On February 17, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW) Leo W. Gerard marked the first anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), praising the stimulus bill for creating, sustaining and saving good jobs.
Mr. Gerard stressed that the USW applauds the findings of US President Barack Obama's administration report on the first year under the Recovery Act, which show it responded to the economic crisis that idled the jobs of industrial workers all across America.
Pointing out that the Recovery Act spending has created, saved or sustained nearly 2.1 million jobs through the end of 2009, Gerard said, "The job-creating impact of investments in infrastructure and the ‘Buy America' government procurement provisions have made a big difference in working family economics during uncertain times. When tax-payer monies are involved, US made products such as steel, glass, rubber and other manufactured inputs should be given preference for infrastructure projects for the construction of roads, bridges, public buildings and water systems."