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HRC - UAW [United Auto Workers] 4/21/96
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HRC - UAW [United Auto Workers] 4/21/96
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THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY
phone 202-456-6266
fax 202-456-6244
Lina
TO
FROM
June
FAX #
PHONE #
5
# OF PAGES (including cover)
COMMENTS
I'm faxing this to you, just
in case
FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
REMARKS TO UAW LEGISLATIVE-POLITICAL CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
APRIL 21, 1996
Thank you President [Steve] Yokich [YOH-kitch]. Thank-you
so much for giving me this opportunity to speak to all of you in
the UAW who are working so hard to keep the American Dream alive
and attainable for all families who are willing to work for it.
On behalf of the President, I want to thank each of you,
members of this great union, for all you're doing to improve the
lives of working men and women and their children all across our
country. From civil rights to Medicare to the minimum wage, the
UAW has always been there, fighting for America's workers, for
the elderly, for the disadvantaged. For more than half a
century, you have been at the forefront of economic and social
progress.
On the eve of the 21st century, America is the great nation
it is today because of your hard work. But, unfortunately it
seems that there are some in our country who are threatening to
take our country one hundred years backward, to undermine all
that you and all of us who believe in economic justice have
achieved on behalf of families.
You've come to Washington at a very crucial time for working
families. What happens in Congress and in the political debates
in the coming months will profoundly affect families, and their
ability to thrive in the 21st century.
Three years ago, you sent a President to the White House who
promised to put people first, to reinvigorate America's working
families, and to restore in them a sense of economic well-being
that had been slowly slipping away during the previous
administrations.
You sent a President and Vice-President to Washington to
generate growth and jobs, to increase incomes, to shrink the
underclass and grow the middle class. That President and Vice
President have made a great start.
In the last three years, 8.5 million new jobs have been
created. We have the lowest combined rates of unemployment and
inflation in 27 years. And we've halted the long decline in
median hourly wages. This is the record to build on, not to
retreat on. We have to do more, especially for our families and
children.
Tonight, I want to talk about families. About the UAW's
priorities for workers and their children. About the President's
1
achievements on behalf of families. And about what we all need
to do to help families survive and thrive in a rapidly changing
world.
The fight to save the American Dream and support America's
families must begin with the fight to save America's workers,
their incomes, and their jobs.
We are living in an exhilarating -- yet sometimes
bewildering -- time. Technology is advancing at breathtaking
speed. And as our world becomes more complex, it is also
becoming smaller. American workers are being asked to perform
more sophisticated tasks and to compete with their counterparts
all over the world.
We won't succeed in this new world without your continued
hard work and leadership. Because of the partnership between
labor and management, the United States auto industry was number
one in the world last year for the first time in 15 years. In
four years before the President's election, the auto industry
lost 49,000 jobs. Now three years into his presidency, 47,000
new jobs have been created.
American labor is coming back and coming on strong. When
the President first took office, he got rid of his predecessors'
anti-worker, anti-union executive orders. Last spring, he signed
his own executive order which forbid companies that do business
with the government to permanently replace striking workers.
Recently, the President directed the Justice Department to take
all appropriate steps to overturn a recent court decision
blocking that executive order.
The President will veto any effort to weaken Section 8 (a) 2
of the National Labor Relations Act. He vetoed legislation that
would have given corporations the green light to raid workers'
pension funds.
He is fighting to preserve working people's hard-earned wage
protections. The Davis-Bacon Act and the Service Contract Act
are the foundations for decent living standards for many
Americans. Some in Congress want to take them away, but the
President will resist those efforts. He will help you protect
the standard of living you have fought SO hard and long to
maintain.
The President is committed to policies that reward work.
That's why he expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit to give a tax
cut to more than 15 million working families with incomes under
$28,000. And that is why he supports an increase in the minimum
wage to make it a living wage.
2
If Congress doesn't act this year, the minimum wage will be
at its lowest real value in 40 years. And yet, there are a lot
of single parents and quite a few families who are struggling to
raise their children on $4.25 an hour.
For years, both parties have agreed that the minimum wage
should keep up with the cost of living. This year, however, the
Congressional majority has walked away from this tradition, and
tried to block an increase in the minimum wage.
One member of a group of moderate Republicans who broke with
their party's leadership said it best: "This is not a
complicated issue. It should not be a partisan issue. It's
timely. It's right, and I think we should do it."
An increase in the minimum wage honors family and work.
Congress should stop blocking an increase in the minimum wage and
pass it -- with no gimmicks, no political games, and with no
controversial amendments. That's the way to help our people make
the most of their lives. We must do what we can to help these
hard-working families and to close the gap between richest and
poorest working citizens of our country.
Beyond wages, we must also be concerned about a worker's
health and safety in the workplace. I find it terribly ironic
that those who purport to care about the health and safety of
Americans are also trying to gut health and safety standards in
the workplaces. They have introduced legislation that would cut
OSHA's enforcement budget by a third and effectively relieve
employers of their duty to provide safe working environments.
How can workers take our country forward into the 21st
century when so many are trying to take working conditions back
to the 19th century? I thought we settled this ages ago:
American workers should not have to put their health and safety
in jeopardy just to feed their families. It's not right.
It is time we accepted a fundamental lesson: Treating
working people in a decent, fair, humane, enlightened way gives
you a stronger American economy, not a weaker one.
That doesn't mean we don't have to adapt to new times and
change some of the ways we do business. Change is inevitable and
ultimately there are some types of jobs that will go the way of
the Edsel and the horse-drawn carriage. Under the President's
new G.I. Bill for American workers, men and women who lose their
jobs to corporate layoffs and downsizing will receive vouchers to
pay for the retraining they need -- whether it's college or an
apprenticeship -- to become employable again.
Economic security goes hand-in-hand with health security.
3
One of the first things my husband signed was the Family and
Medical Leave Act so that workers could take time to care for
sick family members without being afraid of losing their jobs.
Families today are much stronger because of that bill.
I want to take a moment to thank you for your support these
past few years in our efforts to reform our health care system.
We may not have been successful in passing health reform, but we
sure made it clear that something must be done. The President is
pushing hard to pass the Kennedy-Kassebaum bill to make sure that
Americans who lose or change jobs do not lose their health
insurance as well.
And we must protect Medicaid and Medicare. These programs
are the safety net for millions of Americans, from the seniors
who worked so hard to make America the great country it is today
to the children who will make it even greater tomorrow.
More than one in five children in this country is eligible
for Medicaid. And all of those children, whether they are
related by blood to us or not, are our children. They are our
future. Do we want them to be in jail twenty years from now, or
in school or in the workplace? I don't know about you, but when
I retire, I'd rather have them out there as healthy, well-
educated, working members of our society.
Education will be the key to the survival of the American
worker in the 21st century. That's why we must remain committed
to funding Head Start, to computerizing the classrooms and to
keeping our schools safe and drug free. The Clinton
Administration is committed to making college available to every
one who is willing to study hard. The President has expanded
Pell grants and made student loans more accessible.
The next millennium will be here sooner than we know it. We
are moving from an industrial age to an information age. We have
moved from the bipolar world of the cold war to a global village
full of endless possibility and daunting challenge.
We have to harness this change to benefit the average
working family. We must do it in ways that are consistent with
the values that made America great and make life worth living,
values that your movement embodies -- a commitment to opportunity
for every American; to the dignity of work; to strengthening
families, nurturing children and honoring parents; and to working
together, regardless of race, income or religion.
This country was built by people from all corners of the
world who shared a common faith in democracy and the American
Dream. They were people who were never afraid of change or
challenge. We can't be, either. There is still so much we can
4
and must do together, as one American family. Thank-you for
doing your part.
###
5
Page 3
137TH STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright 1996 Reuters, Limited
Reuters World Service
April 10, 1996, Wednesday, BC cycle
LENGTH: 617 words
HEADLINE: Clinton set to sound bright note on Japan car pact
BYLINE: By Donna Smith
DATELINE: DETROIT, April 10
BODY:
President Bill Clinton is set to unveil on Friday a review of the car trade
pact reached with Japan last year showing a dramatic rise in U.S. sales.
A 46 percent jump in sales to Japan last year by the "Big Three" U.S.
automakers gives Clinton a chance to set aside the frictions that normally
dominate U.S.-Japan trade relations ahead of next week's meeting in Tokyo with
Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.
American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) President Andrew Card
expects the report to show significant progress in three of the four areas
covered by the agreement: sales of U.S.-made parts to Japanese car makers,
deregulation of the replacement parts market and sales of U.S. brand cars.
AAMA represents Chrysler Corp., Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp.
"The glaring exception to that progress is in the area of dealerships," Card
said. "There is still significant concern from the U.S. manufacturers that the
number of high volume vehicle outlets that are carrying our product is not
progressing to the point where it will meet our expectations.
"We hope there will be more resolve on the part of the Japanese to allow
their consumers to have lasting access to American made products," he added.
Card also expressed concern about the dollar's recent strength against the
yen, which he said could make U.S. cars and parts less competitive on price.
The 97,380 Big Three sales in Japan last year included cars made in Europe.
Sales of cars made in North American by the U.S. makers totalled 58,469, up 29.5
percent over 1994.
Japanese manufacturers are also quick to point out that they account for a
large share of car exports from the United States.
Exports of Japanese cars made in the United States, excluding sales to
Canada, totalled 174,000 in 1995, down from 191,000 in 1994, but up from 121,000
in 1993, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said.
U.S. car manufacturers hoped the agreement would help them sign up at least
Page 4
Reuters World Service, April 10, 1996
200 new dealerships in Japan by the end of 1996. So far they have signed up 30
new dealers.
Despite lack of significant progress on signing up new dealers, manufacturers
are still hopeful. Ford recently signed up a Nissan dealer, who also serves as
head of the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.
"The recent developments are encouraging, but we need considerably more,"
said Ford spokesman Albert Chambers.
Chrysler recently said it was signing up four new dealers in Japan which will
give the company an additional 54 new sales outlets.
The agreement to open Japan's car market to more U.S. cars and parts was
struck in Geneva last June just hours before the United States was set to slap
punitive import tariffs on Japanese luxury cars.
The high profile fight with Japan over cars played well politically for
Clinton in Michigan, a key battle ground state in his year's presidential
election campaign.
But Hashimoto, who as the then trade minister negotiated the car deal for the
Japanese, was seen by some critics as gaining the upper hand in the final
agreement by refusing to accept numerical targets demanded by the Americans.
Trade analysts said that lack of targets made the agreement unenforceable.
But for the most part, U.S. officials and industry leaders have expressed
optimism.
Card said that by the time Clinton meets with Hashimoto next week, Japan will
have met its obligations under the agreement to untangle some of the red tape in
the repair market that kept U.S.-made parts out of Japanese repair shops.
The agreement calls for Japan's Ministry of Transportation to review further
deregulation of the replacement parts market and issue a report by September.
17:42 04-10-96
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: April 11, 1996
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 12, 1996
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT THE RELEASE OF THE JAPAN AUTOMOBILE PROGRESS REPORT
The East Room
2:40 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Mr. Vice President, Ambassador Kantor,
Senator Levin and Congressman Levin, all the distinguished leaders from the auto industry and
Mr. J.C. Phillips from the UAW, and to Jim Hill, all the people here from the agencies that are
part of our nation's economic team that really worked so hard to achieve these results:
I want to thank you for what you said, Jim. I am a car guy. I was six years old the first
time I crawled underneath a 1952 Buick in my father's tiny dealership in Hope, Arkansas,
population 6,000, and I never quite got over it. And one of the things that I promised myself
I would do if I ever got a chance to have an impact on it was to give the American automobile
industry the chance to be rewarded for its willingness to compete. And that is what we have
worked hard to do in this administration.
I just saw something -- Mickey Kantor and I walked outside, along with the Vice
President, Mr. Panetta, and I saw something I never thought I would live to see. And just four
years ago, if you had told me that I would see it, I'm not sure I would have believed it --
right-hand drive American models made by American workers in American plants bound for
Japan.
A Ford Taurus, a GM-built Cavalier, a Chrysler Neon built for the Japanese market
where consumers are now freely buying tens of thousands more American cars than ever before.
These new exports, as others have said, are the results of efforts by our car makers and our
economic team. We have worked to expand our trade on fair terms not only with Japan, but
with others throughout the world. These exports show what we can do when we truly would
together and when others work with us in a spirit of cooperation and mutual benefit.
The boost in sales is tremendous news for American workers, for our auto and auto parts
manufacturers, for our strong relationship with Japan. I also want to say it is good news for the
people of Japan. When I first went to Japan in 1993, I said to the Japanese people what I will
have the opportunity to reiterate in just a couple of days -- we have no more important bilateral
relationship. We are bound together in our support for democracy and freedom and for the
security of freedom loving peoples in Asia -- and now elsewhere as Japan has shouldered bigger
and bigger burdens to help us all pursue the goals that we share.
We also know that if we have a free and open trading relationship with them, it will help
their economy, it will give their consumers more choices, and it will help both nations to be
more competitive as we hurdle our way forward into the 21st century.
Just three years ago our ties were strained by a trading relationship not
beneficial to our nation. The trade wasn't working, but the ties weren't working
either. Today our relationship is working better for both of us. There's a lot to be
done. In a big and complex relationship like ours there will always be a lot to be
done. But we are strengthening and deepening our relationship. It is now a powerful
force for creating opportunity, for advancing democracy, and for improving the quality
of life in both our countries.
I also want to say that, as Ambassador Kantor said earlier, I believe
that the right kind of trade is critical for our nation's future. I believe the position
of the United States must always be that we favor open trade. We are not afraid to
compete. We believe we can win. But if we're going to live in a world where we
want others to raise their standard of living to our level, and we no longer control
anything like the percentage of the gross national product we did at the end of World
War II, then, fine, we'll compete, and we'll help others to advance. But we expect
the same access to foreign markets that we give foreign producers to ours. It is a
simple rule and one we have followed. It is a critical part of our economic strategy.
When I became President job growth was slow, the deficit was
exploding, more than twice as high as it is now. We did two things. We put in place
an economic strategy, lowered the deficit, cut it in half in four years, get interest rates
down, increase investments in education and training, in research and technology,
reform and shrink and make more effective the national government; and expand trade
on terms both free and fair. That strategy has been implemented by a national
economic team -- the first time we ever had a fully functioning National Economic
Council to parallel our National Security Council, to integrate, plan and implement the
economic strategies of this county and to work in full partnership with the private
sector.
We now have 8.5 million more jobs than we had just three years ago.
And I might say, of the G-7 countries, that's more than 8 million more than the other
six nations combined. We have the lowest combined rates of unemployment and
inflation in 27 years. And trade has been critical to that; as Ambassador Kantor said,
200 separate agreements -- 20 with Japan alone, now 21. Our exports are at an
all-time high, our auto producers now leading the world.
Even more important, we have a framework agreement in our
relationship with Japan which establishes a comprehensive system for dealing with
problems that inevitably arise between two great nations. As a result, our exports
there are up over 30 percent; in the areas covered by the agreements, up 85 percent.
Today, exports to Japan support more than 800,000 good paying American jobs,
including 150,000 new ones since 1992. Most of these are good, high-wage jobs
because jobs tied to exports on average pay 15 percent above the national average
wage.
We are, therefore, in expanding our trade to an all-time high -- a full
third in the last three years -- slowly helping to change the wage picture that has
bedeviled so many American workers who think that they'll work harder and harder
and never get a raise.
In 1992, six percent of our new jobs were in high-wage industries. In
1995, almost 60 percent of our new jobs were in high-wage industries. This strategy
will work. It is not a miracle, it will not work overnight. It plainly depends for its
success
primarily on the willingness of American workers and American
business leaders to work together, to be competitive, to be productive. But it will
work. This report shows the difference this approach will make.
Last year we reached a landmark agreement that increased our access
to the Japanese market for autos and for auto parts. One of the many legacies of our
friend, Secretary Ron Brown, was the establishment with Ambassador Kantor, of a
team to monitor and to enforce the agreement. This report shows that since the
agreement was signed sales of American-made autos have increased by more than a
third. Sales of American-made cars, trucks and vans rose more than 225 percent
between 1992 and 1995, including over 58,000 Big Three cars exported from the U.S.
just last year. In the first two months of this year, our people sold one-third more
autos to Japan than in the same period last year. So the movement is all in the right
direction.
In auto parts, exports over the last three years up 60 percent, to $1.6
billion last year. Now, to give you one example of the evidence that this agreement
and its faithful implementation and your work has made, Tennaco Automotive of
Houston spent 25 years attempting to break into the Japanese market. Now their
Monroe shock absorbers will be sold in almost 7,500 Japanese shops.
These developments are part of the rebirth of our auto industry, and
industry that lost 49,000 jobs in the four years before I took office and has gained
about 80,000 in the three years since. Because of the partnership between labor and
management, for the first time in 15 years, last year the United States auto industry
again was number one in the world.
So again, let me thank the
representatives of the Big Three, the many auto parts producers, and all the workers
who have worked so hard to make our belief in this economic strategy a reality.
The Big Three will be introducing 17 new right-hand models for the
Japanese market in the next two years. To those of us who have any memory of this,
it seems almost inconceivable. But you always believed you could compete with
anybody, anywhere, as long as you had a level playing field. I still believe that. I
know we're right. And I know all Americans will be very proud of these results.
Let me just say one other thing about the trade issue, I'm happy about
the debate in America on trade today, but I sometimes think it falls into two camps
which don't reflect the real world. There are people who say, well, America has got
a lot of folks who haven't gotten a raise in a long time, and we may be creating a lot
of jobs but there are people who are losing jobs. Well, that's true.
But it is also true everywhere in the world. It is not true that the
answer is to put a wall up around America and walk away from our obligations and
our opportunities to compete and win. If we did that, we would pay a terrible price.
Then there are others who say, well, we ought to be for free trade, but we shouldn't
worry so much about all these specific agreements and all these details. We shouldn't
have governments negotiating this, we ought to just sort of get out of the way and see
what happens and hope for the best. We tried it that way and it didn't work out very
well.
Both of those arguments are wrong. Neither reflects an understanding
of how the real world works. The right policy is to be for free and fair trade. The
right governmental action is to support a genuinely competitive marketplace, help to
create it and then get out of the way. That is the proper policy. If we put up walls,
what would happen to the jobs of the people who make cars in plants like the Chrysler
plant in Belvidere, Illinois, or Fords in Atlanta or Chevrolets in Loraine, Ohio, that
produce those right hand drive vehicles we just saw?
On the other hand, if we didn't want to hold others to the same
standards we expect to meet in world competition, what would happen to all the jobs
of the people who would not be able to stand against the kinds of unfair practices we
have seen practiced in the past?
We made a good start in the auto industry. The Japanese have
proceeded in good faith. I think it's been good for them, as well as us. I hope that
we will see the day when these policies will be the law of the world, when the World
Trade Organization, because of GATT really will have an integrated world trading
system. I hope we will see the day when we will see these kind of benefits in dealing
with all of Asia, all of Latin America, all of Europe, all of Africa, all of the countries
that were formerly part of the communist block.
But I know this: These people in the auto industry have proved that
our policy works. I thank you, Senator Levin and Congressman Levin, for your work.
I want to thank all the people in our administration, the economic team and, most of
all, I want to thank the workers and the managers in the auto industry for proving that
we're doing the right thing.
Now, before I close let me just make one more announcement. We
could not have done what we did here if we hadn't had a vision not only of the
economic policy we wanted to pursue. but also of how we wanted to pursue it. We
put together an economic team for the first time in the history of this government that
really functions. I can't imagine why it had never been done before, but it hadn't.
There were a lot of different power centers in the federal government
allegedly making economic policy. We decided to change that. We had a good
strategy, good teamwork, and good players. We didn't have a better player than the
late Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown. Nobody was more determined that American
workers and companies would get a fair shake around the world, and his extraordinary
efforts are a model for us all.
He memorized -- as I said at his memorial service the other day, he
made every Department of Commerce memorize a one-sentence mission statement that
ought to be the mission of everybody in our government: Our mission is to ensure
economic opportunity for every American.
Well, we still have to do that. And I don't want to miss a beat. And
I am determined that we will continue on the work that Ron Brown was engaged in
the last day of his life. So today I am proud to announce that I intend to appoint
Ambassador Mickey Kantor to be the next Secretary of Commerce. And I will send
his nomination to the Senate promptly.
This is not an easy time for the people at the Commerce Department,
but they will do fine. And I think that we need to send a clear signal to the rest of
America and to the world that we don't intend to miss a beat. We have got a strategy,
we have got a team, it's working, and we're going forward with it.
No Trade Representative has ever amassed a record of achievement
that surpasses Mickey Kantor's in the last three and a half years -- GATT, NAFTA,
200 separate agreements, enforcement, the consequences that flowed from it. But,
frankly, it hasn't been easy. If you think that you have been to something tough, you
ought to sit in those trade negotiations day in and day out, and then when you finish
one, be told to get on an airplane to fly halfway around the world and get in the
middle of another one.
I have heard Mickey say a thousand times he was six-foot-four and
blond-headed when he came to work here. (Laughter.) He and Ron Brown used to
joke, you know, that they were the Alphonse and Gaston of our economic team.
Mickey was the bad cop, Ron was the good cop. I thought we ought to give him the
chance to be a good cop for a change. (Laughter.) And I want to thank him for his
service.
I also want to announce that I will ask his principal deputy, Charlene
Barshefsky, who has been a brilliant negotiator for our country, to serve as acting
U.S. Trade Representative. She has been a deputy there since I took off. She has
been our chief trade negotiator in Latin America and in Asia. She is not here today
because she is on her way back from a trade mission. And I have gone to many
places and had world leaders ask me who she was because they virtually got tears in
their eyes after four or five hours of trying to outmaneuver her. (Laughter.) So I
want to thank her in her absence.
Finally, I want to make one more announcement. In just a few days
we will have another very important vacancy in our economic team, one that has been
critical to the success of our plans to being able to cut the deficit in half and continue
to invest in America's priorities. And that is the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget. I have been very blessed to have two outstanding Directors,
and I gave them both other jobs.
Leon Panetta is now serving with great distinction as the White House
Chief of Staff and longs for the days when he used to have that other job. (Laughter.)
Alice Rivlin will soon be moving on to become the vice chair of the Federal Reserve
Board, and therefore the object of our complaints whenever the economy is not
growing as we think it should. (Laughter.)
And so there is, or soon will be, a vacancy at the Office of
Management and Budget. And I am pleased to announce today that I intend to
nominate as the next director, Franklin D. Raines.
Frank Raines has had extensive experience in government and in the
private sector. He worked at OMB and on the domestic policy staff under President
Carter. Since 1991, he has served in the very important position of vice chair of the
Federal National Mortgage Association, Fannie Mae. He knows the world of finance,
he respects the bottom line. He also understands, I know from our work in the
transition and from a conversation we had just yesterday, the very real, human impact
the work of the budget has on the American people, and the opportunities they will or
will not have to make the most of their own lives. So I am very proud to ask him to
join our team.
I, frankly, was a little surprised that he was willing to leave that
incredibly lucrative position -- how shall I say it. (Laughter.) So I told Frank when
he came here that he was about to join the ranks of Bob Rubin and Mickey Kantor and
a number of other successful people who came into this administration to help save the
middle class, and when they leave they'll be part of it. (Laughter.)
As you might imagine, this has been a profoundly moving and difficult
week for all of us in our political family. Mickey Kantor and I were particularly close
to Ron Brown; we loved him very much. I am doing what I think is the right thing
to do today for the economic interests of America's business and for the future of all
those workers who deserve the opportunity that is set out in the Commerce
Department's mission statement. I've known Mickey Kantor a very long time. Except
for the color of their skins, the careers that he and Ron Brown had are remarkably
parallel over a long period of time. And if he does as well at Commerce as he did at
the Trade Office, we are in very good hands, indeed.
I also want to thank Frank Raines for proving once again that this
country is full of patriotic Americans who love their country, who are willing to serve,
and who are willing to make real, tangible sacrifices to serve, because the work of
democracy, the work of citizenship is what makes the rest of this country move and
go.
I thank them both, and I'd like to ask if each, in their turn, they'd like
to come up and just make a few remarks. First, Mickey Kantor. (Applause.)
AMBASSADOR KANTOR: Mr. President, you honor me with your
confidence and you honor me with your friendship of so many years. Mr. Vice
President, thank you for the same. I couldn't have two better friends in the world,
and I appreciate it very, very much.
I have three -- with all due respect to you, a little more important
people off to my right. Almost everyone gets off to my right once in a while.
(Laughter.) My wife, Heidi Schulman; my son, Doug, who is a graduating senior at
Yale Law School; and his wife, Allison. Thank you for being here. I love you.
(Applause.)
I talked to Alma Brown just -- oh, about an hour ago, and she was
gracious enough and loving enough to say that Ron would have loved this moment to
see me standing here. We stood shoulder to shoulder to make sure we grew jobs and
raised standards of living, and did what the President said, and that is provide
economic opportunity for every American. It's what we did before we came here; it's
what we did when we came here. And I will continue that legacy. That is my pledge,
that is my goal, that is what I am going to do. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
MR. RAINES: Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, I'd like to thank
you very much for giving me this opportunity, an opportunity to serve our country at
a very important time. It's something I was taught throughout my life to be something
important. You don't grow up with the initials F.D.R. -- (laughter) -- without having
some appreciation of the role and the positive role that government can play in the
lives of people throughout this nation and throughout the world.
I am very happy that in the nick of time some people very important
to me were able to be here -- my wife, Wendy; daughters, Laura, Andrea and Sarah.
(Applause.) I'll have to explain to them later exactly what is going on here.
(Laughter.) But it is a great honor for me to have the opportunity to assist the
President and Vice President in carrying out the very important work that they have
been carrying for the last three years, and that is to establish a fiscal policy that makes
sense for this country and for the world.
I think we're at a historic moment. I did serve in the Budget Office
previously. In those time we would invent exactly what are targets were in terms of
what we were trying to do in setting up a budget. And you could always resolve the
problem by compromising by saying, well, let's just add another $10 billion or $20
billion and say that we reached an agreement.
But that is not a fiscal policy. A fiscal policy has to be tied to what
you want to achieve in the economy. But more importantly, we're at a time when we
can match a fiscal policy with an expression of the values of the country. And I think
the important debate that is going on now is one that we will all look back on as being
historic, and that is, can a country this large and this complicated, with a budget as
big as the budget we have is, not just talk about line items and talk about interest
groups, but say how does this match up with what we as a nation are trying to
achieve.
Mr. President, as you know, there is a big debate going on about
growth and the potential for growth. And we all know that if we can get a little more
growth in the economy we can solve a lot of our problems. But the economists are
debating how fast can the economy grow. But that argument is a little sterile because
it always assumes that you're just going to leave the economy as you find it and you're
not going to try to change anything.
Well, business leaders know they don't just take the company as they
find it and see, well, what's the best I can do if I don't change anything. You change
the inputs. You change the throughputs. And part of this values discussion that the
President has led has been one that says let's do something about education. Let's do
something about training. Let's improve productivity so we can have more growth,
more wealth, more ability to improve the living standards of people throughout the
nation.
And that's what I view the charge of this job to be -- to help the
President carry out that mandate which is to make this economy more vibrant, not by
wishing, not by hoping, but by doing, by changing the ability of American workers
to create wealth that they can share in so that people throughout the nation will see a
higher standard of living.
So, Mr. President, I look forward to this opportunity. I don't look
forward to telling my colleagues at Fannie Mae that I won't be with them any longer
because we've had a wonderful experience there in the largest company in the country,
one that's serving the public purpose, expanding home ownership.
But this task is one that I hope I can have a significant effect on, that
I can be an assistant to you, as well as to assist members of Congress in coming
together on a broad agreement that will provide the economic basis for continuing one
of the longest expansions in history and to turn it into the longest expansion in history
with the greatest increase in well being for the average American.
Thank you. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: We're adjourned. Thank you. (Applause.)
END
3:11 P.M. EDT
FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
UNITED AUTO WORKERS
SHERATON WASHINGTON HOTEL
APRIL 21, 1996
Thank you, President [Steve] Yokich. I am happy to be here tonight. I want to thank
you for all you're doing to improve the lives of your members and of working families
across the country.
It is especially a pleasure to talk to you today, at a time when American labor is
coming back and coming on strong. Unions helped build the middle class, by bringing
higher wages and better working conditions to generations of Americans. We all know that
union membership means higher wages, safer jobs, and good benefits -- like health
insurance and pensions.
Bill Clinton ran for President in 1992 to fight for America's workers -- to give them a
sense of security and economic well-being that had been lost. He called his plan "putting
people first" -- something the labor movement has always done.
He wanted to put government back on the side of average, hard-working people. In
this era of momentous economic change, he wanted to ensure that the American Dream of
opportunity would continue to be available to all who were willing to work for it.
For three years, President Clinton has sought to make government reflect the values
working people have struggled for over the course of this century as they built the American
labor movement -- values that your movement continued to represent at the dawn of a new
century. Fair treatment on the job. The chance to make a decent living, support your
families and build your communities.
Since President Clinton took office, 8.5 million new jobs have been created.
Unemployment has stayed below 6 percent for 18 months. Inflation and interest rates are
low. And the long decline in median hourly wages has stopped.
But we must do more. We must continue to focus on the concerns working
Americans have about their own economic security at a time when the country is undergoing
and economic transformation every bit as momentous as the exodus from farms to factories a
century ago.
That's why President Clinton fought for passage of the Family Medical Leave Act.
He expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit and gave a tax cut to 14 million working
families with incomes under $28,000.
One of the first things President Clinton did after taking office was to get rid of his
predecessor's anti-worker, anti-union executive orders. He signed an Executive Order last
spring saying in no uncertain terms that this administration will not allow companies that do
business with the government to permanently replace striking workers. And recently, he
asked the Justice Department to take all appropriate steps to overturn a recent court decision
blocking that Executive Order.
The Congressional leadership wants to roll back the progress we've made over the
past few decades to ensure that our workers will be safe and that their families will be
provided for. But if Congress succeeds in passing an OSHA-gutting bill, a company union
bill or Davis-Bacon repeal, President Clinton will veto them as soon as they reach his desk.
President Clinton has stood firm against proposals that would hurt our people. He is
proud to have cut the budget deficit in half. And he has proposed a balanced budget. But
we do not need to undercut Medicare, Medicaid, education or the environment to balance the
budget. Last year, President Clinton vetoed a Republican plan that violated our values. And
if necessary, he would do it again.
Now we are calling on the Congress to pass an economic security agenda, so that all
Americans can be winners of economic change. President Clinton is working to make sure
that workers can keep their pension, even if you change your job. He vetoed legislation that
would have given a green light to corporations to raid their pension funds. He's fighting for
a new G.I. Bill for America's workers, so that when someone loses a job, he or she gets a
voucher to pay for a training program to get a new skill.
And he's fighting to increase the minimum wage. If Congress doesn't act this year,
the minimum wage will be at its lowest real value in 40 years. For a mother, working full-
time to support her children, a 90-cent increase would buy seven months worth of groceries.
For millions of hardworking parents it's very simple: You can't raise a family on $4.25 an
hour. The minimum wage must be a living wage.
For years, both parties have agreed that the minimum wage should keep up with the
cost of living. This year, however, the Republican leadership has walked away from this
tradition, and tried to block an increase in the minimum wage.
One member of a group of moderate Republicans who broke with their party's
leadership said it best: "This is not a complicated issue. It should not be a partisan issue.
It's timely. It's right, and I think we should do it." [Amo Houghton]
An increase in the minimum wage honors family and work. Congress should stop
blocking an increase in the minimum wage and pass it -- with no gimmicks, no political
games, and with no controversial amendments. That's the way to help our people make the
most of their own lives.
Another issue should not be complicated or partisan is the guarantee that if you lose
or change your job, or if someone gets sick, you won't lose your health insurance. The
Kennedy-Kassebaum bill will make it easier for as many as 24 millions of Americans to get
and keep health insurance. In this new, more dynamic economy where we're creating more
2
jobs than we have in a very long time, but where people are also feeling pressured by
changes, Americans need the security that is provided by the Kennedy-Kassebaum bill.
This week, the Senate beat back an effort to put a special-interest provision that
would have derailed this important legislation. Congress must finish their job on this critical
legislation -- and send it to the President right away.
I want to conclude by reminding you just how high the stakes are. The election in
1992 was about change in the status quo. This year's election is about two different kinds of
change. It's about the President's vision and what he has tried to for the past three years.
And it's about the Republicans vision and what they tried to do once they won the Congress.
So there is not a status quo option here You know it, your members know it -- that's why
you are spending unprecedented resources on this year's election.
This is an age of real possibility for our country -- a time when more of our people
can live out the American dream than ever before. But to make that promise real, we must
be true to our values and stand up for our families and our children. This administration will
continue to fight for America's workers. And we know that with your support, the
challenges we face today will be overcome.
3
elected representatives answer to the people and not to the big-money lobbyists who line
campaign coffers and haunt the halls of Congress.
We have to make our democracy work as effectively as it can. That means we also must
demand more of ourselves. Women, in particular, have a crucial role to play in the next and in
every election. Because of the diverse roles we already fill in society -- in the home and in the
workplace -- we bring special insights into the task of building a better country.
And yet, today, 75 years after winning the vote, many of us do not feel enough of a stake
in the political process to exercise this hard-won right. Fifty-four million women chose not to
vote in the last election. That is an abdication of responsibility -- and a missed opportunity for
women who deserve to have a say in the direction of our country.
I think about that every time I travel and meet women around the world whose life choices
are so limited because they are still living without this basic right.
Please, reach out to the women in your lives and encourage them to use their power to
vote and shape our common future.
California has always been a land of pioneers. It is a state built by Americans from all
corners of this continent and all parts of the world who shared a common faith in democracy and
the American Dream. Californians have invigorated our culture and led the country with new
ideas, new methods and new strategies of keeping the American Dream alive. The nation has long
looked to you for leadership. We continue to look to you now, in this momentous time in our
nation's history. On the eve of the 21st century, there is still so much we can and must do
together, as one American family. Thank you for doing your part.
###
growth injobsia
on
4
FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
REMARKS TO UAW LEGISLATIVE-POLITICAL CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
APRIL 21, 1996
Thank you President Yokich [YOH-kitch]. Thank-you so much
for giving me this opportunity to speak to all of you in the UAW
who are working so hard to keep the American Dream alive and
attainable for all families who are willing to work for it.
On behalf of the President, I want to thank each of you,
members of this great union, for all you're doing to improve the
lives of working men and women and their children all across our
country. From civil rights to Medicare to the minimum wage, the
UAW has always been there, fighting for America's workers, for
the elderly, for the disadvantaged. For more than half a
century, you have been at the forefront of economic and social
progress. You have helped make our society more just.
On the eve of the 21st century, America is the great nation
it is today because of your hard work. But, unfortunately it
seems that there are some in our country who are threatening to
take our country one hundred years backward, to undermine all
that you and all of us who believe in na-Ama justice for all have
achieved on behalf of families.
fair unle reger
So, you've come to Washington at a very crucial time for
working families. What happens in Congress and at the ballot box
in the coming months will have profound effects on families, and
on their ability to thrive in the 21st century.
Three years ago, you sent a President to the White House who
promised to put people first, to reinvigorate America's working
families, and to restore in them a sense of economic well-being
that had been slowly chipping away during the previous
administrations.
slipping
You sent 19/ the President and Vice-President to Washington to
generate growth and jobs, to increase incomes, to shrink the great
underclass and grow the middle class. They made a good start.
at President VP have
In the last three years, 8.4 million new jobs have been
created. We have the lowest combined rates of unemployement and
inflation in 27 years. And we've halted the long decline in
median hourly wages. But this is a record to build on We have
to do more, especially for our families and children. not he wheat n.
Tonight, I want to talk about families. About the UAW's
priorities for workers and their children. About the President's
achievements on behalf of families. And about what we all need
to do to help families survive and thrive in a rapidly changing
world.
page #s
The fight to save the American Dream and support America's
families must begin with the fight to save America's workers,
their incomes, and their jobs.
yet
We are living in an bate exhilarating 5- and yet bewildering time.
smehing
Technology is advancing at breathtaking speed. And as our world
becomes more complex, it is also becoming smaller. American
workers are being asked to perform more sophisticated tasks and
to compete with their counterparts all over the world.
That's why the President has been working hard for all
American workers to compete with their international counterparts
on a level playing field. Like you, the President truly believes
that American workers can compete with anybody, anywhere, any
day, so long as their competitors play fair.
persuade
Just last year, the President told you of his efforts to
force the Japanese to open their auto market to American
products.
re President wents you to know
in
dape
Grow
Today, I can report to you that since the agreement was
signed, sales of American-made autos have increased by more than
a third. Sales of American-made cars, trucks and vans rose more
than 225 percent between 1992 and 1995 58,000 Big Three cars
were exported from the U.S. just last year. In the first two
months of this year, America sold one-third more autos to Japan
than in the same period last year. In auto parts, exports over
the last three years are up 60 percent.
As you know, I've just come back from accompanying the
President on a state visit to Japan, where I saw proof of these
developments. There was a time in the not too distant past when
it would have been inconceivable for a U.S. automaker to have any
presence Japan. But lo and behold, last week, the President and I
found ourselves visiting a Chrysler dealership that was selling
right-handed Neons and Cherokees [check].
These developments are part of the rebirth of our auto
industry. And because of the partnership between labor and
management, for the first time in 15 years, the United States
auto industry was number one in the world last year.
None of this could have happened without your hardwork and
leadership. The President realizes this. That is why when the
President took office three years ago, he got rid of his
predecessors' anti-worker, anti-union executive orders. Last
spring, he signed his own executive order which forbid companies
that do business with the government to permanently replace
striking workers. The President has directed the Justice
Department to take all appropriate steps to overturn a recent
court decision blocking that executive order.
The President will veto any effort to weaken Section 8 (a) 2
of the National Labor Relations Act. He is fighting to preserve
working people's hard-earned wage protections. The Davis-Bacon
Act and the Service Contract Act are the foundations for decent
living standards for many Americans. Some in Congress want to
take them away, but the President will resist those efforts. He
will help you protect the standard of living you have fought so
hard and long to maintain.
The President is committed to policies that reward work.
That's why he expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit to give a tax
cut to more than 15 million working families with incomes under
$28,000. And that is why he supports an increase in the minimum
wage to make it a living wage.
The minimum wage today is at a 40-year low. And yet, there
are a lot of single parents and quite a few families who are
struggling to raise their children on the minimum wage. We must
do what we can to help these hard-working families and to close
the gap between richest and poorest working familes. an Dear ob
Nuggas
Bernd
Surcounty.
we
There is something that is even more fundamental than wages,
and that is a worker's health and safety in the workplace. I
be
out
find it terribly ironic that those who purport to care about the
as
health and safety of Americans are also trying to gut health and
safety standards in the workplaces. They have introduced
legislation that would cut OSHA's enforcement budget by a third
and effectively relieve employers of their duty to provide safe
working environments.
21st centr
How can workers take our country forward in the 1990s when
so many are trying to take working conditions back to the 1890s?
carls.
I thought we settled this ages ago: American workers should not
have to put their health and safety in jeopardy just to feed
their families. It's not right.
It is time we accepted a fundamental lesson: treating
working people in a decent, fair, humane, enlighted way gives you
a stronger American economy, not a weaker one.
Education will be the key to the survival of the American
move
worker in the 21st century. The Clinton Administration is
commited to making college available to every one who is willing
to study hard, The President has expanded Pell grants and made
student loans more accessible.
and do make ne mool 6
Change is inevitable and ultimately there are some types of
That
jobs that will go the way of the Edsel and the horse-drawn
don
carriage. Under the President's new G.I. Bill for American
we
workers, men and women who lose their jobs to corporate layoffs
was
and downsizing will receive vouchers to pay for whatever
In
3
retraining -- whether it's college or an apprenticeship -- they
have
need to become employable again.
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adol
is
Economic security goes hand-in-hand with health security.
new
and
One of the first things my husband signed was the Family and
chase
Some was
about
we
of
3
burner.
Medical Leave Act so that workers could take time to care for
sick family members without being afraid of losing their jobs.
Families today are much stronger because of that bill.
we sure made it clear
I want to take a moment to thank you for your support these
past few years in our efforts to reform our health care system.
We may have not been successful last fall in passing health
reform, but everyone agrees that something must be done. The
President is pressing on in his efforts to pass the Kennedy-
Kassebaum bill to make sure that Americans who lose or change
jobs do not lose their health insurance as well.
And we must protect Medicaid and Medicare. These programs
are the safety net for millions of Americans, from the seniors
who worked so hard to make America the great country it is today
to the children who will make it even greater tomorrow.
More than one in five children in this country is eligible
for Medicaid. And all of those children, whether they are
related by blood to us or not, are our children. They are our
Dowe
future. In twenty years, depending on how we take care of them
now they're either going to be in jail or in school or in the
want
workplace. I don know about you, but when I retire, I'd rather
&
have them out there healthy, well-educated, working, making lots
me
of money, and taking care of me.
dates members to
our
That's why we must remain committed to funding Head Start, society.
to computerizing the classrooms and to keeping our schools sade
and drug free.
The 21st century will be here sooner than we know it. We
are moving from an industrial age to an information age. We have
moved from the bipolar world of the cold war to a global village
full of endless possibility and dauting challenge.
Somehow we have to harness this change to benefit the
average working family. We must do it in ways that are
consistent with the values that made America great and make life
worth living, values that your movement embodies -- a commitment
to opportunity for every American; to the dignity of work; to
strengthening families, nurturing children and honoring parents;
to working together, regardless of race, income or religion.
This country was built by people who came from all parts of
the world who shared a common faith in democracy and the American
Dream. People who have never been afraid of change. There is
still so much we can and must do together, as one American
family. Thank-you for doing your part.
Use as ontline
Aired April
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
VIDEO TO THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING CONVENTION
Thank you President Yokich. I'm sorry I can't be with you in person, but I'm very glad
to have the opportunity to speak to you about the issues you and I care so much about.
The UAW's Collective Bargaining Convention is one of labor's great democratic
institutions. I salute you for it. Collective bargaining built the middle class and brought higher
wages and better working conditions to generations of Americans. And because so many U.S.
workers depend on a robust auto industry, all Americans benefit from your dedication to making
collective bargaining work for your members and their families.
I also want to thank you and the leadership of your great union for all you're doing to
improve the lives of your members and of working men and women and their children all across
our country. For over half-century the UAW has been at the forefront of economic and social
progress for our nation. From civil rights to Medicare to the minimum wage, the UAW has
always been there, fighting for America's working men and women, for the elderly, and the
disadvantaged.
A little more than three years ago we began a journey together -- a journey to restore
America's working families, to give them a sense of economic security and well-being that was
being lost. We called our agenda "putting people first" -- something the labor movement has
always done.
We wanted to put government back on the side of ordinary Americans. In this era of
momentous economic change, we wanted to ensure that the American Dream of opportunity
would continue to be available to all who are willing to work for it.
We've sought to make government reflect the values for which working people have
struggled over the course of this century -- values that your movement continues to represent
at the dawn of a new century: Opportunity. Responsibility. Fair treatment on the job. The
chance to make a decent living, to support your families and build your communities.
You sent me to Washington to generate growth and jobs, to increase incomes, to shrink
the under class and grow the middle class. We've made a good start.
In the last three years, 8.4 million new jobs have been created. Unemployment has
stayed below 6 percent for 18 months. We've managed to keep inflation and interest rates low.
And we've halted the long decline in median hourly wages. But this is a record to build on, not
to sit on. We have to do more. We must continue to focus on the concerns working
Americans, the concerns they have about their own economic security at a time when the
country is undergoing an economic transformation every bit as momentous as the exodus from
farms to factories a century ago.
All of you know as well as anyone that we have a lot to do to make sure America keeps
perpond
working for, and not against, working families. That's why I fought for passage of the Family
and Medical Leave Act. That's why we've expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit, to give
a tax cut to more than 15 million working families with incomes under $28,000. That's why
I support an increase in the minimum wage.
That's why I'm fighting to make sure that if you lose or change your job, or if someone
gets sick, you won't lose your health insurance. I'm working to make sure you can keep your
pension, even if you change jobs, and why I am fighting for a new G.I. Bill for America's
workers, so that when someone loses a job, he or she gets a voucher to pay for a training
program to get a new skill.
Right after I took office, I got rid of my predecessor's anti-worker, anti-union executive
orders. Last spring, I signed an executive order which said in no uncertain terms that we won't
allow companies that do business with the government to permanently replace striking workers.
I've directed the Justice Department to take all appropriate steps to overturn a recent court
decision blocking that executive order.
My administration is pro-family, pro-worker, and pro-union. Unfortunately, for the past
year you and I have been fighting a defensive battle in the Congress. But we've more than held
our own. Thanks to the grass-roots efforts of the UAW and others, we've managed to stall or
defeat practically every major attack on America's working families and on the unions that
represent them.
I'll veto any effort to weaken Section 8(a)2 of the National Labor Relations Act. And
I'm fighting to preserve working people's hard-earned wage protections. The Davis-Bacon Act
and the Service Contract Act are the foundations for decent living standards for many, many
Americans. Some want to take them away. But I believe our country can't afford to support
policies which increase the inequality that has grown so much over the years already, and that
threaten the living standards that you have fought so hard to maintain.
Some people in Congress have even decided that worker safety and health fringe benefits
are things our people don't need. They introduced legislation that would effectively take away
an employer's duty to provide a safe workplace, and cut OSHA's enforcement budget by a third.
American workers should not have to put their health and safety in jeopardy just to feed their
families. It's not right.
You and your families, and the millions and millions of working families like you --
you're the heart and soul of the American Dream. We have to keep working together, not just
to preserve what's been won, but to continue the fight for better jobs, stronger unions, higher
wages, and more justice.
The 21st century can be the next American century. Our children and our grandchildren
can enjoy more freedom and more opportunity than ever before -- if we do the right things.
If we stand up to those who would take this country backward -- if we stand up to those who
would keep working people down and who would divide us, we can expand hope and
opportunity in our country and thereby rebuild America's faith in the future.
You're more than doing your part, and I am determined to be your partner. Thank you,
and God bless you.
*****
1918
Oct. 23 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995
Russian forces were not under NATO com-
achieve these objectives, including the rap-
mand and control or there was some type
idly growing range of cooperative activities
of dual key arrangement wouldn't work. Is
being pursued jointly by US and Russian ex-
that still the U.S. position?
perts. The Presidents noted with satisfaction
President Clinton. Our position is that
that bilateral and multilateral cooperation in
we're going to have an operation that works.
these areas has grown rapidly over the past
We want Russia to be involved in it. We
year and includes joint activities on law en-
made some progress today consistent with
forcement, customs, intelligence liaison and
both of our objectives, with neither side giv-
on-the-ground cooperation to improve nu-
ing up the things that were most important
clear materials security at ten sites, protect-
to it. We made some progress today on that.
ing tons of nuclear material. The Presidents
And we recognized that some of the things
also welcomed cooperative efforts to improve
that needed to be decided neither of us could
the security of nuclear weapons in transport
in good conscience decide without giving our
or storage in connection with their dis-
military leaders the chance to work through
mantlement.
that. So we agreed that this week-this
The two Presidents welcomed the joint re-
week-our military leaders would keep
port on steps that have been accomplished
working.
and additional steps that should be taken to
That is all I can tell you; the more we say
ensure the security of nuclear materials, pre-
about it, the worse it will be. We are moving
pared by the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commis-
toward peace. The first and most important
sion in implementation of the May 10 sum-
thing is, make peace in Bosnia. That has not
mit declaration on nonproliferation. This re-
been done yet. If that happens-and we
port outlines current and planned U.S.-Rus-
hope it will, and we've agreed on that com-
sian programs of bilateral cooperation that
pletely, how we will approach it-then we
will result in broad improvements in nuclear
have the responsibility to work together to
materials security, including several impor-
make the peace work. And we will do that.
tant sites with weapons-usable nuclear mate-
President Yeltsin. I want to add, you are
rial, increased security for nuclear weapons
underestimating the Presidents of two such
in connection with their dismantlement, and
great powers. Maybe something didn't quite
construction of a safe and secure long-term
reach you. Maybe you can't quite figure out
storage facility for fissile material from dis-
how we can solve it, but it came to us; it
mantled weapons. The Presidents endorsed
reached us.
speedy implementation of these plans and di-
rected that they be expanded and accelerated
NOTE: The President's 104th news conference
to the greatest extent possible.
began at 3:44 p.m. on the front steps of the Frank-
lin D. Roosevelt home. In his remarks, he referred
NOTE: An original was not available for verifica-
to Russian Minister of Defense Pavel Grachev.
tion of the content of this statement.
President Yeltsin spoke in Russian, and his re-
marks were translated by an interpreter.
Remarks to the AFL-CIO
Convention in New York City
Joint Statement With President
October 23, 1995
Yeltsin on Nuclear Materials Security
October 23, 1995
The President. Thank you very much for
the wonderful welcome. Thank you, Tom, for
Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin noted the
the great introduction. I wish I'd been here
importance they attach to ensuring the secu-
to hear it. [Laughter] But I appreciate it.
rity of nuclear weapons and nuclear mate-
You know, I've taken so many controversial
rials, maintaining effective control over them,
positions in the last 3 years, I thought I'd
and combating illegal trafficking in nuclear
come here and tell you what you ought to
materials. They underscored their strong
do in this election. [Laughter] You should
support for the efforts underway in the Rus-
elect-listen to this-you ought to elect an
sian Federation and the United States to
Irish-American from the Bronx who comes
Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Oct. 23
1919
out of the Service Employees Union. [Laugh-
age, which, as all of you know in your own
ter] I just want you to know that whatever
experience, even industry and agriculture is
you do. I intend to be there with you every
infused today with more technology. We
step of the way. And I know how important
know we have moved from the bipolar world
this is. [Applause] Thank you.
of the cold war to a global village in which
Let me say before I get into my remarks,
we have dreamed of new possibilities but also
I have just come, as I think all of you know,
a lot of new vulnerabilities because of the
from Hvde Park and a meeting with Presi-
changes that are going on.
dent Yeltsin of Russia. We made a lot of
And we know we've got to somehow har-
progress today in agreeing to work toward
ness this change to benefit ordinary people
peace in Bosnia, something that concerns
in our country and throughout the world. We
every citizen of the world whose conscience
have to do it consistent with the basic values
has been shocked by all the children and
that made America great and that make life
other innocent people who have been killed
worth living, values that your movement em-
there.
bodies: a commitment to opportunity for
We also agreed on working together, very
every American; to the dignity of work; to
importantly, to control the spread of nuclear
the commitment that the family should be
materials, something that is a very serious
trengthened and children should be nur-
problem in the aftermath of the cold war,
tured and parents should be honored; a rec-
to minimize the prospect that terrorists will
ognition that we have to go forward or back-
ever be able to get small amounts of nuclear
ward together and therefore it is crazy for
material and make bombs out of them.
us to be divided by race, Бу region, Бу in-
And finally, President Yeltsin agreed with
come and any-way that in any way saps our
me that we should go for the strongest pos-
strength, and the determination to keep this
sible comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty
country the strongest nation on Earth. Those
next year. And that means we will probably
are the things which have animated the labor
get it, and the world wi!l be much safer as
movement in the later half of the 20th cen-
a result of it.
tury. And those are the values that will take
I know that you have-all of you-and I
us into the 21st century.
came here more than anything else just to
Three years ago, you helped the American
thank you, because I know that you have
people to send me to Washington to uphold
waged a strong and passionate grassroots
these values and to turn our economy
campaign for a year now to oppose the cuts
around. I had a commitment to make the
in worker safety and job training, in edu-
American dream real for all Americans in the
cation and health care, being considered in
21st century and to make sure that our coun-
the Congress. The White House mailroom
try would remain the strongest country in the
is jammed with postcards from union retir-
world. I had a simple strategy to harness
ees. [Applause] Thank you. This may be the
change to benefit all of us. I thought we
high-tech age, but you have got the Capitol
needed to be faithful to the mainstream val-
Hill switchboards groaning with calls from
ues I just mentioned. I thought we needed
your members. And I say, send more. And
a middle class economic strategy to grow the
I know that those ads you're. running have
middle class and shrink the under class. I
gotten some Members of Congress suffering
thought we needed a modern Government
with heartburn. And we just need to pour
that would be less bureaucratic, more entre-
it on a little more. I thank you for that.
preneurial, but still strong enough to take
I come here today with a simple message:
care of the business that the people need
This is a very great country. You helped to
done.
make it that way. We're on the edge of a
The lion's share of the credit belongs to
new century. We're living in a time of great
you and the rest of the American people, but
change. No one can perceive clearly all the
we're moving in the right direction. And I
implications of that change.
know that our policies had something to do
We know that we've moved from an indus-
with it. We've got 7½ million new jobs in
trial age to an information and technology
this country, after the slowest job growth in
1920
Oct. 23 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995
the country since the Great Depression, in
this year, in the last 3 years. A lot of that
the 4 years before I took office. We've got
was done because of aggressive actions by
2½ million more homeowners, 2 million new
people who work for the United States Gov-
small business people, the lowest combined
ernment.
rate of inflation and unemployment in 25
The Federal Emergency Management
years. Our country is safer and stronger. For
Agency-we've had as many natural disasters
the first time since the dawn of the nuclear
to deal with in the last 3 years as any time
age, there's not a single solitary nuclear mis-
I can remember. And it is probably the most
sile pointed at the people of the United
popular arm of the Federal Government be-
States of America. And I'm proud of that.
cause the Federal employees have been
And by the grace of God, from Northern Ire-
there in a timely, aggressive, effective fashion
land to Haiti, to the Middle East, now to
when they were needed, whether it was for
Bosnia, the United States is a strong partner
floods in the Middle West or fires and earth-
in pushing for peace.
quakes in the West or anything else. And I
Maybe most important of all, this country
am proud of that.
seems to be slowly coming together around
And let me tell you something I'm espe-
its values again. It's hard to turn a great coun-
cially proud of. Business Week magazine,
try around, but when we get going in a cer-
tain direction, we can make a real difference.
which is hardly an arm of the Federal Gov-
ernment or the Democratic Party, every year
In almost every State, in this great city where
gives awards to businesses that perform at
you're meeting, the crime rate is down; the
murder rate is down; the welfare rolls are
the highest level of efficiency in a number
down; the food stamp rolls are down. Believe
of categories. And one of their categories is
it or not, the poverty rate is down, and the
for customer service over the telephone. So
teen pregnancy rate has dropped for 2 years
the businesses that compete, for example, are
in a row. America is coming back and moving
Southwest Airlines or L. L. Bean or, you
together.
know, anybody that you call on the tele-
And we proved you could do it together.
phone. You know who won this year? The
Instead of just condemning the Government
Social Security Administration of the Federal
the way my predecessors did, we made a
Government won that award.
partnership with the Federal employees, and
These Federal employees operate a Medi-
in a balanced and fair and disciplined way,
care program that has a 2 percent administra-
we tried to downsize the Government so that
tive cost, lower than any private insurance
this big Government attack is a myth today.
program in the United States of America,
But we left our Government strong enough
something you rarely hear about in the de-
for the employees that are there to do their
bate going on in Congress today. They have
jobs. And we just didn't throw anybody on
implemented a crime bill that's putting
the street; we gave them good buyout provi-
100,000 police on the streets of America, and
sions. We tried to protect their retirement.
they're doing it on time and under budget.
We treated them and their families with de-
They have implemented the motor voter law,
cency and the honor and the respect they
the family leave law, both those things that
were entitled to after the years they had
you helped to get.
served the United States of America. And
They have been able to be much tougher
that's the way this ought to be done every-
in capturing large quantities of drugs before
where.
they come into this country. Without going
Let me tell you what the Federal employ-
into a bunch of immigrant bashing, they have
ees are doing-just a few things. I could talk
been able to in a disciplined way strengthen
all day about it. But Federal employees work-
our ability to reduce the problems of illegal
ing in the Commerce Department, in the Ex-
immigration in the United States. And they
port-Import Bank, in other areas, have
have fought discrimination, something that
helped to create good jobs, many of them
was out of fashion for the Federal Govern-
union jobs, in America by increasing our ex-
ment to do until this administration came in.
ports 4 percent, 10 percent, and 16 percent
And I thank them for it.
Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Oct. 23
1921
And guess what? We've been able to prove
you change in a huge way the way people
you can grow the economy and be decent
work and live and relate to each other and
to working people, something that the people
the rest of the world, some will be well-posi-
who were there before and the people who
tioned and do well; others will not be.
are in the Congress today in dominant posi-
That's why people need to come together,
tions apparently don't believe. If you look at
because you know in the end you cannot sus-
what's happened-and I'm sure Tom men-
tain progress unless everybody can benefit.
tioned a lot of this-but when we repealed
That's one of the big reasons we had the
my predecessors' anti-union Executive or-
Great Depression, because people did not
ders that denied American workers their
understand that everybody had to have a
rights from private industry to public service,
stake in the future in order for free enter-
it didn't hurt the economy. The economy got
prise to flourish.
better, not worse. When we said in no uncer-
And so we have that happening today,
tain terms that you ought to have a fair, de-
where people who are well-positioned tend
cent, effective NLRB, and we did our best
to do well; others work harder for less and
to provide that, the economy got better, not
become more insecure. There are some fun-
worse. It didn't undermine the American
damental things we have to do about it. First
economy.
and most elementally, it is high time we raise
When we refused to go along with repeal-
the minimum wage. It is wrong-[applause].
ing Davis-Bacon and the service contract law,
Thank you. If we do not do that, next year
the economy didn't collapse; it helped to cre-
the minimum wage will reach a 40-year low
ate more high-wage jobs, not fewer. And
in purchasing power. That is not my idea of
when we began to crack down on sweatshops
the 21st century America I want our children
where unscrupulous employers make illegal
and grandchildren to live in. I want us to
immigrants work in prison-like conditions,
go up together.
depriving them of the minimum wage, over-
It also will be good business. People will
time pay, a safe workplace and the right to
have more money to consume, and people
organize, it will make us stronger, not weak-
who are presently out of the work force will
er.
be attracted to get back into it. There is no
And when we have refused to go along
evidence, no evidence, and I have read all
with the attempts of some people to weaken
the studies-at least I've read fair summaries
our ability to provide a safe workplace, it has
of all the studies. I don't want to-[laugh
not weakened the economy; it has helped to
ter]-there is no evidence that the minimum
make the American economy stronger. It is
wage, a modest increase in the minimum
time we accepted a fundamental lesson:
wage, will cause unemployment. There is
Treating working people in a decent, fair, hu-
every evidence that it will strengthen Amer-
mane, enlightened way gives you a stronger
ica and bring us together.
American economy, not a weaker one.
The second thing I think we need to do
Audience members. Four more years!
is to make some changes that recognize that
Four more years! Four more years!
there is a fundamental difference in the na-
The President. Thank you.
ture of unemployment today and unemploy-
Now, we do have some real challenges be-
ment 30 years ago. The unemployment com-
fore us. You and I know that this recovery's
pensation system, the whole setup was de-
benefits have not been spread evenly to all
signed for people who were laid off when
Americans. We know that we've been in a
there was a slowdown and then picked right
time of increasing inequality. By the way, this
back up by their employers when the econ-
is what usually happens when you move from
omy picked up again. It was designed to give
one economic model to another. When we
people a way to just get by until they got
move from the agricultural age to the indus-
called back.
trial age, the labor movement grew up be-
As recently as 30 years ago, 80 percent-
cause there were so many people who were
85 percent of the people who were laid off
being exploited, not benefiting from the ben-
and collected unemployment were called
efits of the new industrial age. So whenever
back to the same job from which they were
1922
Oct. 23 1 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995
laid off. Today, over 80 percent of the people
This is not-I want to say this, and I want
who are laid off are not called back to the
you to go home and tell everybody you know
same job from which they are laid off. All
this-this is not a battle about balancing the
of you know that. Therefore, I have proposed
budget. That has nothing to do with what
having the Labor Department, working with
is going on in Washington today. I gave the
the Education Department, create a "GI bill
Congress a balanced budget. You'd be better
for America's workers." which consolidates
off if we could balance the budget. When
all of our training programs puts more
we quadrupled the debt in 12 years before
money into it, and gives every person who
I showed up, what happened? We had to
loses a job a right to get a voucher to take
spend more and more money on interest on
to the program that you want, whether it's
the debt. We had less and less money to in-
a union apprenticeship program, a union
vest in worker training, in new technology,
training program, the local community col-
and the kinds of things that will grow the
lege. Whatever is best needed for the people
economy, raise incomes, educate our chil-
that are unemployed they ought to have it.
dren.
And I think we ought to do it immediately.
It would be a good thing to do. But we
The second thing that we ought to do-
have to do that, like everything else, consist-
if we're going to have a tax cut we ought
ent with our values and our objectives. That
to target it to working families and what they
is what is at stake. It is, what kind of America
need the most, which is help raising their
children, paying for their child care, and get-
are we going to live in?
ting an education. So I think we ought to
I've given the Congress a balanced budget.
have a tax deduction for the cost of all edu-
It cuts all kinds of spencling. It eliminates
cation after high school. Now, that would
hundreds of programs. But it increases our
help working people a lot. That would help.
investment in education, in technology, in re-
The third thing I will say is-and I know
search. It protects instead of hurts the old,
we have sometimes disagreed on this-I be-
the poor, the disabled, the little children on
lieve that we win when we expand trade. So
Medicare and Medicaid. It supports invest-
it's not enough to have more free trade,
ment in worker safety and in a clean environ-
which I favor, we also have to have more
ment and in the kinds of national treasures
fair trade. That's what the Japanese auto
that we share together. That is the kind of
agreement was about. And thank you, Owen
balanced budget we need.
Bieber, for supporting us and for finally giv-
And that is what I want to talk to you
ing us a chance to crack some of those mar-
about. I am not about to do something that
kets that have been denied American work-
I think will prevent us from doing what I
ers for too long. And we're going to keep
ran for President to do: giving every Amer-
doing things like that all the way down.
ican a shot at the American dream and mak
Against that background, this is how I
ing sure this is the strongest. finest country
think you ought to see this balanced budget
in the world in the 21st century. I am not
fight. What has worked for us the last 2½
going to do that. And you shouldn't put up
years? Mainstream values, work and family
with it. You shouldn't put up with it.
and responsibility and community and treat-
Now, here's what I mean. I'm going to give
ing people with dignity, all people, without
you the 10 greatest hits or SO of this present
regard to their race or their region or income;
budget. This is not the Letterman show, and
believing that you have to lift working people
so it won't all be funny. You may have to
up if you want other people to do well: That
laugh a couple of times to keep from crying,
has worked for us. What's worked for us?
but here's what this is really about. Here's
Middle class economics, help the small busi-
what the real contract is.
ness people. help the entrepreneurs, also
We all sav we believe in honoring our par-
help to grow the middle class working people
ents for what they have done for us. And
and shrink the under class: That's what
Medicare is a way of honoring our parents.
works. That's what is at stake in this budget
We have to slow the rate of growth of medi-
battle.
cal inflation. We have to secure the Medicare
Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Oct. 23
1923
Trust Fund. I presented a budget which will
they get rid of it, $10 billion. We help the
do that.
poorest old folks pay their copays. We help
We have to recognize that health care is
them pay the fees they owe under Medicare
changing. I have no problem with giving sen-
because they don't have any money. There's
iors the option to join managed care plans
a lot of old folks out there. There's folks still
if they can get lower costs or better services.
living on $300 a month. This budget takes
I think we should do that. I'm sympathetic
it all away. And there's been a study which
with doctors and hospitals and their need to
estimates that it may take at least a million
have some changes in the law so they can
elderly people out of the Medicare program.
work together to compete with insurance
I was in Texas the other night at a fund-
companies to provide managed care. I'm not
raiser, and a doctor came up to me. A doctor
against that. But I'll tell you what I am
came up to me, and he said, "You keep fight-
against. I'm against this budget that was
ing on this." He said, "live been a doctor
passed that, believe it or not, makes it easier
a long time. I remember when I did not have
to commit waste, fraud, and abuse. When the
any older patients, before Medicare. before
Federal Government says up to 10 percent
Medicaid, when I had no older patients, be-
of the money may be wasted, they passed
cause older people were too proud to come
a budget to make it easier to commit waste,
to the doctor if they couldn't pay their bills.
fraud, and abuse but harder for the poorest,
So a lot of them just stayed home and got
the oldest, and the sickest seniors to make
sick and died." It is wrong. I will not put
sure their health care needs are met. That
up with it. It is not right. And you shouldn't
is wrong. I don't like it. I won't support it.
put up with it either. It is not right. It is
And if it passes, I will veto it. It is wrong.
not right.
I want to talk to you about the Medicaid
I want to tell you one more thing about
program. There's a lot of AFSME workers
this Medicaid plan. It says, "Oh, we're going
here who work in health care institutions that
to block-grant this to the States. We're going
depend upon Medicaid. New York City has
to get these terrible Federal rules and regula-
a whole health care network that depends
tions out of the State's hair." I was a Gov-
not just on Medicare but Medicaid. Most
ernor for 12 years. I used to sing that song.
people think Medicaid is the welfare health
[Laughter] ! believe in that.
program. Let me tell you-70 percent of the
Our administration-don't you let anybody
Medicaid money goes to the elderly and the
tell you this is about State's rights-our ad-
disabled for nursing home care, for in-home
ministration has given more waivers, more
care, for physician care. Thirty percent of the
freedom to get out from under Federal rules
Medicaid money does go to poor people, not
to State governments to experiment with
all of them on welfare, some of them even
moving people from welfare to work or serv-
working for very poor wages. And most of
ing more people, getting health insurance to
that money goes to take care of the little chil-
more people, than the last two administra-
dren. Over one in five children in the United
tions combined. More in 2½ years than they
States of America is eligible for Medicaid
did in 12 years. This is not about giving the
help for health care. And all those kids, they
States flexibility.
may not be in your family, but they're your
But let me tell you the kind of things they
kids. And 20 years from now, they're either
want to let the States do and what they don't
going to be in jail or in school or in the work-
want to let the States do, and it will tell you
place. And they're going to be a big part of
what's really behind this. They've adopted
our future. And I don't know about you, but
their Medicaid programs. And among other
when I retire, I want them out there working,
things, they say that the State ought to get
making lots of money, taking care of me. And
Medicaid block-granted and they ought to
I want to take care of their health right now.
have the right to get rid of the so-called
So my idea of the 21st century is not a
spousal impoverishment rule. That's Govern-
Medicaid program that takes away the money
ment language. You know what that means?
that helps the poorest seniors to pay their
That means if an elderly couple lived to be
part of the Medicare program. That's right;
78 years old and they've been married 50
1924
Oct. 23 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995
years and they're living on their Social Secu-
amen. And he got to the final line of his ser-
rity and one of them gets so sick that he or
mon; he said, "I want everybody that wants
she needs to go in the nursing home, they
to go to heaven to stand up." And the whole
want to give back to the State governments
congregation stood up, except one woman
the right to tell the one that doesn't go to
that hadn't missed church in 45 years. And
the nursing home, "You want your wife or
he was crestfallen. He said, "Sister Jones,
your husband to get any help? You've got
don't you want to go to heaven when you
to sell your car, sell your house, clean out
die?" And she leapt up, she said, "I'm sorry,
your bank account, give it to us, and then
I thought you were trying to get up a load
we'll give you a little help. We don't know
to go right now." [Laughter]
how you're going to live." I don't like that.
So you always got to ask the next question.
That is not my idea of the 21st century I
Everybody's for education. Our budget bal-
want to live in.
ances the budget and increases our invest-
But you know what? In the next breath,
ment in education by $40 billion-by $40 bil-
do you know what they did? They took away
lion over 7 years-by making choices and set-
from the States-they say, "We're going to
ting priorities. Why? Because if 22 percent
give you lots of flexibility and a little less
of the kids in this country are poor enough
money. And we want you to run it however
to be on Medicaid, they need a little extra
you want to, but, oh, oh, there's one thing
help through Head Start to get off to a good
you've been doing we're not going to let you
start in school, because a lot of schools are
do anymore. Right now you can bargain with
too poor to have the class sizes they need
the drug companies to get the lowest possible
or the computers we want them to have; be-
price for drugs for elderly people and little
cause a lot of kids are in danger going to
kids. And we're not going to let you do that
and from school, and we need to give schools
anymore, because the drug companies don't
more help to remain safe and drug free; be-
want us to. So I'm sorry, you will have to
cause we want to make it possible for every-
do more with less money, but here's some-
body to go to college.
thing you can't do." I don't know about you,
When I ran for President, I came here and
but I don't get driving up the price of drugs
I made a specific commitment. I said if you
and driving old folks into the poor house.
will vote for me and get me elected, I'll do
I don't think that's right. That's not the
everything I can to cut the cost of college
America I want to live in. And I'm going to
loans, to improve the repayment on college
do everything I can to stop it. And I want
loans, and then to be tougher on people who
you to help me.
default. We cut the default rate in half, but
Now, I want to talk to you about education.
we also cut the cost of college loans. We
Everybody's for education. You ask anybody
made repayment easier. And to boot, we
in the Congress, are you for education? They
added more scholarships.
say, absolutely. But you've always got to ask
And enrollment is going up, but nowhere
the next question; the first question is never
near what we need. I want every middle class
enough. I'll tell you-you know the best story
family in this country and every poor family
I know about that-you know, there's a-
in this country to be able to send their kids
this minister was sort of a-not a very effec-
to college. And I don't want anybody ever
tive minister, and people would go to sleep
from now on to have to walk away from a
in his sermons. And he was overcome, and
college education because of the cost. That's
he prayed dav-in and day-out for inspiration
my idea of the 21st century.
so he could finally give a barn-burning ser-
So when the Congress presents a budget
mon and everybody would stand up. And
that says, no. it's all right if several thousand
their hearts would be purified, and their spir-
more kids-20, 30, whatever it is-more kids
itual zeal would be great.
don't get to go to Head Start and we have
So he worked so hard on this. And he
to remove them; it's all right if we don't help
showed up, and he gave the sermon of his
as many schools with safe and drug-free pro-
life. And people were stomping and clapping
grams as we were; it's all right if a whole
and even in this staid church were shouting
lot of schools now can't use that money for
Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Oct. 23
1925
their poor kids for the smaller classes and
values. In economic opportunity, there's not
the computers; it's okay if because the people
a company in America that if they could avoid
that lost money on the direct loan program,
it in 1995 would cut research, technology,
the special interests, want their money back,
or training. But this budget cuts research,
so we're just going to kill this program that
technology, and training. That's not my idea
the Government's running that's got lower
of how to build strong families. And worst
cost college loans and better repayment
of all, there's $148 billion of hidden taxes and
terms. We're going to get rid of that, and
fees on working families while they propose
to boot, we'll get rid of somewhere between
to give people in my income group a tax cut.
150,000 and 380,000 scholarships. I don't
And that's not my idea of the kind of 21st
know about you folks, that is not the kind
century I want to live in.
of America I want for the 21st century. And
Now, I want you to listen to this. The Wall
I'm going to do everything I can to stop it.
Street Journal, hardly an arm of the Demo-
It is wrong. And it's bad for our economy.
cratic Party-[laughter]-reported the other
It doesn't make sense.
day that if this budget passes with all of the
And we're getting a little closer to home
taxes in it and all the tax cuts in it, with all
now. You say to people, are you for family
the tax cuts in it the group of Americans as
values? Why, of course we are. Who could
a group who make less than $30,000 a year,
be against it? Most of those who were there
which is 51 percent of the American people,
last time-they're in the majority now-
will have greater tax hikes than tax cuts. I
when we asked them to stand up for family
get a tax cut, and we're going to soak people
values by adopting the family and medical
like that?
leave law, they said no. And we said yes. And
You know, in 1993, one of the best things
there are families that are stronger today be-
about our economic program was that we
cause of the family and medical leave law
doubled the family tax credit, the earned-in-
because they don't lose their jobs when
come tax credit, which had bipartisan sup-
there's a kid sick or a parent dying or one
port, signed into law by Gerald Ford. sup-
of them gets sick. It's a better country. It's
ported by Ronald Reagan, increased by
a stronger country. And it's a stronger econ-
George Bush, and we doubled it. Why? Be-
omy because of that.
cause I wanted to be able to say to the Amer-
So what do we mean? Well, family values
ican people, "Look, you got to choose work
to me means safe streets, a clean environ-
and family over welfare and dependence.
ment, economic opportunity, fair taxes, se-
And anybody who'll work 40 hours a week
cure pensions; let's just start there. Well, at
with children in the house—I don't care how
least one House of Congress wants to elimi-
low their pay is-we will not tax them into
nate our program to put 100,000 police on
poverty. We will use the tax system to lift
the street and to give communities-the only
them out of poverty." That is the principle.
block grant they don't like is the one we
That is the principle. And it's the right thing
passed to give communities the power to do
to do.
what they can to prevent crime, to give our
I mean, I thought the game plan was we
children something to say yes to instead of
were supposed to be growing the middle
something to say no to, the one all the mayors
class and shrinking the under class. They
love, all the Governors love, everybody thinks
want to cut this by more than I increased
is great-they don't like that. Well, making
it. They want to kick people out of the middle
us less safe is not my idea of family values.
class and then pull the ladder up SO poor
Then they want to put 315 of our national
people can't work their way into it. You want
parks and other national facilities up for sale,
to get more people on welfare? Raise taxes
including Franklin Roosevelt's home where
on people with two kids making $11,000-
I was today. I know you find some of this
$12,000 a year, and they will say, no thank
unbelievable, but it's true. That's on the list.
you. This does not make sense. It violates
They have proposed to do all kinds of things
our values. It violates our interest. It is bad
to make it harder to preserve clean air, clean
for the economy. It is wrong for America.
water, safe food. That's not my idea of family
And if I can stop it with a veto pen or with
1926
Oct. 23 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995
my voice or whatever it takes, I am going
[Laughter] That is not my idea of what I want
to do everything I can to stop it. And I want
America to look like in the 21st century, tak-
you to help me, too.
ing good middle class people that worked
Audience members. Veto! Veto! Veto!
hard all their lives, paid into their pension,
The President. This is the last issue I want
showed up at work, did everything they were
you to focus on. These are great hits. I want
supposed to, and, "Oh, I'm sorry, your pen-
you to remember this. I want you to go home,
sion is gone." One of two things is going to
I want you to talk to friends in the workplace,
happen: Either the Government will have to
and I want you to talk to friends who aren't
bail it out again, in which case the deficit
in your union. I want you to talk to people
reduction won't take place. Or we'll throw
at church, at the bowling alley, at the ball-
them into the street, and we'll one more time
park, wherever two or more are gathered.
shrink the middle class and grow the under
I want you to talk to people. I want people
class. Say no to that. Say no to looting the
to know about this. This is their country, just
pension funds. Say no. It's wrong. It's wrong.
like it's your country. This is not about me
And look, the thing that bothers me about
or the Republicans in Congress. It's about
this is that this budget would snatch defeat
the future of the American family, the future
from the jaws of victory This country is in
of the American workplace, the future of the
better shape than it was 2½ years ago. We're
United States. And so I want you to listen
moving in the right direction. What we need
to this. This is the greatest last hit.
to do is build on what we've done, not tear
During the 1980's, when-you know, that
it down. We need to build on middle class
"everything goes" decade where everything
economics. We need to build on an economy
was going to trickle down to ordinary peo-
that has the largest number of new small
ple-thousands and thousands of corpora-
businesses in history. We need to build on
tions transferred some $20 billion out of their
the best time for education in the last 30
employees' pension funds for buyouts and
years, in the last Congress. We need to build
other purposes. An awful lot of workers lost
on medical reforms that are slowing the rate
their life savings. Last December, one of the
of medical inflation without stripping elderly
proudest things I was able to do in the last
people of the security and dignity of knowing
Congress, even after the November election,
that their health care is there. We do not
the Congress passed a bill that saved 8½ mil-
need to tear it down. We need to prove we
lion American pensions and stabilized 40 mil-
can make the environment and the economy
lion others that were in danger of being in
go together, not walk away from our common
trouble. I don't know what the retirement
responsibilities.
income of 481/2 million Americans is worth
Folks, this is about more, even more, than
to the strength, the stability of America; to
all the things that we are concerned about
our pro-family, pro-work values; to our eco-
that directly affect any of us individually. This
nomic future, but I think it's worth an awful
is about what kind of country we're going
lot.
to be. This is about what kind of people we're
Now, as if we haven't learned anything
going to be. It's about whether we're going
from the eighties and didn't have to do that,
to live by the values we all say we believe
this Republican budget would allow compa-
in. It's about whether the American dream
nies to withdraw money from their workers'
is going to be alive in the 21st century. And
pension funds to use it for whatever reason
what we really have to do is to do what that
they want.
sign says. If we'll just stand up for America's
Audience members. No-o-o!
working families, if we'll just do what we
The President. For whatever reason they
know is right, if we'll use every tool at our
want. Corporate buyouts, bonuses, any rea-
command-I will use the tools at my com-
son.
mand, but I want you to go home, and I want
Now, folks, we just had to fix this last year.
you to talk to people in the streets and say
You know, I don't remember as well as I used
we're moving this country. This country is
to: my circuits are kind of jammed. But I
going into the 21st century. Don't let these
can at least remember what I did last year.
people take us back. If it takes a veto, you'll
Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Oct. 23
1927
have it. But I need you in the streets standing
United States' free market is a model for oth-
up for America's future.
ers to emulate. We must ensure that our sys-
God bless you, and thank you.
tem continues to emphasize the centrality of
the consumer even as it becomes increasingly
NOTE: The President spoke at 5:35 p.m. in the
technology-oriented. Accordingly, last year, I
Imperial Ballroom at the Sheraton New York
Hotel and Towers. In his remarks, he referred
was proud to add the latest element to the
to Tom Donahue, president, AFL-CIO, and
Consumer Bill of Rights-the right to serv-
Owen Bieber, former president, United Auto
ice-which urges that convenience, courtesy,
Workers.
performance, and responsiveness remain
hallmarks of the American marketplace. So
that Federal workers and agencies can take
Proclamation 6843-National
the lead in providing high-quality service, my
Consumers Week, 1995
Administration has also initiated the National
October 23, 1995
Performance Review to improve efficiency
and promote excellence in every sector of our
By the President of the United States
Government.
of America
Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton,
President of the United States of America,
A Proclamation
by virtue of the authority vested in me by
Business and trade have always been
the Constitution and laws of the United
central to the American experience. In the
States, do hereby proclaim October 22
period since the Industrial Revolution, the
through October 28 as National Consumers
extraordinary growth of our economy has
Week. I call upon Government officials, in-
created a marketplace that is the foundation
dustry leaders, and the people of the United
of global commerce. Unparalleled natural
States to recognize the vital relationship be-
and human resources have energized every
tween our economy and our citizenry and to
part of our society-from the agricultural
support the right of all Americans to service
heartland that feeds an international commu-
excellence.
nity; to the textile and steel mills that began
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set
the machine age in America; to the scientific,
my hand this twenty-third day of October,
computer, and information companies that
in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred
are leading the way into the fast-paced world
and ninety-five, and of the Independence of
of the 21st century.
the United States of America the two hun-
Consumer protections such as fair pricing
dred and twentieth.
and product safety rules are more necessary
William J. Clinton
than ever to ensure that all of us are able
to fully and fairly participate in a free enter-
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register,
prise system that encourages competition,
2:36 p.m., October 24, 1995]
productivity, and innovation. These protec-
tions have evolved alongside the remarkable
NOTE: This proclamation was published in the
expansion of the world economy. In 1962,
Federal Register on October 26.
President John F. Kennedy clarified the im-
portance of consumer protection in a Special
Proclamation 6844-United Nations
Message to Congress that has become known
Day, 1995
as the Consumer Bill of Rights. This state-
October 23, 1995
ment articulated each person's rights to safe-
ty, information, and choice, and the right to
By the President of the United States
be heard in the process of resolving
of America
consumer problems. In 1975 President Ger-
ald R. Ford added the right to consumer edu-
A Proclamation
cation.
Fifty years ago, at the end of the most de-
As the driving force behind the richest,
structive war the world has ever known, dele-
most prosperous country in the world, the
gates from fifty-one countries met in San
Page 11
16TH STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright 1994 Federal Information Systems Corporation
Federal News Service
MARCH 22, 1994, 7:20 P.M. (EST) TUESDAY
SECTION: WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING
LENGTH: 5109 words
HEADLINE: REMARKS BY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
TO THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS
SHERATON WASHINGTON HOTEL
BODY:
MRS. CLINTON: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you so much. (Continued
applause.) Thank you.
(Chants of "Health care now! Health care now!")
Thank you! Boy. Can you all come back every week? (Cheers.) If that's what it
takes, I like that. I am so pleased to be here and so pleased to be with all of
you. (Applause.)
I want to start by thanking President Bieber for his strong support of what we
are trying to do. If we could
PRESIDENT BIEBER (?): If we could please, everybody take their seats. Everybody
take their seat, please. We want to hear what the first lady has to say.
(Applause.)
MRS. CLINTON: I actually like being mobbed by friendly faces. (Laughter.) And I
really like being with people who know that you can have some fun while you're
trying to fight for doing what's right. It really makes me happy to be here.
(Applause.) And that's what the UAW has done for so many years in the fight for
social justice and change in this country. You have been there for workers who
struggled for fair wages and pensions and holidays and other benefits.
And in the middle of this century, you were there to ensure equal rights for all
Americans, and that was a tough battle as well. (Applause.) And now, at the end
of this century, you are here again. You are here in so many ways. I want to
talk to you about your support for health care, but I also want to compliment
every one of you and to compliment your leadership in this union, because you
have been fighting over the last years to preserve and strengthen the biggest
and most indispensable industries in our country, and you have shown it can be
done. (Applause.)
You know, just last week the president was in Michigan for the G-7 jobs summit
and he visited Detroit Diesel with Owen Bieber and I think some of you who are
here tonight. It was a great occasion for him. I talked to him on the phone
that night and he just couldn't stop talking about what he had seen and how
excited he was because he saw first-hand the kind of innovative thinking and
partnership that was going on in that plant and many others like it around the
country.
At Detroit Diesel, the UAW and management are working together to improve
quality control and to create a state-of-the-art,
high-performance workplace. And the end result is that you've increased market
share, fewer jobs have been lost, and America leads the world in what is done.
That is the kind of history that we are making every day with your help.
(Applause.)
Page 12
Federal News Service, MARCH 22, 1994
You know, it is that spirit of cooperation that has resulted in domestic auto
sales up 23 percent this year, auto production up 27 percent, the domestic
market share the highest in any year since 1979, the last time a Democrat was
in the White House. (Applause.)
And the UAW deserves a lot of credit for that. And this president and this
administration knows that, and I want to salute all of you. I also want to
thank you for what you have done on behalf of health care throughout the years.
You know, 50 years ago, Walter Ruther and Harry Truman shared a vision of
national health insurance, and today Owen Bieber and Bill Clinton share that
vision. And this year we're going to get it done. (Applause.)
You know, I've gone back and read some of President Truman's speeches when he
introduced national health care. He did it twice. He did it in '46. He did it
again in '48. The UAW was there. Not many other people were because not many
understood the issues then. And in those days, the special interests spent
millions and millions of dollars to scare people. But, you know, they made the
same arguments then that they're making today. And President Truman gave
barn-burning speeches and he got criticized as he did day in and day out for
standing up and telling it like it is. Well, I think we owe Harry Truman and
Walter Ruther our best efforts, because they deserve to see their dreams come
true. (Applause.)
And, you know, health care reform is not an isolated legislative goal. It's not
something that stands out there all by itself. It has a history. It goes back
to Franklin Roosevelt when he thought that health security would be the other
part of social security. It goes to Harry Truman. It goes to John Kennedy and
Lyndon Johnson, who tried and finally got Medicare and Medicaid so that at least
our older Americans and our poorest, most defenseless Americans would have some
health security.
So there is a long history of presidents trying to get real health care reform.
But in this (an audience member shouts off- mike) that's true, that's
true. But I will say this, and I take a big risk saying it to this crowd, but
I'll say it, that even Richard Nixon proposed national health care reform in
1972. And, you know, even he couldn't get it done. So this is not just a
Democrat- Republican problem. When the special interests line up against you,
it is a problem for government. It is a problem for leadership, trying to be
sure that we can have our voices heard.
But health care reform is part of a larger agenda that this president and the
UAW are fighting for. You helped us on family and medical leave. We finally
had a president who would sign it in order
that parents could be good workers as well as family members. (Applause.) You
helped us by reaching your hands out to other working people in the budget last
year.
Remember that budget that all the Republicans said was going to drive us into a
deep recession, going to stall any kind of sales of homes or automobiles? You
remember that, don't you? And instead, what did we do? We passed the first
responsible budget in 12 years that told the truth to the American people, and
it is working. (Applause.)
And one of the things that you did in that supportive effort was to help other
working Americans who do not have the income from the job they get up and go to
every single day to stay out of poverty. So we are now, for 17 million working
families in America, going to reform the tax code so that this April 15th they
will pay less than they did last year and they'll be able to take care of their
kids and maybe buy a new car for a change. (Applause.) And with your help, with
your help, this president will pass what is being called the re-employment act.
We are tired of the unemployment act. We want people back in jobs, and we want
Page 13
Federal News Service, MARCH 22, 1994
to change the system. (Applause.)
And we're moving on a lot of other fronts. We've got a crime bill up there that
if we finally get it through the gridlock of this Congress, with the Republicans
making one set of arguments on the other side, if we finally get it through,
we will have 100,000 more police on the streets doing what police should do,
making you safer in your homes and your neighborhoods. (Applause.)
And we will also be doing something that the Republicans have talked about for a
long time but never got around to doing, and that is reforming the welfare
system so that it is a second chance and not a way of life for people.
(Applause.)
So all of this is going on, and a lot more, but what is really at the
centerpiece of this is our effort to make Americans more secure again, to give
every one of us the feeling that the American dream is back within our reach.
And there is no more important issue to be able to do that than health care
reform. There are still some in our country who claim there is no health care
crisis. You hear them. You see them. They're always people who have their own
health insurance, aren't they? They're always people who have enough money so
that they can say, "Oh, there's no crisis" because they know they'll be taken
care of.
Well, those people haven't spent the last year the way I have, going into
workplaces, going into hospitals, visiting with men and women and children who
have found themselves on the outskirts of our health care system. This is not
just about the people who don't have health insurance, because there is not one
person in this country today with insurance who knows he will have the same
insurance for the same price to cover the same benefits this time next year.
Employers go out of business. They figure out how to abrogate their contracts
with unions. They shut down in giving benefits to their people. You get sick
and all of a sudden you've got a pre-existing condition and you're no longer
eligible. You have a lifetime limit that is in your insurance policy, and
somebody gets really, really ill and you hit that limit.
There are millions and millions and millions of reasons why not one of us, no
matter how well-insured we are and you have been so fortunate because your
leadership has fought for some of the greatest health benefits of any group in
this country. (Applause.) But even you, even you cannot be secure in the system
we currently have. No one is. And what we have to do is to face up to the fact
that yes, we do have the finest doctors and nurses and hospitals in the world,
but we have the stupidest financing system for health care in the entire world.
(Applause.)
And what the president wants to do is to preserve what works and fix what's
broken. And he has five major points that I want to stress with you tonight,
because this is what you're fighting for when you endorse this health plan, as
President Bieber has already referred to.
The first is guaranteed private insurance that can never be taken away. It will
be yours forever. (Applause.) And that means that it doesn't matter where you
live or who you work for, how old you are, whether you're sick or you have
someone in your family who is sick. You will always be guaranteed insurance.
And you will be guaranteed benefits as good as what members of Congress get.
And we want to make sure (applause) we want to make sure that the benefits
that the UAW has bargained for are protected. And in the president's plan, they
are. You get to keep your benefits. (Applause.)
There are other alternatives out there that would not enable you to keep your
benefits. They would start taxing those benefits. They would only give tax
preference if you went into certain plans but not others.
You know, it's been a long time since the wages of working people in this
Page 14
Federal News Service, MARCH 22, 1994
country rose at the steady rate they should have, because of the economic
policies of the previous administrations. How unfair it is to even consider
taxing benefits when benefits were the only part of wages and compensation that
continued to increase during the 1980s. (Applause.) And we want to be sure that
the benefits guaranteed to every American include things that you take for
granted in your plans, but most Americans don't have.
We want to include mental health benefits. There are many people with serious
problems that need the same health for a mental illness that they get for a
physical illness. We want to be sure (applause) we want to be sure that
we take care of primary and preventive health care. How did we ever get into
the situation in our country where if you took your child for a check-up, trying
to be a good mother or father, that wasn't reimbursed by insurance, but if your
child got sick in the middle of the night and you went to the emergency room,
that was paid for by insurance? Let's start paying for preventive health care
in order to take care of our people better than we do today. (Applause.)
The second point we're fighting for is to preserve your choice of doctor and
health plan, because what is happening in today's marketplace is that many
insurers and many employers are beginning to tell workers what doctors they can
use and what hospitals they can go to. We don't agree with that. We don't
think it should be an insurance company's choice as to what doctor you see. We
think it ought to be your choice. And under the president's plan, that choice
is preserved. (Applause.)
And there will always be at least three choices, and in most metropolitan areas
many, many more choices, but at least three. You can go to any doctor in the
phone book. You can join a network of doctors that have pooled together, often
called a prepaid medical organization, or you can join a health maintenance
organization. But it will be your choice, not anybody else's. That is a
cornerstone of the president's plan that we are fighting for. (Applause.)
The third point is we want to outlaw unfair insurance practices once and for
all. We intend to be able to say to the American people that health insurance
will mean what it should mean and what it used to mean. Everybody pays
something. They pay the same amount. And everybody is insured. You don't have
to pay more if you all of a sudden find out you've got diabetes or if you have a
child who's born with a serious illness. You have the right to be able to have
your illnesses and your accidents and your diseases insured against without
being discriminated against because you once were sick.
Every one of us will someday get sick and every one of us sure enough is going
to get old. So we have this old-fashioned idea that young people and older
people and well people and sick people, we ought to be in this together. So
let's outlaw pre-existing conditions that make you pay more or keep you out of
insurance altogether. (Applause.)
Under the president's reform plan, it will be illegal for insurance companies to
charge you more if you get sick, to raise your rates if you've ever been sick,
to drop coverage or cut benefits, to impose lifetime limits to cut off your
benefits, or to charge older people more than younger people.
If we do nothing, you, even though you bargain hard and you've got able
leadership in that bargaining, you will be at the mercy of insurance companies
who want to make their money by only insuring people who have never been sick
and they think never will be sick but will just drop dead one day, and that's a
life insurance problem, not a health insurance problem. (Applause.)
Now, fourth, we want to protect and improve Medicare, because Medicare has
worked for older Americans. And what we want to do is add two benefits to
Medicare that need to be there. Number one, we want to extend prescription drug
coverage to Medicare recipients. (Applause.) And number two, we want to begin to
Page 15
Federal News Service, MARCH 22, 1994
offer alternatives to older Americans and disabled Americans other than nursing
homes. If you want to keep your mother or your father or your child at home and
that person has serious health problems, you ought to be able to get a little
bit of help to do that instead of having only the nursing home as your
alternative. (Applause.)
And the fifth point is we want to guarantee health coverage at the workplace.
It is the easiest, simplest way to make sure everyone has coverage. Most
Americans, most of us in this room, all of us in this room, we get our insurance
at our workplace. Eight out of 10 of the Americans, the nearly 40 million
Americans that's 32 million plus -- eight out of 10 are working Americans.
They work in jobs, though, without health benefits.
Does it make any sense to you that 32 million-plus Americans get up every day
and they go to work, they serve you in restaurants, they wash your cars, they
pump your gas, they work in our retail stores, they pay taxes which goes to
provide health benefits to people on welfare when they don't even have those
benefits for themselves? That is not right. (Applause.)
There are two additional points that I want to stress particularly for you and
for your union. The president's reform will protect early retirees, a major
problem in many industries. (Applause.) Many companies, as you well know, are
thinking about or already have eliminated early retirement benefits. And for
Americans between the ages of 55 and 64, this can mean extremely expensive
premiums that offer mediocre protection or no insurance at all.
The president's reform will solve that by having the government cover the
employer's share for most early retirees. We don't think it is right that
people between those ages before they're eligible for Medicare often find
themselves with increasing health problems and decreasing health insurance
protection. That needs to be remedied, and the president's plan prescribes how
to do that. (Applause.)
And finally, you know better than many in the country that rising health costs
have robbed American workers of the wage increases that they deserve. Higher
health care costs have weakened American competitiveness overseas. You know,
for example, that General Motors spends more on health care than on steel today.
That's not good for business. That's not good for workers. That's not good for
America.
And if we do not fix our health care system now, by the end of the decade it
will cost the average working American family over $600 in lost wages each year.
We are spending more than any of the major industrialized countries we compete
with. Think of what you have done with that burden right around your necks in
the last years as you have continued to increase productivity. And think what
you could do if our health care costs were controlled and brought down and your
employers could spend more money on wages and on other expansions of business.
We could have the (boomingest?) economy that we've had since the end of World
War II. (Applause.)
But let me just add that this is not just about money. It's not just about the
five points guaranteed private insurance and guaranteed choice and preserving
Medicare and outlawing insurance practices and guaranteeing benefits at the
workplace. This is an issue that goes far beyond that. And Walter Ruther and
Owen Bieber and many of your leaders have not supported health care only because
it was the right thing to do for your membership. They've supported it because
it was the right thing to do for our country.
And I wish that (applause) -- I wish that every one of you could have come
with me over the past year and met the people that I have met and heard their
stories. I wish you could have been with me in New Orleans as I talked with a
woman who had worked with the same company for over 15 years as a bookkeeper;
Page 16
Federal News Service, MARCH 22, 1994
didn't have any insurance, couldn't afford to buy it on her own. But every year
she tried to do the responsible thing and go to the doctor and get a check-up.
And when I talked to her last spring, she'd been to her doctor and he'd found a
lump in her breast and he had referred her to a surgeon. And the surgeon had
told her, "If you had insurance, we'd biopsy that lump. But since you don't, we
are just going to watch it."
Or I wish you had been with me in Las Vegas in a hospital some people go to
Las Vegas for other reasons; I go to visit hospitals talking with families
who are working families where the
insurance was so costly because they didn't get any employer health. One couple
I talked to, the father had to make a very difficult decision. They had enough
money in their budget to insure him, as the primary wage-earner, and their four
children, but not enough to add his wife, who stayed at home and took care of
the children. He left his wife off the insurance policy.
A few months later she got pregnant. When I met her, she was about to have her
fifth child. And she said to me, "You know, we have looked at all these
expenses that we've got. I've got no insurance. I'm just not going to be able
to have any anesthesia when I have my baby." Now, there aren't many women in
this crowd, because of your benefits, who'd ever even have to think like that.
And I can guarantee you there's no woman married to a member of Congress who has
to make the choice about a mortgage payment or anesthesia. (Applause.)
Or I wish you could have been with me yesterday in Florida, where I met two of
the nearly 1 million Americans who have written to me about what is happening in
their lives. And I met a man whose wife had a stroke nine years ago. He's
still working into his 70s because he wants to keep his wife at home. He has
depleted most of his savings, nearly all of his retirement nest egg. The one
way he was able to keep his wife at home with him was for his daughter to quit
her job as a school teacher to come home to take care of her mother.
Once his daughter quit her job, she no longer had insurance and they didn't have
enough money for her to be insured. And here is this man doing what every one
of us would want to support and encourage, taking care of his own family, and a
daughter who's coming home to take care of a mother. They didn't want to
warehouse her in a nursing home. They wanted to keep her in the loving
atmosphere of that family. They did not get any financial help because under
our current rule there is nothing between being healthy and ending up in a
nursing home when you're a certain age unless you spend yourself into poverty
and then you can qualify for some limited assistance.
This man wasn't asking for a handout. He was asking for a little bit of help
that will save us money, because we will pay if she's in a nursing home. We
should pay a little bit to support him and his daughter as they're trying to
keep their mother and wife at home.
And I wish, finally (applause) -- I wish you had been with me at the
Cleveland Rainbow Children's Hospital one day when I met a lot of the wonderful
doctors and nurses who perform miracles for children there, just like they do
across our country in our children's hospitals. And I talked to a couple who
had three children; the first, a healthy young boy about 10, and then two
daughters, both of whom were born with congenital diseases. And every time I
meet somebody like that, I think there but for the grace of God go any of us.
And these two little girls racked up enormous medical bills in their young
lives. They busted their parents' lifetime limits. They then became
uninsurable. And this mother told me about how proud she and her husband were.
They didn't want to take welfare. They didn't want to take assistance. They
wanted to pay their own way, and they went from insurance company to insurance
company. And they never got anywhere. And finally, one insurance agent, after
Page 17
Federal News Service, MARCH 22, 1994
hearing their story and how sick their daughters were, looked at them and said,
"What you don't understand is we don't insure burning houses."
I want you think about how you would feel if that were said to you about one of
your children. I know how I would feel. And I want my daughter to grow up and
live in a country where that can never be said again to anybody at all.
(Applause.)
We have a really tough fight ahead of us. And I love this button. Thank you
for making it. Thank you for wearing it. But if we get health care reform
like we're going to get this year in Congress, it's not going to be because of
me. It's going to be because of you. And it's going to be because you will
spend your time between now and the day the president signs that bill telling
your friends and neighbors, telling your members of Congress, telling your
leadership that this has to be done, because that is what is going to be
necessary for this country finally to make good on what the promise of its
destiny is to every one of us, that if you work hard and you play by the rules,
you are going to deserve and receive social and health security just like
Franklin Roosevelt tried to do, just like Harry Truman tried to do. And now
Owen Bieber and Bill Clinton are going to get it done. (Applause.)
END
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: March 23, 1994
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UAW LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
I.
PROTECTING WORKER RIGHTS
The GOP controlled Congress has mounted a unprecedented assault on
fundamental worker rights. In particular, right win Republicans have pushed
legislative initiatives that would:
overturn President Clinton's anti-scab execut ve order;
allow employers to establish phony, mpany-dominated labor
unions;
undermine workplace health and safety rotections and slash
funding for OSHA enforcement;
dismantle the 40 hour work week and over me pay requirements;
and
establish a national "Right-to-Work" law that would prohibit workers
from negotiating union security provisions hywhere in the United
States.
In addition, the Republicans have advanced proposals t at would eliminate collective
bargaining rights for 200,000 transit workers, repeal laws requiring the payment of
prevailing wages under federal construction and service contracts, cut funding for the
National Labor Relations Board and curb its ability O seek injunctions against
lawbreaking employers, allow employers to discriminate gainst pro-union solicitations
and literature distributions, and place restrictions on so-salled 'corporate campaigns"
which are used by workers to pressure employers that break the law and refuse to
bargain In good faith.
At the same time they have been pursuing all of these anti-worker proposals, the
Republicans have steadfastly refused to consider legislation to raise the minimum
wage, which is desperately needed in order to provide tonomic assistance to millions
of working families.
Thanks to an aggressive grass roots campaign, $0 far the UAW and the rest of
the labor movement have been able to stop all of these DP assaults on worker rights.
But we need to remain vigilant against these reactionary proposals. We need to
continue to send a loud, clear message to Congress that American workers will not
stand for any weakening of their fundamental rights and labor standards! And we
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need to send an equally loud message that American workers need a raise, including a
long overdue increase in the minimum wagel
II. PRESERVE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
Congressional Republicans have pushed proposals which would have a
devastating impact on our two federal health care programs, Medicare and Medicaid.
Specifically, the Republicans have passed legislation that vould:
make huge cuts of $270 billion in Medicale and $165 billion in
Medicaid;
double the premiums which must be paid u der Medicare Part B,
causing serious financial hardship for many seniors;
undermine the quality of care provided under Medicare by
drastically reducing payments to hospitals and other providers; this
could force some urban and rural hospitals to close; and many
doctors might refuse to treat Medicare patients;
threaten the social insurance nature of Medicare by allowing
private insurance carriers to "cherry pick" lov er risk seniors;
repeal the existing Medicaid program, which currently guarantees
health care for the poor and long term care for low and middle
income families; this would be replaced with at block grant program
that only provides limited funds to the statest as a result, there no
longer would be any guarantee of coverage or benefits; this
means that millions of individuals could OS their access to basic
health care services; in particular, many orking families could
suddenly find themselves without access to long term care
services which they desperately need in order to care for elderly or
disabled parents.
impose further burdens on collectively barga ned health care plans;
if Medicare and Medicaid are cut back, this means labor unions
would have more gaps to fill in at the collective bargaining table in
order to maintain adequate health care coverage for retired
members; in addition, if payments to health care providers are
drastically reduced, they will simply shift these costs to other
payers - mainly private sector health care plans - which amounts to
a back door "tax" on working families.
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Fortunately, President Clinton vetoed these reaction ary GOP proposals. But the
Republicans are continuing to press their proposals to dismantle Medicare and
Medicaid.
The UAW and a broad coalition of progressive organizations have been
vigorously fighting these attacks on our health security. But we need to keep up the
pressure in this key area. We need to let Congress now that we are unalterably
opposed to the right wing attempts to undermine Medicare and Medicaid. We must
continue to insist that Medicare and Medicaid must be erved!
III. DEFEND TAX FAIRNESS
House and Senate Republicans have been pushing a series of proposals that
would give huge new tax breaks to corporations and wealthy individuals. This
includes big reduction in taxes on capital gains, as well a provisions that would repeal
the corporate alternative minimum tax and Increase business depreciation deductions.
At the same time, the Republicans have attempted to scal back the earned income tax
credit, thereby increasing taxes on low income working families.
This "Robin Hood in Reverse" agenda would be ad enough by itself. Even
worse, however, is how the Republicans have proposed to pay for their tax goodles for
corporations and the rich: namely, by making huge cuts in Medicare and Medicaid.
President Clinton vetoed the GOP's skewed ax and budget proposals.
Instead, he proposed a plan to balance the federal budget which preserved Medicare
and Medicaid and did not provide huge tax giveaways o corporations
and
the
rich.
The Republicans flatly rejected Clinton's budget plan.
n doing so, the Republicans
showed that their real objective in slashing Medicare and ledicaid was not to achieve a
balanced budget, but rather to pay for the big new tax breaks fortheir "fat cat" allies.
The Republicans have made no secret about their future tax agenda. If they
prevail in the 1996 elections, the GOP leadership is determined to push proposals for a
so-called "flat tax". This is simply another right wing scheme to provide huge tax
windfalls to the rich, without providing any genuine tax ef to middle and low income
working families.
The UAW and other progressive groups have been strenuously opposing the
GOP tax proposals. We need to continue stand up for undamental tax fairness, and
against proposals that would provide tax giveaways to CO porations and the rich, while
increasing taxes on ordinary working familles.
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The 1996 elections will mark a crucial turning point for our country. If the
Republicans maintain their control of Congress and win the Presidency, then they will
be able to enact their reactionary agenda.
Funda nental worker rights will be
repealed; Medicare and Medicaid will be slashed; and the tax code will be further
skewed towards special interests and the rich. On the other hand, if we are able to
elect pro-worker candidates to Congress and re-elect President Clinton, then this right
wing agenda will be killed. We can once again begin to work for progressive policies
that will benefit working families.
Thus, our current task is clear. We must continue to educate UAW members,
their families, friends, neighbors, and the general public bout the crucial issues facing
our country. We must emphasize the critical priorities facing us:
PROTECT WORKER RIGHTS
PRESERVE MEDICARE AND MEDIC AID
DEFEND TAX FAIRNESS
AR:car
opeiu494
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Day 456-5709
UAW
INTERNATIONAL UNION, UNITED AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE & AGRICULT RAL implement WORKERS OF AMERICA-UAW
stephen P. YOKICH, President
ROY O. WYSE, Secretary-Tressurer
VICE PRESIDENTS
CAROLYN FORREST . JACK LASKOWSKI ERNEST LOFTON RICH RD SHOEMAKER
FAX to: First Lady's Ofc.
Sabrina Carlette
IN REPLY REFER TO
1757 N STREET N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
TELEPHONE: (202) 828-8500
FAX (202) 283-3457
TELEX 710-822-1841
FROM: alan Reuther
TIME/DATE: 4/15/9 6
SUBJECT:
COMMENT:
PAGES to FOLLOW: 4
UAW
XXXXXXXXX
Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / June 12
1043
I am tempted to say that we actually ar-
for me to host Captain O'Grady and all the
ranged this weather today so that Captain
fine members of his family, beginning with
O'Grady would know for sure that he was
his grandparents and going down to his
not going to be left high and dry. [Laughter]
brother and sister and some of his friends,
We are all here to thank our men and
at the White House for lunch today.
women in uniform for the rescue of Captain
I can tell you that he certifies he got a
Scott O'Grady. Their mission made all Amer-
better meal today than he did in those 6 days
icans proud, just as Captain O'Grady's cour-
in Bosnia. But he gave us something more
age has made all Americans proud. We know
precious than we can ever give him, a re-
that the skill and professionalism of our
minder of what is very best about our coun-
Armed Forces and the intelligence that backs
try. And I'd like to now ask Captain O'Grady
them up are unmatched. We know that the
to come up here and say what's on his mind
months, the weeks, the years in training
and heart to the people who gave him back
someday, somewhere will always have to be
his freedom.
put into effect. And, last week, those of you
Captain Scott O'Grady.
who brought life to that training and saved
one brave man's life said more about what
NOTE: The President spoke at 1:42 p.m. at the
we stand for as a country, what our values
Pentagon.
are, and what our commitments are than any
words the rest of us could ever utter, and
Remarks to the United Auto Workers
we thank you for it.
Convention
Consider this: that an F-16 pilot in Cap-
June 12, 1995
tain O'Grady's "Triple Nickel" squadron
picks up a faint radio signal and relays it to
Thank you very much. Thank you, Owen,
an AWACS plane. Within minutes, the
for that fine introduction, and thank you for
AWACS operators positively identify Captain
your leadership over the years. I want to con-
O'Grady and pinpoint his location. Then just
gratulate you and the other officers who are
hours later, no less than 40 airplanes and hel-
retiring. I want to say a special word of hello
icopters are airborne, led by a combat search
to all the brothers and sisters of the United
and rescue team from the 24th Marine Expe-
Auto Workers throughout the country, espe-
ditionary Unit, commanded by Colonel Mar-
cially those from my home State of Arkansas,
tin Berndt. The AWACS aircraft, a marvel
with whom I've worked over the years.
of our technology, guide two Super Stallion
I'd like to say a word, also, to Dennis Fit-
helicopters to within 50 yards of Captain
ting, the president of Local 455 out of Sagi-
O'Grady. In 2 minutes, the marines secure
naw, who was with me last Friday at the
the landing site, and whisked the captain to
White House for a reunion of a group of ex-
safety under hostile conditions.
ceptional Americans whom I met along the
When I spoke to Captain O'Grady once
campaign trail in 1992. We call this group
he was on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge, he
the Faces of Hope. And I want to thank Den-
told me his rescuers were the real heroes.
nis for being a member of the group and
Well, it can't be done any better than they
for his commitment to our efforts to move
did it. They showed our Nation and the world
America forward.
the best of our teamwork. When we finished
All of you know better than anybody that
our conversation, Captain O'Grady re-
Owen Bieber has dedicated his entire life to
marked, "Mr. President, I just want to say
improving the lives of working families. He
one thing: The United States is the greatest
took over the UAW 12 years ago, during one
country in the world. God bless America."
of the toughest periods in your entire history.
The men and women of our Armed Forces
In all of the years, he has never wavered,
also bless our America with your service and
even in the face of administrations here in
your skills. Because you do your job so well,
Washington that were sure less than friendly.
our Nation will always be "The Land of the
He's always stood strong not only for UAW
Free and the Home of the Brave." Now, let
workers and their families and their incomes
me say it was a very great personal honor
and their future but for the kind of broad
1044
June 12 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995
social progress that has been the hallmark
middle class. I wanted to rebuild a sense of
of the UAW since its beginning in the 1930's.
hope and community. I wanted to help peo-
Whether it was in the fight for civil rights
ple to make the most of their own lives. I
or the fight to end apartheid in South Africa,
wanted to reward the values that have kept
your solidarity with the American farm work-
this country strong, the values of work and
ers, the UAW has always been there for oth-
family and community. And so I've worked
ers as well as for your own interests.
hard to develop an economic strategy that
Owen Bieber has truly carried on the leg-
focuses on both creating jobs and raising in-
acy of Walter Reuther. And moreover, in a
comes. And I've focused on a social strategy
very difficult period in our country's history,
that would, instead of just talking about fam-
he has set the stage for even greater strength
ily values or work, would actually reward
for you in the 21st century. We all owe him
work and family and responsible parenting
our deepest gratitude and our best wishes.
and good citizenship. And it's beginning to
And I feel especially indebted to him for his
work.
advice, his counsel, and his ferocious support.
In the past 2½ years, our economic strat-
Thank you very much, Owen. We all wish
egy has added almost 7 million new jobs to
you well and Godspeed.
our economy, and nearly all of them have
Now, I know you haven't elected your new
been in the private sector. We're cutting the
officers yet, but I wanted to say that I person-
deficit by a trillion over 7 years, reducing it
ally would feel a whole lot better about my
for 3 years in a row for the first time since
campaign if we could go into 1996 with poll
Harry Truman was President. But we have
numbers looking like Steve Yokich's do right
been able to invest more in the education
now for you.
and training of our people and in the pro-
One of the most memorable moments in
motion of our children and strengthening our
my 1992 campaign, and I had a lot of memo-
families.
rable moments with the UAW, but one of
We've been able to give a tax cut to 15
the most memorable was the opportunity I
million working families through the earned-
had to walk the picket line with Owen and
income tax credit. What that means in simple
the striking workers of Caterpillar in Peoria.
terms is that this year working families with
I looked into the tired but determined faces
two children with an income of under
of men and women on that picket line, and
$28,000 will have a tax break of about $1,000.
I realized how much was at stake, for them
We want to make it so that every family
and for all the rest of us as well.
who works for a living will not live in poverty.
I ran for President because I believed we
We want parents who are willing to work full-
had to do more to help those workers and
time to be good parents and good workers
millions of Americans just like them who had
at the same time. That's also why I worked
seen their stake in the American dream up-
so hard and you worked so hard for the pas-
rooted during the 1980's; people who were
sage of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
being abandoned by Washington; people
It will make a real difference to working fam-
who were working harder and harder for less
ilies in this country.
and less. Their struggle showed me better
As you know, we're having a big debate
than any report or any poll that the fight to
now in Washington over balancing the budg-
save the American dream and the fight to
et. As I have said many times, I want to bal-
save American families must begin with the
ance the budget. It will help you if we do.
fight to save America's workers and their in-
It will lower interest rates. It will free up
comes and their jobs. Of course, the struggle
money to invest in the private sector and new
at Caterpillar is still not over, but my admin-
jobs. It will mean that we can spend more
istration continues to walk the line with you,
of your tax money on things like the edu-
and we'll stay there.
cation of our children and less paying interest
I came to Washington to work with you
on the debt.
and with all other Americans to turn these
But we cannot balance the budget by giv-
disturbing economic trends around. I wanted
ing a huge and untargeted tax cut that bene-
to shrink the under class and to grow the
fits mostly very wealthy people and paying
Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / June 12
1045
for it by excessive cuts in the Medicare pro-
gram to get the kind of training they need.
gram. We can't do it by walking away from
When people lose their jobs in this country
the fact that we have not only a budget deficit
today, too often people walk away from them.
but an education investment. You know as
And it's wrong.
well as anyone, from the increases in produc-
Let me take just a moment to talk about
tivity the UAW has achieved in the last sev-
one other aspect of our strategy that is crucial
eral years, that we have to have constant edu-
to our future. As we enter the 21st century,
cation and training if we're going to guaran-
trade is becoming more and more important
tee our young people the incomes and the
to the long-term health of the American
security they need.
economy. We only have 4 percent of the
So I say, we all know that the countries
world's population. Our success in the future
that do the best job of educating all their
rests heavily on being able to sell our goods
people will be the real winners in the global
and our services to the other 96 percent of
economy. No one understands this more than
the world.
you. You have led the way with your appren-
When we open new markets, we find new
ticeship programs and your training pro-
consumers for our products. When we sell
grams. You have worked and worked and
more products, we create more jobs. Every
worked to support the kind of lifelong learn-
billion dollars in new exports creates 17,000
ing agenda that is central to my efforts to
revitalize the American middle class.
new American jobs. That's why I've done my
And that's why, even though I agree we
dead-level best as President to open new
should balance the budget, we don't have to
markets around the world. The Congress has
be targeted into an arbitrary timetable, fund-
helped me, because it means so much to our
ing excessive tax cuts to people who are doing
economy and to our way of life. The fight
well and don't need it, and having excessive
for open trade should not be a partisan issue.
cuts either in Medicare for our elderly or in
Democrats and Republicans work together
the investments that make our country
to put in place more than 80 trade agree-
strong.
ments in just over 2 years.
I'm fighting to preserve our investments,
I know you haven't always agreed with us,
like the direct student loan initiative, which
and I understand. I think I did the right
lowers the cost of college loans to your chil-
thing, because we get the burdens of low
dren, eases their repayment terms and makes
wage countries shipping goods into this coun-
it possible for more of our young people to
try and into our markets no matter what we
go and to stay in college; our innovative
do. The trade agreements we've reached
school-to-work apprenticeship efforts, which
aren't just pieces of paper, they're meaning-
involves partnerships with unions and com-
ful, concrete pacts that open up markets to
munity colleges and employers all over the
us and create jobs that, on balance, pay above
country; our successful national service initia-
the national average.
tive, AmeriCorps, which gives 20,000 young
Open trade is now expanding all around
people college scholarship funds in return for
the world, everywhere, that is, but Japan. Of
community service work in their local com-
all the industrialized countries, Japan imports
munity, helping people to help themselves.
fewer manufacturing goods for their size than
We can't afford not to support something
any other by a long shot. At times, some peo-
as important to our future as the education
ple said it was our fault that we didn't sell
and training of all of our people. That's why
more there. They said our deficit was too
I am also supporting a new GI bill for Ameri-
high. They said our products were not com-
ca's workers, to collapse about 70 smaller
petitive.
Government training programs into one big
Well, we cut the deficit, and on an annual
block and to give people a check or a voucher
basis now, our deficit is as small a percentage
when they're unemployed or when they're
of our income as that of any other advanced
underemployed so that they can take the
country in the world. And all of you and mil-
money for up to 2 years to a local community
lions of American workers like you worked
college or to any other approved training pro-
hard to make sure that our products could
1046
June 12 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995
compete and win in terms of price and qual-
than the European market, more open than
ity.
most markets in the world. The Japanese
Now in some areas we have made progress
auto market, by contrast, is still closed to
with Japan over the last 2½ years. We've con-
American products. We have tried and tried
cluded 14 results-oriented agreements. Be-
other means as long as we could. And we
lieve it or not, they're now eating American
have tried long enough. Now we must act
rice in Tokyo. Japanese consumers are buy-
decisively to level the playing field and to
ing everything from our apples to our tele-
protect American jobs.
communications equipment. But in many
I have ordered the U.S. Trade Representa-
areas, Japan's market remains stubbornly
tive to impose 100 percent tariffs on 13 Japa-
closed. There's no question this is about arti-
nese-made luxury cars by June 28 unless
ficial trade barriers, not the quality of Amer-
Japan agrees to open its markets to cars and
ican products.
car parts before then. Now the ball is in their
By some estimates, if Japan had open mar-
court. I hope Japan is ready to reach a serious
kets, the increase in U.S. exports would cre-
agreement. But make no mistake, if we have
ate hundreds of thousands of American jobs.
not resolved this by June 28, these sanctions
By the way, it would have been good for the
will go into effect.
Japanese, too, because their consumers pay
I'm gratified that there's so much over-
almost 40 percent more than they should for
whelming bipartisan support for this policy
the basic necessities and products of life.
in the Congress. It's time for the Japanese
Japan's trade barriers are most unfair, as
to play by the same rules the rest of us play
you well know, when it comes to cars and
car parts. In the last 25 years, we shipped
by. If working Americans see us continue to
400,000 cars to Japan, and they shipped 40
put up with unfair deals, they'll lose their
million cars to us. That's a 100:1 ratio. Be
faith in open trade. And we can't afford that.
sure and quote that number the next time
We've made too much progress opening mar-
somebody tells you there's not really a trade
kets to risk letting this problem with Japan
problem here.
spin out of control. We can't hesitate to fight
Twenty-two years ago, in 1973, the Big
for our rights.
Three had less than one percent of Japan's
Japan is a valued friend and partner. We
auto market. Every President since then has
cooperate on a host of other issues. Our trade
tried to fix this problem and open the Japa-
relationship must also reflect that kind of co-
nese market to American cars. You know
operation. It has to be a two-way street.
what kind of success we've all had, what kind
That's all I'm working to do. Just as we must
of market share the Big Three has today,
be good partners with the other nations of
after 22 years? A whopping 1.5 percent.
the world, we know that Japan must be a
Now, you know how bad this problem is.
good partner with us.
Our auto industry accounts for about 5 per-
Let me say again, this is not just in our
cent of our gross domestic product directly.
interest; this is in their interest. Even though
It employs 2½ million Americans. But when
their incomes are high, they are paying al-
the auto industry does well, so do a lot of
most 40 percent more for consumer products
other people, the people who make iron and
than they should. We'll all win if we have
steel and aluminum and rubber and glass and
fair and open trade.
semi-conductors, the things the auto industry
I also want to ask all of you to be partners
needs. American auto parts are so good that
in strengthening the economy. I believe
we have an auto parts trade surplus of $5.1
good, strong unions and good faith collective
billion around the world, because demanding
bargaining are essential to helping us meet
companies, like BMW and Mercedes, use
the challenges of the future. That's why one
our auto parts all the time. But with Japan,
of the first things I did upon taking office
we have $12.8 billion trade deficit.
was to rescind the anti-union Executive or-
My fellow Americans, this is a simple ques-
ders of the previous 12 years. And 3 months
tion of fairness. The American auto market
ago I signed an Executive order that states
is open to Japanese products, more open
loud and clear we will not allow companies
Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / June 12
1047
that do business with the Government to per-
me of the words to a country and western
manently replace striking workers.
song, "How can anything that sounds so good
The right to strike is a fundamental Amer-
make me feel so bad?"
ican right. Anyone who tries to deny that
There are those who talk about the health
right can expect a fight from this administra-
and safety of working Americans that try to
tion. Labor unions have worked too hard in
weaken, even to gut health and safety stand-
the 1980's and the early nineties. They have
ards; those who say they support work over
made too many concessions. They have
welfare, but support a welfare reform bill
changed too many work rules. They have
that's weak on work and tough on children,
shown over and over and over again the will-
one the Congressional Budget Office says is
ingness to make changes to become more
unworkable in 44 of our 50 States They say
productive and more competitive. When they
that work should pay, but they oppose raising
make those kind of changes and show that
the minimum wage to make it a living wage.
kind of flexibility and when they have the
All of you know how important the minimum
kind of results that have been achieved, they
wage has been to making sure people have
deserve to be respected, and the spirit as well
a decent standard of living in this country.
as the letter of the law should be honored.
You know, I saw something recently that
We will also fight any attempts by compa-
brings home the need for an increase in the
nies to dominate labor unions. I will veto any
minimum wage more than anything else that
effort to weaken Section 8(a)(2) of the Na-
I've seen in recent months. I was watching
tional Labor Relations Act. And I am fighting
a news special on television, and they went
to preserve your hard-earned wage protec-
down South to a town that had a lot of mini-
tions. The Davis-Bacon Act and the Service
mum-wage workers. There they interviewed
Contract Act are the foundations for decent
a remarkable woman in a local plant who was
living standards for many, many Americans.
working for the minimum wage. They said
Some want to take that away, but I want to
to her, "You know, your employer says if we
stand at your side to protect that standard
raise the minimum wage, then they'll either
of living that you have fought long and hard
have to lay off people or put more money
to maintain. I don't agree with those who
into machinery and reduce their employment
criticize these acts as inefficient or excessive.
long term, and you could be affected. What
I believe that the Davis-Bacon and Service
do you say to that?" And the woman just
Contract Act simply put the American Gov-
threw back her shoulders and smiled and
ernment on the side of favoring a high-wage,
said, "Honey, I'll take my chances."
high-growth economy. I don't believe we
There are a lot of women and no small
should support policies that increase the in-
number of men out there who are in that
equality that has grown so much over pre-
situation. Some of them are raising their kids
L
vious years.
on the minimum wage. The truth is we have
I believe we should go up or down to-
looked at all the arguments, pro and con.
gether. We should have shared sacrifice; we
There is really no evidence that a raise in
should have shared benefits. And I will veto
the minimum wage will cost jobs, but we do
any effort to repeal those laws.
know it will make more people want to move
I also believe, as you do, that collective
from welfare to work. We do know it will
bargaining is not a privilege but a right. Our
reward work. And we know if we don't raise
appointments to the NLRB, Bill Gould,
the minimum wage, next year it will be at
Peggy Browning, and the General Counsel,
a 40-year low, once you adjust for inflation.
Fred Feinstein, are committed to preserving
That's not my idea of the 21st century
that right.
economy. My idea of the 21st century econ-
And so, together, we are all working here,
omy is Americans working hard, working
fighting hard to help you hold on to what
smart, well-trained, well-supported, compet-
you've struggled to win over six decades. But
ing and winning in the global economy, doing
after standing in your way for 12 years, there
the kinds of things the UAW is doing today,
are those in Congress who now want you to
not driving down the minimum wage so that
believe they're on your side. Kind of reminds
more and more people work harder and
1048
June 12 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995
harder just to fall into poverty. That's wrong,
Proclamation 6809-Father's Day,
and we need to turn it around. We need to
1995
give everybody a fair shot at the American
June 12, 1995
dream.
In closing, let me say that our work here
By the President of the United States
requires a partnership with you, so that we'll
of America
be ready to compete and win in the 21st cen-
tury; so that we don't raise the first genera-
A Proclamation
tion of Americans to do worse than their par-
As children finish the school year and fam-
ents; so that, instead, we begin to grow the
ilies begin to enjoy the long days of summer,
middle class and shrink the under class again.
Americans across the country reach out to
The future of our Nation depends upon re-
their fathers in thanks. Every year, Father's
warding the efforts of workers like you. You
Day gives us a chance to spend time with
and your families are the heart and soul of
our families and to honor the bond between
America, so we have to work together to pre-
parent and child. It is a moment for dads
serve not only what has been won but to fight
to find joy in the blessings that fatherhood
for the jobs, the incomes, the justice, the
brings. And it is a day for remembering that
American dream of the future. We can do
children can grow up immeasurably stronger
it. We can do it.
with the gift of a father's love.
Thank you, and God bless you all.
The most fortunate among us can claim
warm memories of our fathers' lessons—
times when dads can be models of energy
NOTE: The President spoke by satellite at approxi-
mately 5:45 p.m. from Room 459 of the Old Exec-
and patience. Whether encouraging their
utive Office Building to the UAW meeting in Ana-
children in taking their first steps, riding a
heim, CA. In his remarks, he referred to Owen
bike or meeting other challenges in life, fa-
Bieber, outgoing president, and Steve Yokich, in-
thers teach us the importance of balance and
coming president, United Auto Workers.
stand behind us until we're steady. Through
the scrapes and self-doubts that every young
person confronts, fathers can be our role
Statement on the Retirement of Lane
models and heroes, soothing childhood fears
Kirkland
and instilling the steady values of hard work
and fair play. They are our guidance coun-
June 12, 1995
selors and our best friends. Their faith in-
spires us to try again when we fail and fills
American workers, and workers around
us with pride when we succeed. As coaches
the world, owe a tremendous debt of grati-
and caregivers, teachers and workers, fathers
tude to Lane Kirkland. For nearly five dec-
who make parenthood a priority earn their
ades, he has been a catalyst for international
families' lasting respect.
democracy and a guiding force for workplace
We Americans rely on our fathers for cour-
fairness, dignity, and innovation.
age and compassion, and the security of hav-
His record of achievement rivals the great
ing them with us gives us confidence in all
labor leaders that came before him, and his
of our endeavors. On this special day, let
ideas and accomplishments will benefit work-
America's sons and daughters show their fa-
ing families for generations to come. He
thers that they care. Let us continue to strive
served with distinction during some of the
for a world in which every child grows up
toughest times for American workers and
safe-a world in which every child knows
brought creativity, a laser-like determination,
that though they may feel sometimes un-
true grit, and an unparalleled intellect to his
steady, their fathers are behind them always.
job as president of the AFL-CIO.
Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton,
Hillary and I wish him the very best for
President of the United States of America,
the future and will always be grateful for his
in accordance with a joint resolution of the
strong support, keen advice, and valued
Congress approved April 24, 1972 (36 U.S.C.
friendship.
142a), do hereby proclaim Sunday, June 18,
Sm
Aas
Fill
April
Scheduling Proposal
2/5/96
Accept
Regret
Pending
TO:
Patti Solis
Director of Scheduling
FROM:
Harold Ickes
Jennifer O'Connor
REQUEST:
For the First Lady to attend a dinner
for the International Union, United
Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculture
Implement Workers of America's
Legislative-Political conference.
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND:
Over 2,000 delegates will attend the
1996 Legislative-Political Conference
for UAW. This conference will be
attended by UAW local union leaders and
political activists from across the
country, as well as the Officers and
Board Members of the UAW. This speech
will serve to both energize and educate
the participants for this crucial
election year. This is the first
legislative conference for the new UAW
President Steve Yokich, so it is crucial
that we send a principal.
DATE and TIME:
April 21, 1996, 8:00 p.m.
DURATION:
30 minutes
PARTICIPATION:
Stephen Yokich, President, UAW
2,000 UAW local union leaders
OUTLINE OF EVENTS:
TBD
REMARKS REQUIRED:
Remarks needed
ORIGIN OF PROPOSAL:
UAW invitation
CONTACT:
JENNIFER O'CONNOR
6-6350
42 COPY to
CABL
CAW DETROIT"
Jan 0'c
Polidarity House
8000 EAST JEFFERSON AVE
DETROIT MICHIGAN 48214
PHONE (313) 926-5000
UAW
INTERNATIONAL UNION, UNITED AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE & AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKERS OF AMERICA-UAW
STEPHEN P. YOKICH, PRESIDENT
ROY O. WYSE, SECRETARY-TREASURER
VICE-PRESIDENTS: CAROLYN FORREST
JACK LASKOWSKI
ERNEST LOFTON
RICHARD SHOEMAKER
February 1, 1996
Mr. William J. Clinton, President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20050
Flethed my
is this
Dear Mr. President:
The UAW would like to invite you to speak at two important UAW events that are scheduled for April,
1996.
First, we would like you to be the keynote speaker at a sit-down dinner for over 2000 delegates at our annual
Legislative-Political Conference on Sunday, April 21, 1996 at the Sheraton Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C.
This conference will be attended by UAW local union leaders and political activists from across the country, as well
as the Officers and Board Members of the UAW. We are confident that your remarks can energize these delegates
to carry back to their factories and communities enthusiasm and dedication for the many important battles that lie
ahead during the coming year.
The sit-down dinner will be held in the Sheraton Ballroom of the Sheraton Washington Hotel, 2660 Woodley
Road, N.W. The dinner will start at 7:00 p.m. If possible we would like you to speak at around 8:00 p.m. for
about 30 minutes. Of course, we would be happy to make adjustments to accommodate your schedule.
Second, we would like to invite you to make a presentation, either in person or by satellite link up, to the
delegates who will be attending our Collective Bargaining Convention at Cobo Hall in Detroit on April 1, 1996.
This convention will be attended by over 2000 local union leaders from all parts of the country, who will be
establishing the UAW's collective bargaining agenda for the upcoming auto negotiations. Again, we believe your
remarks would be well received by these delegates, and would help to spark excitement for the difficult tasks that
confront us in this critically important year.
We would be happy to work with you and your staff on arrangements for these two events. If you have any
questions, you can reach my office at (313) 926-5201. You can also have your staff contact either Tim Foley,
Administrative Assistant and National CAP Director, at (313) 926-5687, or Alan Reuther, Legislative Director, at
(202) 828-8500.
Thank you' for considering these invitations.
I hope you will be able to address these two important
gatherings of UAW leaders and political activists.
Sincerely,
Yokich
Stephen Plyahic
Stephen P. Yokich
President, UAW
SPY:car
C893
opeiu494
Page 18
34TH STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright 1993 PR Newswire Association, Inc.
PR Newswire
September 22, 1993, Wednesday
SECTION: Domestic News
DISTRIBUTION: TO NATIONAL AND MEDICAL EDITORS
LENGTH: 289 words
HEADLINE: UAW SUPPORTS CLINTON HEALTH CARE PLAN
DATELINE: DETROIT, Sept. 22
BODY:
UAW President Owen Bieber strongly endorsed the health care plan to be
announced tonight by President Bill Clinton, stating, "We believe that this
well-thought-out and carefully studied plan will make health care more
affordable, more accessible and more secure."
"That's good for workers, good for employers and good for the country,"
Bieber added.
"As long-time leaders in the fight for national health care reform," Bieber
continued, "we will work with pride and energy to enact this landmark program."
Commenting on specific elements of the Clinton proposal, the UAW leader said,
"According to our information, this plan incorporates a number of basic
principles which the UAW has long supported. We are pleased that the plan:
-- guarantees universal access to a comprehensive range of health care
benefits;
-- imposes tough cost containment through enforceable budgets;
-- solves the retiree health care problem;
-- establishes a level playing field between all employers by requiring all
employers to contribute to the cost of health care, and by requiring community
rating for health insurance premiums;
-- places a cap on overall out-of-pocket costs (both premiums and cost
sharing) which any individual may be required to pay; and
-- retains the tax-free status of health care benefits." ⑉
Bieber also commended the Clinton plan for its compatibility with the union's
long-term goal of achieving a single-payer health care system.
"We salute the efforts of President Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton and the
entire White House health care team for their dedicated and successful effort.
Page 19
PR Newswire, September 22, 1993
We are committed to its passage," Bieber concluded. CONTACT: Reg McGhee of the
UAW, 313-926-5291
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: September 23, 1993
THE NEW YORK TIMES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1996
Continuedyrom Page Al
Dole Pulls Bill
should be done on the minimum
On Immigration
wage, and today he avoided ques-
tions on the subject by walking brisk-
ly past reporters whom he usually
Over Side Issues
chats with on Tuesdays after the
regular Republican caucus lunch.
Then his anger bubbled over after
Democrats rejected his request that
By ADAM CLYMER
any amendments to the immigration
WASHINGTON, April 16 - Sena-
bill be relevant to immigration. Un-
tor Bob Dole suddenly pulled the
like the House, the Senate permits
immigration bill from the Senate
amendments that are not germane to
floor today, angered by Democratic
the bill on the floor, and members of
attempts to force votes on amend-
the majority and the minority often
ments dealing with the minimum
use such amendments as a way to
wage and Social Security, two issues.
extract proposals that are trapped in
that would put the presumptive Re-
committee.
publican Presidential nominee and
Mr. Dole complained that the im-
his party on the spot politically.
migration bill, which would strength-
Democrats offered to limit debate
en enforcement efforts against ille-
sure how this would come to pass.
on their amendments to an hour
gal immigrants and deny some bene-
The immigration bill, on which Mr.
each, or less. Nevertheless, Mr. Dole,
fits to lawful immigrants, "is going
Simpson and Mr. Kennedy have
the majority leader, accused Demo-
to be held hostage to Social Security
worked closely, would also make it
crats of holding the immigration bill
amendments, minimum wage
easier to deport aliens and curtail
"hostage" and of trying to frustrate
amendments," adding: "They can
the process of seeking political asy-
Republican efforts to pass any legis-
think of five or six others. Then they
lum.
lation. "We have the majority," he
have the gall to stand up and say, we
The Social Security issue is an
insisted.
want to move ahead on illegal immi-
effort by Democrats to pass a non-
Sr. Dole appeared- flummoxed by
gration. We know what's happen-
binding statement that the Senate
how to deal with the issue of raising
ing."
does not believe that changing re-
the minimum wage from $4.25 to
He told the Senate, "I know some
ceipts and outlays for Social Security
$5.15, a central Democratic cam-
would like to frustrate any efforts on
should be considered to be a legiti-
paign issue. The idea is supported by
this side of the aisle, but we do have a
mate part of any constitutional
84 percent of the American public,
majority."
amendment requiring a balanced
according to the latest New York
"We will try to do our best to move
budget. Mr. Dole intends to bring up
Times CBS News Poll. But it draws
legislation the American people have
that constitutional amendment,
intense opposition from business and
an interest in," he continued. "Illegal
which the Senate defeated last year,
House Republican leaders.
immigration, wherever you go, ille-
again in May, but under a parliamen-
But while he juggled competing
gal immigration is a big, big issue. If
tary situation in which the Demo-
political considerations, the Demo-
we are going to be frustrated by an
crats could not offer the Social Secu-
crats were enjoying his difficulties
effort the other side to hold the bill
rity proposal.
and the opportunity to stick Mr. Dole
hostage, that's up to them. They can
But plainly the minimum wage is
with the disadvantages of running
make it happen, and they can explain
the most difficult issue, and it be-
the Senate while running for Presi-
it to the voters in November."
came even tougher this afternoon
dent.
Senator Tom Daschle, the minor-
when 13 House Republicans an-
So. far the minimum wage pro-
ity leader, shot back: "We didn't pull
nounced that they supported increas-
posal is supported by only a few
the bill. We could be taking up
ing the minimum wage to $5.25, rais-
Senate Republicans, but they and the
amendments right now. We have al-
ing the Democrats a dime.
Democrats can combine to pass it if
ready agreed to short time agree-
The 13 Republicans are Represent-
it.ever comes up for a vote.
ments."
atives Nancy L. Johnson and Christo-
Thirteen House Republicans are
Senator-Edward M. Kennedy, the
pher Shays of Connecticut, Bill Mar-
expected to announce Wednesday
Massachusetts Democrat who is
tini of New Jersey, Sherwood Boeh-
that they have broken ranks on the
leading the minimum wage effort,
lert, Benjamin A. Gilman, Amo
issue, too. House leaders, who
said, "We have been unable to get
Houghton, Rick A. Lazio, Jack Quinn
spurned a Democratic demand for a
consideration of that measure now
and James T. Walsh of New York,
vote today, are understood to be un-
for over a year." He warned, 'This
Phil English of Pennsylvania, Jim
certain about whether they would
issue is not going to go away."
Leach of Iowa, Peter G. Torkildsen
win if they had to allow one.
Senator Alan K. Simpson of Wyo-
of Massachusetts and Steve Horn of
Over the weekend, Mr. Dole said
ming, the floor manager of the immi-
California.
he had not thought about what
gration bill, said he did not think the
Mr. Martini, who announced the
bill was dead. "They will get back to
proposed legislation, said: "It is time
Continued on Page A18, Column 1
immigration when it gets to the end
to give hard-working men and wom-
of the week," he said. "It's called
en a raise. They deserve a fair return.
how you really legislate."
on a hard day's labor. That is why I
But he indicated that he was not
have called upon the House leader-
ship to bring this important bill up
for a vote."
By themselves, the 13 Republicans
would not be enough to get a bill
passed, even if the 196 Democrats
and one independent voted for it. But
they would make it close. There are
236 Republicans in the House and
two vacancies.
And Representative Richard A.
Gephardt of Missouri, the minority
leader, said today that the important
thing was to get the issue before the
House for a vote. "I think when we
have that chance," he said, "we will
pass it" because other Republicans
would be reluctant to vote against an
increase.
BEIRUT STAGGERS
Continued from Page Al
'The battle is not
Hezbollah. In any case, there is a
AS ISRAEL'S RAIDS
serious question about its ability to
against Hezbollah; it
do so singlehandedly; the Syrian
Army, not the Lebanese Army, is the
is against Lebanon. ,
ENTER SIXTH DAY
most powerful military force in this
country and many diplomats believe
that only Syria" is in a position to
aged anymore to come to Lebanon?"
seriously constrain Hezbollah's mili-
said Farid Makari, Lebanon's Minis-
tary operations.
ter of Information. 'Capital is cow-
ECONOMIC STRAIN GROWS
Syria has 35,000 troops in Leba-
ard,' they say. They will think three
non, and its endorsement of what it
times before they come again."
calls Hezbollah's justifiable war
It may be several months, Leba-
Seaports Shut, Power Plants
against Israeli occupiers makes it all
nese officials say, before the most
but impossible for any Lebanese offi-
heavily damaged of the power plants
Badly Damaged and Sales
cials to criticize the organization
can be fully repaired, leaving tens of
publicly.
thousands of people with only
of Gasoline Rationed
In Beirut today, scores of Hezbol-
sporadic electric supplies. While it
lah volunteers found ready contribu-
has not yet made an estimate of the
tors as they made collections among
total cost of the war damage, the
By DOUGLAS JEHL
passing motorists in the city's most-
Lebanese Government has said the
ly Muslim west and predominantly
cost of repairing the worst-hit plant
BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 16 - As
Christian east. The volunteers wore
might surpass $80 million.
Israel pounded targets in Lebanon
vests adorned with Hezbollah's sym-
The Lebanese Red Cross, which
for the sixth straight day, this capi-
bol, a hand clutching a dagger.
has just 32 ambulances and 700 vol-
tal staggered today under the social
At the headquarters for the Leba-
unteers, acknowledged today that it
and economic strain of an assault
nese Red Cross, dozens of other
had been able to provide food for no.
that has all but closed the country's
youngsters Christians and Mus-
more than a fraction of the refugee
sea ports, damaged three power sta-
lims alike packed boxes with food
population, although private founda-
tions and sent hundreds of thousands
and other supplies for distribution at
tions, including one headed by the
of refugees fleeing their homes.
refugee sites that virtually line the
sister of Lebanon's Prime Minister,
With the country's schools trans-
coastal road from Beirut south to
Rafik al-Hariri, have made substan-
formed into temporary shelters, the
Sidon.
tial contributions.
authorities announced that all class-
In attacks today, Israeli strikes
Young volunteers at the Red Cross
es would be curtailed until at least
claimed seven more Lebanese lives,
headquarters were trying desperate-
early next week. And as Israeli war-
including two soldiers in south Leba-
ly to procure donations of medicine,
ships maintained an offshore block-
non and a 2-year-old girl who was
and officials said the organization,
ade, the Government advised serv-
killed in southern Beirut when heli-
which relies entirely on private dona-
ice stations to ration gasoline sales.
copter rocket fire demolished a
tions, is totally out of cash.
The mounting toll of attacks that
three-story apartment building.
"Children are getting the flu and
Israel says are aimed at the pro-
Lebanese officials say that none of
infections from sleeping on the
Iranian forces of Hezbollah, or the
those killed so far were Hezbollah
ground and from going without hot
Party of God, represents a heavy
members. And after two days in
food or milk," one worker said. "Old
blow for people who had begun to
which Israeli warplanes have
people don't have their diabetes
believe that their country had finally
bombed power stations on the out-
medicine. We need everything thing
overcome 15 years of civil war and
skirts of Beirut, causing damage es-
from aspirin to antibiotics."
might reclaim its lost glory.
timated at tens of millions of dollars,
As the United States and other
"We've been climbing the ladder
the officials vented fury at what they
powers tried to broker a cease-fire,
for five years now, trying to accom-
called an indication that Israel's
the attention of Lebanon's leaders
plish something," said Fouad Fares,
campaign had strayed far beyond its
turned tonight toward diplomacy,
a Christian businessman. "And now
declared targets.
with President Elias Harawi, Prime
in the last six days, it's as if every-
Israel has defended the three pow-
Minister al-Hariri and the parlia-
thing has broken down."
er-plant raids, two on. Monday and
mentary Speaker Nabih Berri, meet-
As Israeli attacks continued to
one on Sunday, as a tit-for-tat re-
ing jointly with the French Foreign
rain down on Hezbollah strongholds
sponse to Hezbollah's Katyusha
Minister, Hervé de Charette.
across south Lebanon and in Beirut's
rocket attacks against similar tar-
Earlier, Richard Jones, the United
southern suburbs, Lebanese officials
gets in northern Israel. But in a
States Ambassador to Lebanon, pre-
accused Israel of trying to exploit
capital that managed to restore
sented Faris Bouez, the Lebanese
sectarian divisions by unloosing the
round-the-clock electric power only
Foreign Minister, with a copy of a
huge exodus from the south's heav-
last year, the Lebanese officials de-
new American proposal to end the
ily Shiite Muslim areas northward
nounced the attacks as part of a
fighting. But as refugces like Ju-
toward Beirut.
campaign to undermine the coun-
mana Aoub, a mother of two tod-
In Beirut today, where refugees
try's economy and scare away for-
dlers, made their waynorth, the pow-
were encamped in homes and
eign investors.
er of emotions they expressed made
mosques as well as in most schools,
"When they hear that 350,000 or
it difficult to imagine what such a
there were signs that relief workers
400,000 refugees are coming to Bei-
settlement might look like.
were near the point of being over-
rut, do you think they will be encour-
Outside a dark, drafty mosque in
whelmed. George Harrouk, the di-
rector of the Lebanese Red Cross,
Beirut where 400 refugees shared a
warned of "a crisis situation."
few hundred loaves of bread, 150
But neither the Lebanese:Govern-
mattresses and one toilet, Mrs. Aoub
ment nor the public showed any sign
said she had been among the last to
of turning against Hezbollah, whose
leave her village Monday night and
cross-border rocket attacks are said
had spent Tuesday vainly seeking
by Israel to have provoked its heavy
refuge along the coastline.
counterstrike. At least 31 people
"Everywhere we went, they said:
have been killed and more than 150
'We have no more room. We have no.
wounded since the Israeli attacks
more food. Move on, go north,' said
began on April 11.
Mrs. Aoub, who added that her hus-
"The battle is not against Hezbol-
band had remained in the south to
lah; it is against Lebanon," said Elle
fight with Hezbollah. "We risked our
Firzli, the deputy speaker of Leba-
lives to escape and I spent all our
non's Parliament. "And I am not
money paying for cars to bring us
Hezbollah. I am a Christian."
here. I should have stayed with my
The Lebanese Government has
husband. I will go where God sends
said it has no intention of reining in
me. Where can God send me?"
At a school in Beirut's southern
Continued on Page A6, Column 1
suburbs, the refugee center was run
by Hezbollah, which in addition to its
military role functions as the coun-
try's best-organized charity, and
there were extra blankets and mat-
THE NEW YORK TIMES
tresses for all.
"Hezbollah brings us everything
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1996
we need," said one woman, Zana
Mousalmani. "They care for us and
fight for us. We are ready to. stay
here until they get rid of the Israe-
lis."
Another woman, Samir Said, had
given birth to a báby girl only a few
days before, helped by a Hezbollah
doctor. In tribute to the rocket that is
the militants' favorite weapon, she
named the child Katvusha
Page 3
1ST STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright 1995 Information Access Company, a Thomson Corporation
Company
ASAP
Copyright 1995 Ward's Communications Inc.
Ward's Auto World
June, 1995
SECTION: Vol. 31 ; No. 6 ; Pg. 21; ISSN: 0043-0315
LENGTH: 3553 words
HEADLINE: State of the union; the UAW's Yokich: a tough guy for tough times;
United Auto Workers President Stephen P. Yokich; includes related articles on
Yokich's tough guy image, his union roots, and the influence of former UAW
leader Walter Reuther
BYLINE: Lowell, Jon
BODY:
Comedian Dick Gregory once told a story that during the 1960s civil rights
movement in the South he "sat in" for weeks at a lunch counter demanding to be
served. When they finally relented, he discovered that the food was terrible.
Incoming United Auto Workers union President Stephen P. Yokich, 59, should
be forgiven if similar thoughts pass through his mind when, as expected, he
succeeds Owen Bieber this month at the UAW Convention in Anaheim, CA, after
years of waiting in the wings.
It has been a long road for both men. Industry observers say that 12 years
ago, in a hotly contested election for president, Mr. Yokich dropped his pursuit
of the top spot and threw his support behind Mr. Biebe allowing the outgoing
president to win by a "landslide" of two votes. Mr. Yokich, by all accounts,
became heir apparent.
During May the two men were all smiles as they hosted a breakfast for
reporters at what could only be called a farewell for Mr. Bieber and a mini
coronation for Mr. Yokich. Naturally, they spared no adjectives in praising each
other.
Rarely since World War II has organized labor in general and the UAW in
particular found itself in a less-hospitable climate.
Some examples:
* Active membership (see chart p. 22) has fallen from a 1970 high of 1.61
million members to 826,236 last year. The percentage of retirees among total
membership has more than tripled from 11.7% in 1970 to 37.27% in 1994.
* With aerospace and defense cutbacks, that part of the UAW's membership has
been badly crunched. UAW membership at the McDonnell-Douglas Corp. in
California, for example, has been slashed from 21,000 a few years ago to just
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Ward's Auto World, June, 1995
8,000.
*
Foreign-owned automotive plants want nothing to do with the UAW and so far
have successfully kept the union out. Germany's BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz AG
'are the latest to set up non-union assembly plants. U.S.-based operations of
Japan's Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. Ltd. and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
collectively are building millions of cars and trucks in North America, none
carrying the union's label. * Scores of auto suppliers have closed union
facilities and replaced them with non-union operations. One estimate is 400,000
union supplier jobs have switched to non-union status in the last decade.
*
The U.S. political climate has shifted sharply to the right, leaving
organized labor with waning influence even in the Democratic party it calls
home.
*
Traditional union employers such as Caterpillar Inc. are showing
increasing willingness to take bitter strikes and hire replacement workers.
Cat's workers have been on strike for nearly a year, with no signs of an
imminent settlement. Regarding Cat, Mr. Bieber says he feels like former
President Jimmy Carter, who failed to win release of U.S. hostages in Iran only
to see them set free just as Ronald Reagan moved into the White House. He'd like
a settlement before he retires at noon on June 15. * Falling foreign trade
barriers make it easier to source both parts and entire vehicles outside the
U.S.
These are tough times requiring a tough leader, and by most measures Mr.
Yokich fits the bill. Experts say the incoming UAW president is left with three
basic choices, the least glamorous of which is a long, expensive, tedious effort
to reunionize the supplier industry. It is there, they say, where the change has
been most dramatic and the union case for representation perhaps strongest.
Unlike the transplant assembly plants, where wages are near UAW rates,
there's a huge gap between Big Three supplier wage rates and those paid at the
non-union shops. But it will take, according to most experts, decentralization
of the UAW's sometimes cumbersome organizing apparatus, and a union-wide
commitment not apparent in recent years. That's not likely to happen. Mr. Yokich
promises to stay the course. And while vowing to continue the UAW's effort to
organize the Japanese transplants, Mr. Yokich hasn't publicly indicated that he
plans to restructure the UAW's organizing department.
Both Mr. Bieber and Mr. Yokich say organizing foreign-owned, non-union
automotive operations in the U.S. is a top priority. But it isn't easy. They
liken the effort to the UAW's early forays to organize the Big Three. The
numbers bear them out. They've yet to organize a wholly owned and operated
Japanese transplant. And according to Mr. Yokich, though he says it proudly, the
UAW has organized a mere handful of U.S.-based, Japanese suppliers. Unless the
UAW can organize non-union suppliers, foreign-owned and domestic alike,
thousands more UAW jobs could be lost.
"It's absolutely critical," says Sean McAlinden, an auto economist and labor
expert at the University of Michigan's Office for the Study of Automotive
Transportation, of a supplier-organizing effort. "Currently 80,000 jobs at
(GM's) Delphi (components group) are at risk. Entire divisions like Inland
Fisher depend on some kind of aggressive organizing of the (non-union)
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Ward's Auto World, June, 1995
competition. That's just union economics, and they know it."
Mr. McAlinden says automakers themselves might agree to somewhat higher
costs from newly unionized plants if they could be located more closely to
existing assembly operations and contribute more efficiently to modem
'manufacturing methods.
But that would put the two-tier wage system for parts workers on the table
during contract negotiations with the Big Three in 1996. "It's an open secret in
Detroit that Mr. John Battenberg (president of Delphi) would like a separate
contract from the UAW in 1996," says Mr. McAlinden. "It's another open secret
the UAW would love to avoid that."
The more obvious and higher-profile policy, if Mr. Yokich decided to launch
his presidency by swinging for the fences, would be another no-holds-barred
attempt to organize one of the transplants. The likely target, if Mr. Yokich
chooses this option, is not the Japanese but the Germans.
Mr. Bieber has had extensive meetings with German union officials, and ties
reportedly are strengthening between the UAW and its European colleagues. By
law, unions are heavily represented on the management boards of German
companies. And that's the route the UAW is apparently exploring: an
authorization vote at BMW's and/or Mercedes' U.S.-based assembly plants, not at
the urging of American workers on the plant floor but by pressure applied in
German board rooms.
The remaining course of action left to Mr. Yokich, say insiders, is to
essentially do nothing. With an average age approaching 50 and annual incomes
and benefits the envy of many of their college-educated juniors, an extended
trip to the strike barricades may not generate much enthusiasm. "All the current
membership really wants is a steady income and no forced relocations until they
retire," notes one expert.
But the betting is Mr. Yokich will be more outspoken and aggressive. Of his
predecessor and political ally, Mr. Yokich says Mr. Bieber is a quiet, mental
giant and admits that his style is different. Mr. Yokich says there have been
times when Mr. Bieber gently admonished him to tone it down. "If it had of been
me, I would have reached out and grabbed me by the throat," he quips.
Without that calming hand, intemperate outbursts are likely. Union insiders
whisper about Mr. Yokich's short temper and long memory for perceived slights.
Although occasionally profane and less traditionally articulate than
predecessors like former presidents Leonard Woodcock and Douglas Fraser, no one
questions Mr. Yokich's intelligence nor his passion.
And his political skills may be unmatched in recent UAW history. At a time
when huge gains were impossible at companies like Ford and GM, he successfully
convinced the membership that he got what was possible at the bargaining table.
It was Mr. Yokich, as the lead negotiator at GM talks in 1990, who persuaded the
giant automaker to guarantee workers' pay.
Contrary to his hardball image, Mr. Yokich and Peter J. Pestillo, Ford's
savvy executive vice president-corporate relations, managed to forge innovative
agreements in the '80s that kept Ford workers happy while allowing the No.2
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Ward's Auto World, June, 1995
automaker to make dramatic changes in plant operations. "A union that can't
change as society changes can't survive," he told reporters.
"Can he lead the UAW? Absolutely," Mr. Pestillo tells WAW. "But he needs to
be a bit more forthcoming; he needs to develop a national persona." Translation:
He now must switch from the rough and tumble of day-to-day union business to
'the role of labor statesman and spokesman.
The quickest way to do that is to develop warmer relationships with the
press, historically the object of his contempt and sometimes hostility. During
the breakfast last month at the UAW's Solidarity House headquarters, only three
reporters sat at Mr. Yokich's table early on while Mr. Bieber's table quickly
filled up. The five empty chairs at Mr. Yokich's table eventually filled, but
they should have been the hottest seats in the room. They weren't.
During the press conference, however, Mr. Yokich repeatedly showed a lighter
side -- a softer edge than portrayed by his image and reputation.
Mr. Yokich seems to work best in the background. At GM, where there has been
a series of expensive local strikes (see WAW May '95, p.40), company sources
describe the working relationship as "healthy" and Mr. Yokich as realistic about
the problems facing the company. The relationship improved significantly when
President John F. (Jack) Smith Jr. began talking personally to Mr. Yokich, who
would rather deal with decision-makers. But one GM insider is still scratching
his head over 1993 bargaining when almost within hours Mr. Yokich congratulated
the giant automaker for adopting a more progressive attitude during the talks
and then, within earshot of reporters, angrily denounced company bargainers for
the way they were handling local-contract disputes.
That incident may be an excellent example of Mr. Yokich's formidable
political skills. Early in his career he reached out from the virtually
all-white skilled trades wing of the union to make alliances with black union
leaders. He authorized strikes at GM locals headed by dissidents, allowing them
to settle disputes that might have boiled up at the convention.
G. Richard Wagoner Jr., president of GM North American Operations, describes
restructuring the company's relationship with the UAW as "the most socially
complex task we face." The man almost certain to be given day-to-day
responsibility for that relationship has been both aide and ally to Mr. Bieber
and Mr. Yokich: Richard Shoemaker, executive administrative assistant to the
president, who's expected to be elected a UAW vice president and head of the GM
Dept., replacing Mr. Yokich.
It's no secret that Mr. Yokich has no love for the unique contract the UAW
and Gm's Saturn Corp. subsidiary agreed to in the mid-80s. "It's not where I'd
like to see it be," he says. "It's an experiment; there are a lot of good things
at Saturn." There'll soon be more: Mr. Yokich reportedly engineered a deal with
GM recently to assemble a larger, Opel-based Saturn model starting in 1999 at
its Wilmington, DE, plant where Chevrolet Corsica/Beretta are now built.
Unless things change, GM will continue to be allowed some technical
violations of the current contract that requires the company to hire one worker
for every two that retire or quit. It appears to be a case of mutual interest.
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Ward's Auto World, June, 1995
With more UAW workers than Ford and Chrysler combined (225,000 active At GM,
175,000 at the other two), a healthy GM is in the UAW's interest.
Mr. Yokich dismisses gossip that his lifestyle tastes may not be in tune
with the squeaky-clean image built up by a long line of UAW presidents. His
official biography lists golf and boating as hobbies, and he's known to spend
time on the lush golf courses in and around Palm Springs, CA, and in Scotland
with Mr. Pestillo.
Friends note he hasn't been accused of anything officials at other top
unions don't do without criticism. However, the Department of Labor is
investigating allegations that he steered GM eye-care contracts to his friends
and received kickbacks in return.
Mr. Yokich pooh-poohs the probe. "I don't get (health care) contracts, the
corporation does that," he says. "This has been going on for 2 1/2 years. They
wanted to look at some records. We turned them over, and we've heard nothing
from them since."
One of the first clues students of the UAW are watching for is who gets
promoted. Will Mr. Yokich begin developing younger, less-traditional leadership
or will the sometimes criticized UAW bureaucracy simply shuffle up the ladder?
With Mr. Shoemaker in line to succeed him at GM, Mr. Yokich seems intent on
tradition for now. Roy Wyse is expected to succeed Bill Casstevens as
secretary-treasurer. Mr. Wyse, a 33-year veteran, is director of Region 5 and
seems a perfect fit. He's more a finance guy than a politician, so it's unlikely
he'll cause any ripples in the politically calm seas.
Eligible for six years as head of the union, Mr. Yokich likely will be the
last of the "old line" of UAW leaders that began with Walter Reuther.
"Management has gotten more sophisticated, but the UAW has not caught up," says
one Big Three student of the union.
His time at the top will cover a period of profound change in his
organization's membership. And through appointments, patronage and political
support, Mr. Yokich will have a direct hand in the next generation of
leadership. Thus, he'll have a major impact on the UAW's long-term future.
That may include a merger with another union, some UAW watchers suggest, and
possibly reunification with the Canadian Auto Workers. After a rancorous fight
with Mr. Bieber, the Canadians led by feisty Bob White :- seceded from the
UAW in 1985. Mr. White later left the CAW and is now retired. With Mr. Bieber
departing, there may be reasons to eye rapprochement.
Mr. Yokich says that's possible, but it could involve more than just the two
unions. He alludes to forming a "North American metal workers federation"
patterned after Europe's International Metal Workers Federation (IMF), which
represents workers in many industries and many countries.
The UAW also "will continue to seek partners" where that may make sense, he
says. The list includes the Teamsters, which recently rejoined the AFL/CIO, but
Mr. Yokich is vague about specifics.
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Ward's Auto World, June, 1995
Among his most pressing challenges is the giant change that's coming in his
membership demographics. The Big Three will hire an estimated 200,000 new
workers in the next nine years to replace retirees, all of them the products of
careful screening. They are expected to be better-educated, more technically
skilled, more diverse, and largely devoid of memories of the early struggles of
the union movement.
Some think they may not, however, be as anti-union as corporate executives
might like. A source familiar with research done on the more than 10,000 hourly
workers hired by the Big Three in the past year says that although most may
'not be budding union activists, they rank unions above corporations as
worthwhile institutions. That may give Steve Yokich the kind of clout he needs
to insure a viable future for the UAW in the 21st Century.
RELATED ARTICLE: Yokich downplays tough guy image
Beyond a brief lecture to the press to be more positive, incoming United
Auto Workers President Stephen P. Yokich downplays his tough guy image at a
mid-May breakfast press conference with his predecessor, Owen Bieber.
Careful to avoid any comments that might be perceived as critical of Mr.
Beiber, Mr. Yokich uses the gathering to stress continuity rather than change.
Organizing efforts will continue at the transplant complexes, the union will
stand by its social and political agenda, and Big Three bargaining next year
will focus on traditional issues such as health care, job security and
outsourcing of work now done internally at the Big Three, he says.
Both union leaders hint that more progress toward unionizing German and
Japanese transplants is being made than the press is aware of, but they decline
to set timetables for organizing efforts.
"There is a time when you bring some of these things out in the open and
there's a time when you continue to work quietly," observes Mr. Bieber. "We
continue to work quietly."
Mr. Bieber says he intends to slip quietly into the background after his
12-year run as the union's leader, devoting the first year of his retirement to
his western Michigan lakeside cottage. But he also promises to "help, any way I
can" in the 1996 general election, which he predicts will bring a second term
for Bill Clinton.
But Mr. Yokich will have more than the normal amount of experienced advice
to call on if need be. The UAW will have an unprecedented three living
ex-presidents: Mr. Bieber, Douglas Fraser and Leonard Woodcock.
RELATED ARTICLE: Yokich's union roots run deep
You don't have to look hard for the union label on Steve Yokich. Both his
parents were union activists and his grandparents were union members as well. At
59, Mr. Yokich is a blue-blood of organized labor.
Though he lacks the urbane polish of former UAW presidents Leonard Woodcock
and Douglas Fraser and the rhetorical fire of the late Walter Reuther, Mr.
Yokich makes up for it with nuts and bolts seasoning. "He has a more varied
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Ward's Auto World, June, 1995
background and experience than anybody who ever assumed the presidency including
Walter, Leonard, Owen (Bieber) or myself," says former UAW President Fraser.
Born in Detroit, Mr. Yokich started as a tool and the apprentice but quickly
became active in UAW Local 155 in Detroit, which represented a rough and tumble
group of tool and the shops. He rose to vice president of the local.
Mr. Reuther appointed Mr. Yokich to the Detroit-based Region 1 staff in
1969. That put him squarely in the middle of a number of bitter strikes, notably
the 26-city struggle between the UAW and the Square D. Co., an electric
components supplier, in the early 1970s.
In 1977, he was elected director of the region. Three years later Mr. Yokich
was elected a vice president of the international union and given responsibility
for difficult negotiations with "ag imp" companies such as John Deere and
Caterpillar.
Mr. Yokich became an odds-on favorite to head the UAW when he dropped his
bid to become national president and supported Mr. Bieber who, after winning the
presidency, appointed Mr. Yokich director of the Ford Dept. in 1983. After
leading national contract negotiations at Ford and setting the pattern in 1987,
Mr. Yokich was given the plum assignment of heading the GM Dept. in 1989,
considered by many to be the second most powerful post in the UAW.
He got the job despite serving from 1983 to 1989 as head of national
organizing. The hard reality was there was no realistic way, amid massive plant
closings, to stanch declining membership. He did succeed in expanding
non-traditional UAW membership, including signing up 22,000 employees of the
State of Michigan. And now he stands ready to assume the post he brazenly told
his mother he would get almost 30 years ago: president of the United Auto
Workers union.
RELATED ARTICLE: Ruether's influence still felt at UAW
Fewer than 40 people gathered on the Wayne State University campus in
midtown Detroit on May 9 to memorialize a legend in the U.S. labor movement: The
late United Auto Workers union leader, Walter Reuther. It was an odd collection
that included a federal appellate judge, former Michigan Gov. George Romney, and
aging political and union officials.
Mr. Reuther and his wife, May, were killed May, 9, 1970, in a Northern
Michigan plane crash while en route to the union's education and training
retreat at Black Lake. But to this day Walter Reuther remains, if not a
presence, a titanic reminder of the stature and influence organized labor once
had both in the U.S. and around the world.
His influence on the union and those who have followed him to the top job is
barely diminished even now, and it's a legacy Steve Yokich should have no
trouble assimilating.
"Walter more than any other individual forged the ideals, principles and
philosophy of the UAW," says former UAW President Douglas Fraser, long one of
Mr. Reuther's top aides. Mr. Reuther was a true visionary. He plunged the
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Ward's Auto World, June, 1995
UAW to a dizzying variety of issues well before they had become mainstream
causes. Civil rights, world peace, the environment, the treatment of Mexican
immigrants, health care reform, government support of the arts had become the
union's social tenets. At the bargaining table, Mr. Reuther turned his concepts
of a guaranteed annual wage, profit sharing, cost-of-living increases, job
security and fully paid hospitalization into reality.
In corporate eyes, he became capitalism's "Public Enemy No. 1 " and in the
establishment's view he was deemed a dangerous social tinkerer. Mr. Reuther
survived a never-solved assassination attempt in 1948. He could be longwinded
and maddeningly self-righteous but he was also widely respected. Wayne State
named a school for him, and Interstate 696 coursing through the northern Detroit
suburbs bears his name.
'GRAPHIC: Photograph; Cartoon; Graph
SIC: 8631 Labor organizations ; 3710 Motor Vehicles and Equipment
IAC-NUMBER: IAC 17070550
IAC-CLASS: Trade & Industry
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: November 03, 1995