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OPA News Release: [02/26/2002]
Contact Name: Sue
Hensley
Chao Asks AFL-CIO to Join with Labor Department To Create
Jobs,
Lower Energy Costs
Labor Secretary Emphasizes
Partnerships With Labor Unions
NEW ORLEANS – In a meeting with the Executive Committee of
the AFL-CIO today, Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao said, “The Bush
administration and leaders of organized labor need to work together more
closely than ever on priorities for American workers, starting with ensuring
the Senate passage of an energy plan that creates thousands of good new jobs.
We need your help; we ask for your help in bringing this sound policy to its
fruition.”
Chao pointed out that health and safety partnerships between labor
unions and the Department of Labor were at an all-time high in 2001 and
continue to grow. “We have maintained a good dialogue that has enabled us
to work together… and that’s when the American workforce really
benefits. The time is now for us to increase our collaboration.”
“With your help today, we can shepherd President George W.
Bush’s energy plan through its final obstacle course- the Senate,”
Chao said. “We’ve already succeeded in the House; you know the clear
benefits this legislation will bring to your organizations, your members, and
America’s workforce overall. And I promise you that the benefits it will
bring to our economy through lower prices for energy are better than icing on
the cake.”
Secretary Chao discussed the great successes that labor unions and the
Department of Labor have had when they work on each other’s behalf.
“Because of the work that we do together, American workers are safer,
happier, and more productive. I am delighted to be able to say that we
currently have over 200 working partnerships – and I know that we need
your help more than ever if we are to be a truly effective advocate for working
Americans. I look forward to having even more success together in 2002,
starting with an energy policy that helps get Americans back to work.”
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