerce would investigate the claims and issue a decision. If you follow this blog, you know that these sorts of trade cases happen all the time.

But ever since Commerce moved forward with the probe, solar importers have done a full court press to convince everyone that the investigation would spell doom for the industry. There have been many, many many stories in recent weeks arguing that the solar industry is now “frozen” because of the investigation and that it will hinder the Biden administration’s climate goals. They’ve also argued that shipments have already slowed because of the investigation.

It all strikes us as somewhat odd, given that no decision has been made (and thus no new tariffs have been issued). What do these folks have to fear?

That’s the argument that Auxin CEO Mamun Rashid made in a recent interview with E&E News.

“If there’s been no cheating going on, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about,” he said. “If I’m a manufacturer overseas, or I’m an importer, and I know I wasn’t participating in any kind of circumvention, I wasn’t cheating, I don’t have anything to worry about. I don’t understand why the concern is there.”

Rashid also rejected the argument that tariffs, if they are eventually placed on these products, will harm the industry and limit progress on reducing climate emissions. He said:

    “I can only speak to my experience. In the last 14 years, we have seen tariffs being instituted and we’ve seen the predictions that were made on what would happen if the tariffs were put in place. And it has never materialized. Deployments have continued to grow double digits and outperform predictions, even prior to tariffs being imposed, and pricing has continued to fall. I have no reason to believe it’ll be any different this time.”

So why is SEIA mounting such an aggressive campaign against this investigation? Well, solar is an obviously important source of green energy and therefore plays a huge role in our national climate goals, but it’s also an industry, and a business. And as a trade association representing lots of importers it’s performing its primary function: Protecting their profits.

It could also be because some of its member companies are the same ones that were originally targeted by the tariffs that these imports are accused circumventing, as the Prospect points out, and that some indeed source from suppliers that use slave labor in China’s Xinjiang province — where the government has forced an estimated 1 million Uyghur and other typically Muslim ethnic groups into detention camps, according to researchers and news organizations. And this big push could also be because it could be gearing up to take a run at overturning a ban on imports made by that labor that’s set to take effect in about six weeks.

WEBSITEs: 1. AmericanManufacturing.org 2. A website with an AAM petition asking Congress to support America's solar manufacturers and workers: TinyURL.com/SupportAmericanSolar

TWITTER: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA  2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM

 

You can watch this episode in the following places:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1mrGmaYBMMqGy

YouTube - https://youtu.be/Ek13HtSpGaI

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/leslie.marshall.547/videos/7476380872432052

Earth Day 2022: Saving Planet Earth by 2030

Leslie begins today's show with her 'Ripped from the Headlines' news segment.

Here are the stories that she gave her opinion on:

1A. AXIOS: "How the U.S. climate has warmed since the first Earth Day"

1B. AUDIO: President Biden's Earth Day remarks

2. Audio obtained by the New York Times of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy days after the Jan. 6th Insurrection

2A. AUDIO: McCarthy talking with Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney about suggesting that President Trump resign, the 25th Amendment, and a possible pardon from Vice President Pence 

2B. AUDIO: McCarthy says Trump admitted he bore some responsibility for Jan 6th during Jan 11th phone call 

2C. AUDIO: McCarthy tells House Republican leaders what Trump did on Jan 6th is unacceptable and nobody should defend it 

3. AXIOS: UN: Human rights "horror story" is unfolding in Ukraine

4. AXIOS/IPSOS POLL - Most Americans support mask mandates on airplanes

Leslie is then joined by Mike Italiano, CEO of Capital Markets Partnership (CMP), a nonprofit public charity coalition of leading investors, investment banks, governments, ENGOs, and professional firms.  CMP is working to accelerate sustainable investment by facilitating secondary markets and fixed income and equity investments, thus stimulating the economy and stopping irreversible and unmanageable systemic climate risk.
Their website is CapitalMarketsPartnership.com.

On this Earth Day, the two discuss how to achieve the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s 2030 deadline for preserving a habitable planet.

The IPCC Report can be found here: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/

Getting Manufacturing Competitiveness Right

Leslie is joined by Roy Houseman, Legislative Director for the United Steelworkers.

The two discuss how to get manufacturing competitiveness right.

The United States used to be on the cutting edge of manufacturing innovation, but declining investment and decades of bad trade deals left the country at a competitive disadvantage, resulting in:

- Plummeting numbers of good, manufacturing jobs. (The BLS calculates that manufacturing employment fell from 19.6 million in 1979 to 12.8 million in 2019 – down 35 percent)
- Fractured communities. This has particularly hurt Black, Brown and other workers of color.
- And increasing reliance on foreign nations for critical goods.

It’s long been clear that we need comprehensive legislation to better compete with China and other nations, regrow our critical supply chains and invest in manufacturing now and into the future.

There are currently two bills – one in the House and one in the Senate – that are aimed at helping the United States stay competitive against China and protect workers against greedy multi-national corporations who seek out low wage and illegal subsidies in foreign countries.

- The Senate bill is the United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA).
- The House bill is America COMPETES Act (COMPETES).

The bills will soon go to conference so Congress can reconcile the differences between the two versions. While both bills make important investments in U.S. technology, only the House version has meaningful changes for workers and manufacturing employers.

Roy details these meaningful changes during the interview.

The website for the United Steelworkers is www.USW.org and their Twitter handle is @steelworkers.
Roy's handle is @RoyHouseman.