“The opportunity here is essentially rebuilding the middle class – rebuilding the American dream.”
MADISON, Wis. – Senator Tammy Baldwin, Oshkosh UAW Local 578 President Bob Lynk, and Chief Steward Timothy Jacobson highlighted the positive impact bringing 1,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs to Oshkosh would have on the local economy and the state. The speakers noted that the state’s history of manufacturing, skilled workforce, and available production facilities make Oshkosh the ideal place to build the new USPS trucks.
Watch the full event here and see excerpts of what the speakers had to say below:
Senator Tammy Baldwin: “It’s my job to support job creation in Wisconsin and I want the trucks built here. Oshkosh Defense has a history of manufacturing vehicles in Wisconsin with experienced and skilled union labor, so I don’t like the fact that they decided to move production of the postal trucks to South Carolina in what appears to be a newly acquired facility with inexperienced, likely non-union hires … To me, it’s simple – I want Oshkosh Defense to manufacture trucks in Oshkosh with Wisconsin workers. The opportunity to build the new USPS trucks is the kind of rare opportunity that states yearn for to boost their local economies … We know we have skilled workers who haven’t been able to put their talents to work to build things here in America – and securing this contract to build USPS trucks can bolster Wisconsin’s economy even more.”
UAW Local 578 President Bob Lynk: “The simple fact is there is no better place to build these trucks then right here in Wisconsin. We have a huge pool of skilled laborers who are ready to get to work. Our workmanship is second to none, so building the next fleet of USPS trucks will be something we are more than capable of handling. We believe that Oshkosh Defense was awarded this contract because of our quality workmanship, and we have earned the right to build these trucks here in Wisconsin. We know we have a partner in Senator Baldwin who is doing the job we elected her to do – to fight for good paying jobs here at home and to start making things again in America.”
UAW Local 578 Chief Steward Timothy Jacobson: “We have a bustling downtown, great schools, and a community that prides itself on our manufacturing history and the small businesses that line Main Street. We have the resources to build these trucks here and to do it better than anyone else could – that’s why Oshkosh Defense was awarded this contract to begin with. I have friends and colleagues who would greatly benefit from the more than 1,000 jobs that could come to Oshkosh. They would have an easier time paying their mortgage and other bills, as well put money away for their kids’ futures. The opportunity here is essentially rebuilding the middle class – rebuilding the American dream.”
