16 Aug AFL-CIO Representatives Resign from Presidential Council on Manufacturing
Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on his and Thea Leeβs resignation from President Trumpβs council on manufacturing:
We cannot sit on a council for a President who tolerates bigotry and domestic terrorism. President Trumpβs remarks today repudiate his forced remarks yesterday about the KKK and neo-Nazis. We must resign on behalf of Americaβs working people, who reject all notions of legitimacy of these bigoted groups.
Itβs clear that President Trumpβs Manufacturing Council was never an effective means for delivering real policy that lifts working families and his remarks today were the last straw. We joined this council with the intent to be a voice for working people and real hope that it would result in positive economic policy, but it has become yet another broken promise on the Presidentβs record. From hollow councils to bad policy and embracing bigotry, the actions of this administration haveΒ consistently failed working people.
On CBS Wednesday August 16, TrumkaΒ discusses why the labor movement had to “follow its conscience” and why President Trump’s comments were unacceptable.