The Leslie Marshall Show - 4/16/24- Restoring Our Nation's Lost Shipbuilding Capacity

Progressive Voices

Leslie is joined by the International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), David McCall. The two explore the topic of restoring the United States' lost shipbuilding capacity. President McCall first details how the USW, alongside four other labor organizations, filed a petition last month requesting the United States Trade Representative (USTR) open an investigation into China’s non-market practices as it seeks to dominate the commercial shipping market. Next, Leslie and President McCall discuss how the loss of shipbuilding capacity poses a grave threat to America's national security. The pair also explores how the U.S. loss of commercial shipbuilding capacity has directly resulted in the loss of high-paying manufacturing jobs in the sector and across the supply chain. Finally, President McCall breaks down how the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the danger of relying on foreign manufacturers to supply America's needs. President McCall previously served four years as International Vice President, leading negotiations that delivered wage increases, stronger job security and other gains for tens of thousands of workers in steel, tire and other key industries. McCall, a fourth-generation Steelworker, was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. His great-grandfather, grandfather, great-uncles, uncles and mother all worked at U.S. Steel’s Gary Works, and he walked his first picket line at age 7 during the USW’s 116-day, industry-wide strike in 1959. The website for the United Steelworkers is www.USW.org and their handle on X, Facebook and Instagram is @steelworkers.