Rachel's Corner

The Alliance for America Manufacturing (AAM) is a unique
non-partisan, non-profit partnership forged to strengthen
manufacturing in the U.S. AAM brings together a select group
of America's leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers.
Our mission is to promote creative policy solutions on priorities
such as international trade, energy, security, health care,
retirement, security, currency manipulation, and other issues of
mutual concern.

 

 

 

 

 
 Rachel Bennett-Steury is a Field Coordinator for "Alliance for American   Manufacturing." Rachel travels the state of Indiana and beyond, fighting
for American manufacturing jobs.

Rachel and Local 903 President Denny Leazier collaborate daily on current issues and events. This page will follow Rachel's progress, and keep you posted on what's happening in the area.

The following article, explains the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of February, 2009, and the Buy American Provision. For a better understanding of what the Act and Provision are all about, Read Rachael's Article (4th article down)>>>  

 


 

Dekalb County Mayors Sign The Resolution
From left to right:  Rachel Bennett- Steury (AAM), John Jones (USW 634L),
Dave Kobiela (USW 903), Butler Mayor Butch Coburn, Auburn Mayor Norm Yoder, Tom Emerick (USW 9463), Deb Steury (USW 634L), Charlie Odier (USW 715L), and Steve Kuffer (UAW 164).
March 24th  -  Read "Tell Fort Wayne to Buy American">>>


 

 I Rachel speaks with City Counsel person Karen Goldner today about the resolution.

March 27th  -  Read the "Buy American Law Report">>>                  
Tonight the Mayors of Butler, Garrett and Auburn Indiana signed USW Buy American Resolutions during our roundtable meeting.    John Jones from 634L, Dave Kobiela SOAR Local 903, Charlie Odier from Local 715L and Tom Emerick from Local 9463 took the lead on this event and really did a tremendous job of bringing reality to the mayors of DeKalb County.  In attendance were folks from union shops (USW, UAW) and non-union shops (New Millenium and Nucor).  We had a small business owner, those laid off, on short weeks and those about to lose their jobs; from factories to IT departments.  In all there were 20+ participating in addition to the Japanese news crew and our editor of the county paper.
March 28th - Mayor's Meeting Spurs Article in the Auburn Star>>>
April 11th - See Video from the Fort Wayne Rally>>>

April 21st - On Tuesday night,  April 21st the Fort Wayne City Council voted to “Buy American” with the Federal Stimulus funds coming to the area.  Members of the United Steelworkers, the Alliance for American Manufacturing and allies had been working with the city council for 3 weeks in order to drive home the need for its constituents to see that the council supports working families in the area.  USW Local 715L Rapid Response Coordinator Charlie Odier spoke at several council meetings on behalf of Northeast Indiana workers.  Denny Leazier, president of USW Local 903 and President of the Fort Wayne Union Label and Service Trade Council also addressed the council.   Additional representatives from USW Local 7-304, USW Local 715L, the Iron Workers Union, Laborers Union, and the Alliance for American Manufacturing also spoke with council members about the importance of domestic manufacturing.   Read More>>> 

April 24 - Senate passes "Buy American" resolution unanimously>>>
May 5 - Dave Kobiela is working on getting the Buy America resolution into Garrett.  Mayor Wiant will be introducing it into the council on Tuesday May 5th.
June 1-3 - Conference in Washington D.C.  Visit ourfuture.org and listen to blogtalkradio for live coverage
June 4 -Results-  The Steelworkers are working to modify 16 GM plant closings. Their goal; to have the plants remain "idle", in hopes that they can be used for manufacturing small cars.
June 16 - The "Keep it Made in America" bus tour and Capitol Hill teach-in was covered nationwide, with over 60 articles in more than 50 publications. Estimated print and online audience reached is more than 2 million readers.
June 29 - Local 634L Treasurer John Jones and I went before the DeKalb County Commissioners this morning to introduce the Buy America resolution.  They are in session all day.  We should know by tomorrow if they passed it or if they will hear it another day.
September 5 - DeKalb County Buy America Resolution Resolved  Read More>>>

October 12 - Here is some information about Buy American resolutions being passed around our area.  USW and AAM folks keep plugging away. I’ll be heading to the Rapid Response conference next week in Indy and then to a conference in DC at the end of the month.

    Angola Buy American Resolution passed on September 21
    Kosciusko County Commissioners passed it on September 29th
     Peru City Council Passed it on October 5
    Wabash will hear the resolution on October 13
    Warsaw will hear it on October 19th

October 29 - “Building a New Economy, Making it in America” Conference in Washington D.C. with AAM and the Campaign for America’s Future folks.  There will be lots of speakers and discussions on how we are going to create new jobs and rebuild our economy. http://www.ourfuture.org/buildingtheneweconomy

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August 19 - Alliance for Climate Protection, Blue Green Alliance Hit the Road for Made in America Jobs Tour  Read More>>>

 

May 13 - United Steelworker film crew visits Local 903
USW press came to Local 903. They set up an area in the union hall and interviewed President Denny Leazier, along with other members of the Local. They also visited Spring Hill TN, home to a GM Plant, and Granite City IL, home to a 130 year old steel mill which is currently sitting idle. The purpose; to show the folks in D.C. what is happening in Main Street America.
May 19 - United Steelworkers & AAM go to Washington D.C.     See the videos shown in D.C.>>>