[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 94 (Wednesday, July 15, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  GENERAL MOTORS EXPORTS AMERICAN JOBS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 15, 1998

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, GM, America's largest auto manufacturer, 
is embroiled in a costly and expensive showdown with the United Auto 
Workers. The strike is expected to cost GM around $1 billion in second 
quarter profits. This strike has nearly paralyzed GM's North American 
operations.
  Since NAFTA was signed into law by President Clinton, GM has 
aggressively shifted manufacturing jobs to places like Silao, Mexico. 
That's not the only GM plant in Mexico. At last count, GM has one car 
assembly plant, two truck assembly plants and 29 parts plants in Mexico 
employing a total of 70,000 Mexican workers. Unfortunately, it is not 
too far of a jump to conclude that these 70,000 jobs in Mexico came at 
the expense of 70,000 American workers.
  GM contends that these cost-saving measures are necessary for it to 
stay competitive in this global economy. In the unrelenting drive to 
fatten the bottom line, GM has thrown American workers to the side of 
the road.
  Free trade does not equal fair trade, especially when American 
working families suffer the consequences of our misguided trade 
policies that throws American workers out of work and only fattens the 
multinational corporations' bottom line. Corporations are in the black 
with record profits while American workers stand in the unemployment 
lines.
  The UAW is right on target in placing this at the core of their 
negotiations with GM. It is a valid issue that is of vital concern to 
all American workers in the manufacturing industry. I believe that it 
is fair to say that the outcome of this strike will highlight what is 
to come in the future. Will multinational corporations continue to move 
their manufacturing operations to foreign nations? Will they continue 
to export American jobs overseas?
  I urge my colleagues to consider these questions as this chamber is 
expected to consider MFM for China and fast track renewal authority 
later this year. With foreign trade equal to 30 percent of our gross 
domestic product, it is inextricably intertwined with our national 
economy. The dream of global free trade has been marred by realistic 
facts: the spiralling U.S. trade deficit, stagnant wages, and the 
export of American jobs.
  Wake up, America! It's time we stop this relentless, blind march 
toward the so-called ``global economy'' and embrace effective trade 
policies, and yes, perhaps even industrial policies, that will ensure a 
rising standard of living for the American people and protect vital 
economic interests. We can--and we must--do more for American workers 
by embracing trade policies that embraces American workers.
  It's time to stop representing the multinational corporations and 
time to start working for the American people.

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