FOXCONN DEAL MUST RESPECT WORKER FREEDOM

(Phil Neuenfeldt is president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. You can read more labor news at www.facebook.com/UnionLaborNews.

You find more labor news at www.scfl.org

Kevin Gundlach is president of the South Central Federation of Labor. The SCFL is an umbrella organization, consisting of 100 private and public sector unions representing thousands of workers in south central and south west Wisconsin.)

As Wisconsin shells out $3 billion to subsidize the private corporation of Foxconn, legislators will hand over an incentive package that is both the largest in state history and the biggest to a foreign company in the U.S.

Governor Walker and the legislature would be wise to ensure that any Foxconn deal puts Wisconsin workers front and center.

No tax dollars for union busting. There must be strong claw back language to ensure that the Foxconn doesn’t engage in union busting activity.

The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO has consistently advocated for economic development that spurs job creation and includes rights and protections for workers, Buy Wisconsin principles, increased technical college and training program grants, investments in infrastructure, and general aid to schools and municipalities.

Wisconsin jobs must not be undermined by Foxconn hiring out-of-state or out-of-country workers.

This deal should be inked with ironclad protections for taxpayers, local governments, and most importantly, Wisconsin workers. The Wisconsin AFL-CIO has laid out a Statement of Principles, Foxconn Deal Must work for Wisconsin’s Workers, to protect workers and taxpayers.

Working people deserve the same freedom that CEOs have: the freedom to negotiate a fair return on our work so we can provide for our families. All workers within the Foxconn Manufacturing Zone must be absolutely guaranteed the full American right to assemble and organize.

Workplaces are made safer, more secure, and the end-product more reliable when workers can come together as a team in union to negotiate without fear of retaliation.

No one supports Made in America and Made in Wisconsin more than the proud men and women of the Wisconsin labor movement. Wisconsin deserves reassurances that the jobs created by Foxconn are long-lasting, family-sustaining jobs with respect and dignity.