Union workers react to stimulus

LAFAYETTE – Union members who took part in weekend rallies across Indiana mixed complaints about the nation’s recent job losses with calls for consumers to “Buy American.”

The workers rallied Saturday as part of union-sponsored “Rebuild America” events that came one day after Congress passed a $787 billion economic stimulus package that includes a “Buy American” clause.

In Lafayette, about 30 other union members and their families staged a downtown rally, calling on officials to invest tax dollars in American products and jobs.

The Lafayette rally was organized by United Steelworkers Local 115A, which represents workers at Lafayette Alcoa.

“We’re here to have our voices heard. It’s time American workers take a stand,” said Jerry Misner, president of USW Local 115A,.

Organizers asked participants to sign a petition asking local lawmakers to adopt resolutions to spend economic recovery funds on American products and to create and keep American jobs.

President Barack Obama’s $787 billion economic stimulus bill that passed Congress on Friday includes a “Buy American” provision that many people will argue about in the coming weeks, said Wayne Dale, a regional United Steelworkers official.

In Fort Wayne, more than 35 members of United Steelworkers Local 903 marched around the Allen County Courthouse on Saturday.

The crowd included 83-year-old Max Brickley, who has attended many such rallies in the 50 years he’s supported the labor movement.

“People in this country need work, the average person,” he said. “Big-business people are only protecting big business.”