(WILLIAMSVILLE) - During a wide-ranging discussion on a variety of issues important to Organized Labor across Western New York, U.S. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (Democrat-28th District/NY) told more than two dozen area Labor Leaders the answer to the Nation's economic problems "is to create more jobs" and that government must "move faster" to do so.

"The answer is more jobs," Slaughter said during her Labor Forum that was held in the suburban Buffalo offices of the New York State United Teachers Union earlier this week.  "We've been losing jobs since NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and we have to move faster to create a new economy.  With what I've seen come out of (the 28th District), from Hauptman Woodward in Buffalo to optics in Rochester, those in (New York) State have got to pull themselves together and start looking at more of these opportunities (for additional job creation).  Buffalo is doing better (economically) than the rest of my district."

In her roundtable discussion with Labor Leaders representing more than 20 area Unions, Slaughter offered an honest answer when asked by one Union representative whether she thought the Employee Free Choice Act - which would provide workers with the right to decide for themselves whether or not they want to be represented by a Union at their place of employment - would become reality in 2010.  "We were nine votes short in the Senate and I'm not that sure we will get (Employee Free Choice) done this year," she told those in attendance.

Speaking on the recent announcement of a $425 million investment in the General Motors Powertrain Plant in Tonawanda - which is expected to create 470 jobs at the plant - the Congresswoman congratulated those United Auto Workers (UAW) representatives in attendance: UAW CAP Director Sam Williams and Paul Entwistle, president of Lockport-headquartered UAW Local 686.  "It's a great compliment to the workers.  I've never seen such a commitment," she said.  Western New York UAW Representative Sam Williams, in turn, thanked Slaughter for her "full support."

Buffalo AFL-CIO President Michael Hoffert, meanwhile, brought to Slaughter's attention the slow movement of Federal Stimulus Program dollars into the Buffalo economy - which he said he understood to be at only around $10 million - and also cited a recent conversation he had with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, who suggested Organized Labor reach out to its Federally-elected representatives for answers.  Slaughter responded that she helped bring $329 million in Federal Stimulus money into the 28th District - which stretches from Rochester through Orleans County and through Niagara Falls and Buffalo - and directed Labor Leaders to visit www.recovery.com in order to track the release of federal dollars and where they are being spent for themselves.

When Sean Edwards of U.A. Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 22 chimed in to touch upon a number of upcoming construction projects that have and will occur on the grounds of the Niagara Falls Air Base, and the use of lobbyists - Slaughter responded: "I don't mess with lobbyists myself," and then quickly added: "I'm 'your' lobbyist," which was met with a positive response from those attending the Labor Forum.

Slaughter also listened to a number of issues and areas of concern brought to her attention by those from Organized Labor, including:

Remediation of Western New York's many brown-fields into useful economic opportunities by Phil Wilcox of IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 237, to which Slaughter's staff made those in attendance aware of a $20 million federal fund that can be drawn down on for remediation projects.  "I know it's not much," Slaughter said. "But it's a start," offered Slaughter Staffer Christopher Zeltman, who serves as the Congresswoman's Director of Economic Development.

Buffalo Teachers Federation Phil Rumore voiced his opinion on the Obama Administration's stance on public education as a "race to the bottom," and railed at the recent comments made by the president that condoned the firings for the entire education staff at a Rhode Island high school.  Rumore also criticized governmental remedies for troubled schools, including closing schools, transferring 50% of the teachers, transforming them into charter schools and/or installing a Merit Pay system for teachers.  "What good does it do closing a school?  And where do those teachers go?  And they're saying you have to pick one of these four options.  It does not address the problems, including class size and parental involvement," Rumore said.

Laborers Local 210 Business Manager Sam Capitano inquired about federal involvement in finally getting the Peace Bridge Project done and Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council Representative Earl Frampton highlighted problems facing Union Retirees regarding their Health Insurance co-pays, while CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association) Western Region 6 President Flo Tripi - whose mother recently passed away - detailed some of the problems she personally encountered with the Health Care System and what the elderly have to deal with, many of whom do not have the benefit of an advocate fighting for their rights.  "We should not be paying for all that unneeded (medical) testing," Congresswoman Slaughter opined.

NABET (National Association of Broadcast Employees & Technicians) Local 25 Representative Bob Hellwitz, meanwhile, drew a response from the Congresswoman when he asked about the hold-up by the U.S. Senate to confirm NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) presidential appointees Craig Becker and Mark Pearce - a Buffalo Labor Law attorney.  "We're pushing to have it done.  The selfishness (of Republicans) is appalling," Slaughter said.

Later in the week, WNYLaborToday.com received the following announcement from Communications Office of Congresswoman Slaughter, who serves as chair of the House Committee on Rules, which released her following statement on President Obama's 2010 Trade Policy Agenda and 2009 Annual Report: "I applaud the President's commitment to enforcement of our existing trade laws as well as the increased focus on non-tariff barriers in foreign markets.  The President showed a new commitment toward trade enforcement last year when he levied a duty on Chinese tire in response to United Steel Workers' Section 421 case.  Any positive trade policy is rendered useless if we do not enforce the laws and policy.  And it is critically important that the U.S. demonstrate to foreign competitors that if they abuse existing trade laws, or if they engage in predatory practices, that our government will stand up for the rights of American companies and American workers.  Additionally, non-tariff barriers are often the biggest inhibitor of American exports.  They are also some of the most difficult to combat and correct. I hope that the President and USTR Kirk are able to find new solutions to the problems posed by non-tariff barriers and help open up the markets of our trading partners to American products."