GrowJobsCT is a coalition encompassing labor, business, the community and elected representatives. Our mission is to build a campaign and a coalition aimed at halting the exodus of manufacturing jobs from our state.
"We believe that manufacturing can be sustained and even grown within our state."
As a state, we must provide: positive support for manufacturers who want remain or grow in Connecticut, or relocate here.
Connecticut must also: help ensure that manufacturing workers receive the training and education necessary to maintain superior skills, while recruiting young people into the fields which will sustain manufacturing here in the future.
And consider: appropriate and reasonable disincentives for large employers considering relocating work outside of Connecticut, as well as appropriate and reasonable expectations from businesses in return for state assistance.
Connecticut can and must also: seek to have an impact in the national and even international arenas where policies have for too long ignored local manufacturers and manufacturing workers.
Why Manufacturing Matters
- CT average annual wage: $52,664
- CT average annual manufacturing wage: $62,831 (*CT Dept. of Labor)
- 82% of manufacturing workers have health care coverage (Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut)
- Ripple effect:
- 1 manufacturing job creates an additional 2 to 4.2 non manufacturing jobs(Senator Joseph Lieberman, "Making America Stronger: A Report with Recommendation on Restoration of US Manufacturing")
193,400 CT Manufacturing Workers
- Pay taxes to state & local governments
- Enroll their kids in public schools
- Shop at the grocery store
- Pay for hospital stays through insurance
- Go out for a meal or a beer
Connecticut=Good Manufacturing
Connecticut is a good place for manufacturers to do business. We have an outstanding educational system, a solid infrastructure, a highly skilled workforce, a high-caliber subcontractor network and an excellent quality of life. We can do better! -- But we are doing well already.
The Problem
- Manufacturing jobs are disapearing from Connecticut at an alarming rate.
- April, 1990 – 302,700 Connecticut manufacturing workers.**
- April, 2004 – 193,400 Connecticut manufacturing workers.** (** US and Connecticut Department of Labor)
- A drop of 36.1% in 14 years.
- Many Connecticut manufacturers forced to close or lay off.
Some Reasons
- International outsourcing on unfair terms.
- Trade agreements indifferent to affected workers.
- Lack of public policy supportive of CT and/or domestic manufacturers.
- Legislation that encourages “globalization” of production.
- Media neglect of the issue.
- Uninformed policy & opinion leaders, including elected officials.
- Lack of sustained public outcry.
GrowJobsCT: a focus point for a critical issue in Connecticut.
GrowJobsCT brings together the many divergent and key elements necessary to halting and reversing the decline of manufacturing.
Our Strategy
- Build an expanding coalition.
- Engage in honest dialogue, address problems concretely and craft attainable solutions.
- Train/educate supporters and work to increase public awareness through the media.
- Link up with interested public officials.
- Introduce legislation, policy initiatives and local measures to preserve and grow manufacturing.
Our Allies
- The labor movement
- Connecticut-based manufacturers
- Business/employee associations
- Retail & Service Sector Businesses
- Community organizations
- Public officials
Our Structure Includes: a full-time director, an Advisory Board, endorsing organizations and interested individuals.
Our Agenda: is crafted and continually refined through dialogue with participating members and the GrowJobsCT Advisory Board.
Our Mission: is to find common ground among the various “stakeholders” interested in and working towards a healthy future for manufacturing in CT.
It's Not Too Late
193,400 Connecticut workers are employed in manufacturing today. They and their families pay taxes, care for & educate their children, patronize local businesses and sustain their communities Thousands of other Connecticut workers depend on the continued viability of our manufacturing base. This issue is now a top concern of many citizens and state leaders. Its time to coalesce that concern into a coalition, concrete proposals and action – before it is too late.
It's Time to GrowJobsCT
|
