Trump and union leaders find shaky common ground: 'He’s promised that he’s going to create good jobs'

pulse

March 1, 2017 5:26 PM

Trump is attempting to cement his support among organized labor and union leaders — virtually all of whom endorsed Clinton — are cautiously on board.

President Donald Trump meets with union leaders at the White House

Candice Johnson, a veteran spokesperson for the Communications Workers of America, did not know who Andrew Puzder was when she received a notification that President Donald Trump had nominated him to be the nation's next labor secretary.

But it did not take long before she began formulating the union's critical response to the fast food restaurant CEO and mobilizing its membership against him.

Trump has since done an about-face on his labor pick, selecting Alexander Acosta, an uncontroversial former assistant attorney general, as Puzder's replacement. Unions have expressed their relief, and, in some cases, are embracing Acosta.

The move was in line with Trump's recent efforts to cement his popularity among union members, a traditionally Democratic constituency from whom he earned more support in the general election than any Republican since President Ronald Reagan 1984.

Trump's gains among blue collar workers can be attributed in large part to his unorthodox positions on trade and infrastructure spending and his commitment to repealing regulations some argue hinder economic growth.

Through a combination of outreach from the White House and pressure from union members who support the president, some union leaders are cautiously warming to the prospect of working with Trump.

Better trade agreements or corporate giveaways?

A much-awaited infrastructure plan

The president reiterated this priority during his speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, calling for a $1 trillion investment in "a

avoid a trillion-dollar stimulus."

"The more it’s just a tax credit, the fewer jobs will be created," Eisenbrey said.

"It’s a lower priority than tax reform, it’s a lower priority than ACA reform and it seems unlikely to me that we would get all three of those done," Strain said.

Walter said it is up to the American public to hold Trump to his word.

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