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U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12) along with her colleagues Reps. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) and Mark Pocan (WI-02) today brought together experts in labor, academia and manufacturing for a “Future of Work, Wages, and Labor” discussion at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The event is the third in a series of discussions and town halls that are being held this year in Congressional districts across the country to study the issues facing American workers and identify ways to proactively grow and invigorate the workforce. Following the U-M Dearborn discussion, the group met with UAW President Dennis Williams and Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa and held a roundtable discussion with local workers and labor leaders at UAW Region 1A.

The Representatives, along with Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) and other Members in the House are studying these issues and aiming to release a series of comprehensive policy recommendations by September.

“Many people in Michigan and across the country have not recovered from the 2008 economic downturn,” said Dingell. “The fear and anxiety is still there. People are concerned about their pensions, another trade deal shipping their job overseas, and the impact automation could have on their industries. We need to do everything we can to address the challenges facing working men and women and ensure they’re getting the skills they need. Michigan is one of the homes of the labor movement. We know how important the continued growth of the middle class and the creation of quality jobs are to all Americans. I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop policy recommendations that will expand opportunities for working families in Michigan and across the country.”

"It's great to be joining my colleagues in Michigan and around the country as we hear from local experts on how to create good-paying jobs. It is particularly interesting, here in Michigan, to hear from labor leaders in a 'right to work' state where unions have been marginalized," said Norcross. “I'm a lifetime union member of IBEW Local 351 and was an electrician by trade; I know firsthand that hard-working men and women are the backbone of our economy. I'm honored to be part of this group of lawmakers working to shape policies that raise wages and put American workers first."

“Long before Donald Trump began talking about a rigged economy, Reps. Dingell, DeSaulnier, Norcross and I began investigating the ways conservative policy makers have been stacking the deck against workers in favor of big businesses and wealthy campaign donors,” said Pocan. "Whether it is the evaporation of retirement security or the misclassification of workers as independent contractors, hard-working families have been suffering the consequences of conservative policies for nearly four decades. In Wisconsin, we have seen the GOP’s war on workers under Gov. Walker, and President Trump seems to be taking a page out of Walker’s playbook by sticking it to the very people who helped elect him. I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to create a comprehensive set of policies to help working families get ahead.”

“No longer should our working families come second to corporate interests,” said DeSaulnier. “Through our ‘Future of Work, Wages, and Labor effort and events we are holding across the country, like today’s discussion in Michigan, we are developing solutions to help Americans earn a livable wage, provide for their families with fulfilling jobs, own homes, and when the time comes retire with dignity. I thank Congresswoman Debbie Dingell for hosting this timely event and my colleagues Representatives Mark Pocan and Don Norcross for their leadership on behalf of the American worker.”