President Obama made a campaign-like
appearance Monday in Michigan to discuss on-going "fiscal cliff"
negotiations and legislation that has roiled worker unions in
Michigan, a hub of the labour movement in the United States.
Obama spoke at the Daimler Detroit Diesel Truck plant, where he
announced a 120-million-dollar investment by the German automaker in
the facility, which produces diesel engines for heavy-duty vehicles.
The investment will create 115 new jobs building transmissions and
turbochargers.
Obama arrived in Michigan from Washington, where slow-moving talks
on the fiscal cliff remain at the top of the agenda. Speaking to
employees of the plant, Obama said his economic strategy was the most
beneficial plan for the middle class.
The president said his efforts were aimed at bringing down the
federal budget deficit in a "balanced, responsible way."
Obama has consistently pushed higher tax rates on the highest
earners as a way to reduce the deficit. Republicans, who control the
US House of Representatives, have opposed higher tax rates, and talks
on avoiding the across-the-board income tax increases and budget cuts
taking effect in January have mostly stalled.
"I want a tax code that rewards businesses and manufacturers like
Detroit Diesel right here, creating jobs right here in Redford, right
here in Michigan, right here in the United States of America," Obama
said.
The investment in the plant will mean more products stamped "Made
in America," he said. For seven decades, workers at the plant have
done their part in US manufacturing, he said, "and now you're writing
a new, proud chapter to that history."
The plant started building axles alongside the engines eight years
ago. With the new investment, it will add transmissions.
The expansion will make the Daimler plant the first heavy-duty
vehicle manufacturer in North America to offer a fully integrated
power train from one production facility, the company said.
It means Daimler engineers will be able to design each part to
work more effectively with the rest. The result will be greater fuel
efficiency and lower total cost of ownership for customers, according
to Daimler.
Obama addressed a political firestorm that has been brewing this
month in Michigan over the state legislature's pending vote on
"right-to-work" legislation. The proposal would apply to the 17.5 per
cent of Michigan workers who hold jobs at unionized companies, giving
them the right to work in those companies without joining the union
or being forced to pay dues. Only police officers and firefighters
would be exempt.
Obama criticized the attempt to change the law in the state, where
the United Auto Worker's union was founded during the 1930s. The
legislation under consideration in Michigan would be a blow to all
unions represented in the state, he said.
Right-to-work laws "don't have to do with economics - they have to
do with politics," Obama said. "What they are really talking about is
giving you the right to work for less money."
Republicans say that unions, which overwhelming favour Obama's
left-leaning Democrats with campaign contributions and election
volunteers, should not be allowed to hold a legal cartel over the
workplace.
The Republican governor has pledged to sign right-to-work
legislation if it passes.
