Afl Quote by Charles Schumer
“The companies move labor to the lowest-cost markets. And so I don't - I used to support these agreements. In the Congress, I lost the AFL-CIO endorsement a few years because I supported them. But when middle class incomes are declining, these agreements don't work well for America.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Congressional remarks on trade and labor policy, 2015
The quote argues that shifting jobs to cheaper markets harms middle‑class wages and that previous support for such trade agreements is now seen as detrimental to America.
In simple terms: Moving jobs abroad hurts US middle class; prior support for trade deals is now questioned.
Key Takeaway
Reevaluate trade policies to protect domestic workers.
Themes
economy
labor
trade
politics
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
political
policy
economic
When to use this quote
- policy making
- union negotiations
- business strategy
- public advocacy
Key Concepts
globalization
income inequality
political accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance low‑cost imports with domestic job security?
- What alternatives exist to current trade agreements?
A Different Perspective
Trade benefits can be uneven; protecting jobs may raise consumer prices.
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