Article

2018-09-03 Economy

Trump Has Hurt American Workers, Charges AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

[Huffpoo] President Donald Trump has done more to hurt American workers than help them, the leader of the largest federation of unions in the nation declared on Sunday. Union workers will likely support Democratic candidates in November, predicted AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka.

Trumka also said that Trump’s proposed replacement for the North America Free Trade Agreement won’t work without Canada. That pointedly contradicts claims by Trump that Canadian participation isn’t necessary in his new trade pact.

As for workers, "unfortunately, to date, the things that he has done to hurt workers outpace what he’s done to help workers," said Trumka, who represents more more than 12.5 million people.

Though unemployment is down, wages have also been down "since the first of the year," he said. "Gas prices have been up since the first year. So overall, workers aren’t doing as well," Trumka told Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday."

In addition, Trump "hasn’t come up with an infrastructure program that could put a lot of us back to work," Trumka added. "He overturned some health and safety regulations that will hurt us on the job." The president also helped scuttle an Obama administration Labor Department rule that would have extended overtime benefits to close to 5 million workers, Trumka said.

Come November, Trumka said, it "probably will be Democrats" his members support "because Democrats support working people more than Republicans." But decisions will be made candidate by candidate because "it’s about electing people who will support working people," he said.

Posted by Besoeker 2018-09-03 08:36|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 I'm not sure how this rhetoric matches up with the reality of the economic numbers since Trump's been in office. Oh, that's right - it doesn't! This is meant more for general consumption than anything else, one of those pro forma 'what else am I gonna say - I'm the head of a union!' statements.

Posted by Raj 2018-09-03 09:38|| 2018-09-03 09:38|| Front Page Top

#2 Given that lots of Trump’s voters in 2016 were union members, I suspect you are right, Raj.

Posted by trailing wife 2018-09-03 09:40|| 2018-09-03 09:40|| Front Page Top

#3 Right-to-work and voluntary dues will kill the corrupt unions

Posted by Frank G 2018-09-03 09:48|| 2018-09-03 09:48|| Front Page Top

#4 Yeah, now they have to WORK.

Posted by Glenmore 2018-09-03 09:50|| 2018-09-03 09:50|| Front Page Top

#5 Work hurts?

Posted by warthogswife 2018-09-03 11:12|| 2018-09-03 11:12|| Front Page Top

#6 As a child, did you ever wonder where Santa Claus got all the toys or the supplies to build the toys?
Ever wonder about his delivery system? If so, you probably didn't put too much thought into it.
People who think the government should be Santa Claus still don't.

Posted by 746 2018-09-03 11:30|| 2018-09-03 11:30|| Front Page Top

#7 I suppose working is more dangerous than sitting at home on benefits.

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2018-09-03 13:04|| 2018-09-03 13:04|| Front Page Top

#8 Right-to-work and voluntary dues will kill the corrupt unions

And that's where the unions are spending their member's hard-earned dues money now, to combat the RTW and 'optional' dues legislation initiatives.

These would really cook the giverment unions.

Posted by Mullah Richard 2018-09-03 13:11|| 2018-09-03 13:11|| Front Page Top

#9 Government Unions incentivise systemic corruption. They are now a Player in the Political Game instead of acting as a Neutral Party. Judges can recuse themselves, how do you recuse every single staffer and secretary in the legal system if they are all members of one organization?

Posted by magpie 2018-09-03 13:25|| 2018-09-03 13:25|| Front Page Top

#10 ...or one party.

Posted by Procopius2k 2018-09-03 14:06|| 2018-09-03 14:06|| Front Page Top

#11 Forget it, he's rolling.

Posted by Sonny Dribble1184 2018-09-03 14:54|| 2018-09-03 14:54|| Front Page Top

#12 He's just trying to push back against the Trumpenproletariat.
By popular demand, 'Snark of The Day.'

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2018-09-03 15:24|| 2018-09-03 15:24|| Front Page Top

#13 #12 Snark of the day?

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2018-09-03 15:39|| 2018-09-03 15:39|| Front Page Top

#14 #12 - seconded.

Posted by Raj 2018-09-03 15:47|| 2018-09-03 15:47|| Front Page Top

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