Image by Getty Images via @daylifeTrumka speaks to Chamber board directors - The Hill's Blog Briefing RoomTrumka speaks to Chamber board directors
- 06/08/11 05:05 PM ET
The reconciliation of two Washington rivals continued Wednesday when AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka spoke to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.
On Wednesday morning, Trumka told a closed meeting of the Chamber’s board that the country needs to rebuild its crumbling infrastructure. The push for more spending on roads, bridges and highways has become a common cause this year for the labor federation and the business group. Trumka and Tom Donohue, the Chamber’s president and CEO, have made several joint appearances together, including testifying together before Congress.
“It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: We’re pretty strange bedfellows. There have been many times we haven’t agreed, and I’m sure there will be many more. But in the end, I think we all want the same thing: productive and profitable businesses, prosperous families and thriving communities,” Trumka said, according to remarks the AFL-CIO sent to reporters.
The two groups are often at each other’s throats on several other issues, especially on labor laws and regulations. But Trumka said that America’s infrastructure has reached a crisis point and both business and labor need to work together to spark the rebuilding effort.
On Wednesday morning, Trumka told a closed meeting of the Chamber’s board that the country needs to rebuild its crumbling infrastructure. The push for more spending on roads, bridges and highways has become a common cause this year for the labor federation and the business group. Trumka and Tom Donohue, the Chamber’s president and CEO, have made several joint appearances together, including testifying together before Congress.
“It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: We’re pretty strange bedfellows. There have been many times we haven’t agreed, and I’m sure there will be many more. But in the end, I think we all want the same thing: productive and profitable businesses, prosperous families and thriving communities,” Trumka said, according to remarks the AFL-CIO sent to reporters.
The two groups are often at each other’s throats on several other issues, especially on labor laws and regulations. But Trumka said that America’s infrastructure has reached a crisis point and both business and labor need to work together to spark the rebuilding effort.
“Not in 50 years have we needed investments in our infrastructure like we do today. Frankly, the situation is approaching a crisis. Our congested and deteriorating transportation systems are hurting all of us — threatening business productivity and affecting the lives of anybody who travels,” Trumka said. “Let me just say that I think we need to put our combined muscle behind the wheel, behind a renewed effort to win the investments America needs.”
“I’d like us to change that. That’s why I’m especially glad to be here today, and why, Tom, I look forward to your visit soon to the AFL-CIO’s Executive Council — because I believe business and working people often stand on common ground, and we should speak with one voice every chance we get,” Trumka said.
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Comments (16)
We heard this before from the unions! Where did a trillion dollars go? Mostly to shore up union jobs public and private. Unions are on the decline and Truma knows it!
Sell your progressive ideas to Greece! I am sure they have many "shovel ready" jobs.BY USMC1969 on 06/08/2011 at 19:39
Trumka needs to go back to his daily Obama visit. I don't mind private unions but I don't like it when taxpayer money is spent only for those who are union. It is discriminatory and not in the least helpful for our country.BY JD PLUS on 06/09/2011 at 03:44
They attack unions because of class. They do not want to see subordinates have a chance to make a living and inch up the social scale. Fear is another reason, if the worker improves their standard of living it may cut into their take or their heirs.
They are never concerned about the robber barons that that rip off share holders and employees by their excesses. See Tyco, Worldcom, Enron, etc.BY WILLIE on 06/09/2011 at 10:27
Bill,
You need to read a lot of these comments again. I haven't read a single one that said you were a union thug. It is the bureaucracy of the unions that are the thugs and if you are keeping an open mind, you believe that also. With the unemployment so high in this country, your statement about money for infrastructure benefits everyone, union or not is so untrue. Try and get a construction job if you are not a union member. So how does that benefit 88% of the unemployed in this country? And as far as your last two statements. Ask Trumka how many of his union members are not Americans and America is already beautiful.BY LIZ on 06/09/2011 at 11:10
And by the way. I am a 55 year old woman and I did go to the Home Depot and by a book on electricity and did a lot of work on my house myself. It took me a lot longer than you would do it in but I can't afford your union wages and benefits.BY LIZ on 06/09/2011 at 11:14
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