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Title: New Trade Agreement May Hurt U.S. Jobs, Not Help
Source:
CBS NEWS
URL Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011 ... eveningnews/main20089118.shtml
Published: Aug 7, 2011
Author: Anthony Mason
Post Date: 2011-08-07 14:59:33 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 3500
Comments: 8
(CBS News) According to the latest unemployment report, American manufacturers added 24,000 jobs last month. But in Skowhegan, Maine, more than 300 manufacturing jobs could be on the line, as they face stiff competition from overseas. CBS News correspondent Anthony Mason reports that the looming trade agreement between the U.S. and several South Asian countries could unbalance an iconic American product. Skip Bowman knows his company, New Balance, would make more money if it shut down the plant and moved his job overseas. "Every day I walk through that door I am a part of the effort to keep this factory going," Bowman says. New Balance is the last major brand to produce athletic shoes in the U.S. About 25 percent of its manufacturing is still in New England, where it has operated for nearly 100 years. The privately held company says it is committed to its American workers. "If they were thinking about the bottom line and only the bottom line at all times, we wouldn't be here," says Pat Welch, plant manager. Obama promises job market "will get better" Unemployment drops to 9.1%; 117,000 jobs added That reality is not lost on the more than 300 people who work here. They work fast; 220 pieces move through 33 pairs of hands with efficiency. It takes 19 seconds to stitch and inspect each piece - less time to glue the soles. The results are significant. In 2004, it took 8 days to finish a pair of performance shoes. Today, this group finishes in less than 3 hours "The quicker we make the shoes, the cheaper it is," says Sarah Clark-Therrien, New Balance employee. Despite their efforts, a new threat has emerged. It's a trade agreement being pushed by the Obama administration called "The Transpacific Partnership," which would open eight developing markets - Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam - to U.S. goods. The goal of the agreement is to create jobs here, but it also removes a steep import tax on Vietnamese-made sneakers, which could actually threaten jobs at this plant. "If this tariff were lifted, it's not gonna help our business out," says New Balance Plant Manager Welch. The bottom line is that, no matter how efficient, Americans are 10 times more costly than Vietnamese workers, making the costs per shoe much lower. "This trade agreement makes me and the staff nervous because it's gonna reduce our competitiveness in making shoes domestically," Welch says. But New Balance bosses say they will stand by their workers. By adjusting its product line, or its prices, the management has vowed to keep the doors open. "We will not lay off any of our associates," says New Balance VP of Manufacturing John Wilson. "They're out there on a limb all by themselves, and we are their limb," says New Balance plant worker Ray Ellis. "We've got to hold them up, so we have to do our part."
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
New Balance are the only athletic shoes I wear. I have an E-width foot. They are one of the only manufacturers to offer E-width shoes. They offer them in more than one style. I'm also really hard on my shoes. New Balance shoes last forever. I had no idea that they were manufactured in the U.S.
I've had a pair of NB years ago and I too didn't realize they are made here. I'm due a new pair of athletic shoes and unless they fit horribly, they will be NB.
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
I've had two pair of New Balance shoes for about 5 years -- one for the gym and one for causal wear. They are both really worn out and dingy. I've been planning on replacing them both. I need to go this week before I head out to Taiwan.
You are not the 'no fly list' yet? I'm shocked. ;)
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
I need a new pair of athletic shoes too. I'll look for some. I think I owned a pair years ago. If you hadn't posted this I never would have known. Thanks. I used to buy wolverine work boots. They were made in this country for over a century. I bought a pair a few years ago and they moved to china. The sole of the shoe started disintegrating a month after I bought them. Before they always lasted a long time. I now buy Timberlands they last. It sucks that they are made in China too. I'd try some red wings but a buddy had a pair and they didn't hold up to good.
We need to hire you when it comes time to take care of the Libs, something that big they'll never forget......
When asked by a Liberal what I bought my Granddaughter for her 1st birthday I replied, "MORE AMMUNITION"!!!! -----------------------------"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
:)
I used to wear Red Wings religiously until about 4 years ago, they are junk now.... Even though the tongue says made in the USA I doubt it..... I've switched to Danners and they seem to be holding up pretty well, but they are more expensive that Timberlands..... Got them at RavenRock on Wilmington Pike....
When asked by a Liberal what I bought my Granddaughter for her 1st birthday I replied, "MORE AMMUNITION"!!!! -----------------------------"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
This small group of terrorists [Tea Party members] have made it impossible to spend any money. -- Mike Doyle (D-PA)
#2. To: jwpegler (#1)
I had no idea that they were manufactured in the U.S.
#3. To: Brian S (#2)
This small group of terrorists [Tea Party members] have made it impossible to spend any money. -- Mike Doyle (D-PA)
#4. To: jwpegler (#3)
(Edited)
I need to go this week before I head out to Taiwan.
#5. To: Brian S (#2)
I'm due a new pair of athletic shoes and unless they fit horribly, they will be NB.
#6. To: jwpegler (#1)
I have an E-width foot.
#7. To: CZ82 (#6)
We need to hire you when it comes time to take care of the Libs, something that big they'll never forget......
#8. To: A K A Stone (#5)
I'd try some red wings but a buddy had a pair and they didn't hold up to good.
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