With electric vehicle demand rising, auto and manufacturing workers are front and center as President Biden moves forward with his infrastructure plan.

The United Auto Workers are putting forth every effort to ensure their members are brought along with this shift and pending legislation. Their Legislative Director, Josh Nassar, detailed their efforts and what they would like to see in a plan on AWF Union Podcast.

Benefits of the American Rescue Plan

The American Rescue Plan benefited current working people and those who lost their jobs and are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nassar said the plan is exactly what was needed to keep people afloat and get some back on their feet.

He praised the targeted areas of the bill that went beyond just stimulus payments to individuals and grants for businesses. For example, funding to increase vaccine distribution and reduce child poverty were greatly needed. One of the most important parts of the bill was the pension funding that was included.

The American Jobs Act

Another piece of major legislation currently being worked out is an infrastructure plan. The UAW is very excited about the prospect of this long-needed legislation passing.

While the legislation is not final, they are happy with what has been revealed. Nassar said they are especially excited for investments in nontraditional infrastructure, such as broadband expansion, investments in the electric vehicle market and more.

As for how it will be paid for, Nassar said the UAW is excited that corporate tax loopholes are being closed and tax incentives that lead to jobs being shipped overseas will be revoked.

Buy American Plan

Nassar said President Biden is attacking the U.S. manufacturing problem from all angles. He cited the President’s willingness to close loopholes and make it more difficult for manufacturers to buy foreign parts.

For example, Nassar said the U.S. has a semiconductor shortage. In order to fix this, President Biden is incentivizing American manufacturers to find ways to make parts not commonly made in America.

AMERICA’S WORK FORCE IS THE ONLY DAILY LABOR-RADIO PROGRAM IN THE US AND HAS BEEN ON THE AIR SINCE 1993, SUPPLYING LISTENERS WITH USEFUL, RELEVANT INPUT INTO THEIR DAILY LIVES THROUGH FACT-FINDING FEATURES, IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS, INFORMATIVE NEWS SEGMENTS AND PRACTICAL CONSUMER REPORTS. AMERICA’S WORK FORCE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN ACCESSIBLE VENUE IN WHICH AMERICA’S WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN HEAR DISCUSSION ON IMPORTANT, RELEVANT TOPICS SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT, HEALTHCARE, LEGISLATIVE ACTION, LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS, CORPORATE PRACTICES, FINANCES, LOCAL AND NATIONAL POLITICS, CONSUMER REPORTS AND LABOR ISSUES.

AMERICA’S WORK FORCE RADIO IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY OUR SPONSORS AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS, BMA MEDIA GROUP, COLUMBUS-CENTRAL OHIO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL, COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA, HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS AND ALLIED WORKERS, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS AND AEROSPACE WORKERS, INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PAINTERS AND ALLIED TRADES DISTRICT COUNCIL 6, KELLEY & FERRARO, LLP,  LABOR CITIZEN MAGAZINE, LABORERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA, NORTH COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION, MARITIME TRADES DEPARTMENT, OHIO FEDERATION OF TEACHERS-AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, UNITED AUTO WORKERS, UNITED LABOR AGENCY, UNITED STEELWORKERS.