MADISON, WI – U.S. Reps. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) held a “Future of Work, Wages, and Labor” discussion at the UW-Madison with academic professionals, policy makers, and labor representatives from around the country. This was the first Wisconsin event, hosted by Rep. Pocan, in a series of discussions and town halls that are being held this year in Congressional districts across the country. (A series will be held in New Jersey later this year.) The goal of these discussions is to identify pathways forward to proactively grow and invigorate our labor force. Following the discussion on the UW-Madison campus, a listening session with labor leaders and local workers was held in Janesville, WI.

“My top priority in Washington is fighting for higher wages and good jobs for American families. I am grateful to be able to join my colleagues in Wisconsin and around the country as we hear from local experts on how to create good-paying jobs,” said Congressman Norcross. “Having been an IBEW electrician, I know firsthand how hard-working men and women continue to be the backbone of our economy and make our country stronger and safer. I am honored to be working to shape policies that raise wages and put American workers first. I thank Representative Pocan for hosting us here in Wisconsin as we look at ways to expand opportunities for hard-working American families.”

“Long before Donald Trump began talking about a rigged economy, Reps. DeSaulnier, Norcross, Dingell and I began investigating the ways conservative policy makers have been stacking the deck against workers in favor of big businesses and wealthy campaign donors,” said Congressman Pocan. "Whether it is the evaporation of retirement security or the misclassification of workers as independent contractors, hard-working families have been suffering the consequences of conservative policies for nearly four decades. We have seen the GOP’s war on workers in Wisconsin under Gov. Walker, and President Trump seems to be taking a page out of Walker’s playbook by sticking it to the people who elected him. I’m proud to be joined on this trip by so many other members of Congress, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to create a comprehensive set of policies to help working families get ahead.”

“The deck continues to be stacked against America’s working families, and the Trump Administration is already enacting policies that favor the wealthy and leave the middle class behind,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I thank my friend Congressman Mark Pocan for hosting this discussion and for joining me to create the ‘Future of Work, Wages, and Labor,’ an initiative aimed at finding solutions to help Americans earn a fair wage, provide for their families, own homes, and retire with dignity. Together, with the input from America’s workforce, leading researchers, and our colleagues, like Representatives Donald Norcross and Debbie Dingell, we will fight to ensure our working families are dealt a fair hand.

“Developing policies and programs that strengthen our workforce ensures that the United States’ labor movement remains strong and continues to support working families,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Thanks to Rep. Pocan for his leadership in addressing the obstacles faced by the American workforce and convening this critical dialogue that will help us better address the unique concerns of different industries and identify ways to proactively grow our labor force. Michigan remains an integral part of our country’s workforce, and we know just how important the continued growth of the middle class and the creation of quality jobs are to all Americans. I look forward to welcoming my colleagues to Michigan in June to continue the discussion.”

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Contact: Ally Kehoe, Communications Director
ally.kehoe@mail.house.gov