Kagen Demands we Ship our Values Overseas – not our Jobs

KAGEN DEMANDS WE SHIP OUR VALUES OVERSEAS - NOT OUR JOBS

Congressman Steve Kagen visited Niagara today along with Governor Jim Doyle to meet with Mayor Joseph Stern and soon to be unemployed NewPage papermakers. Kagen expressed his deep disappointment with the announced closure of the former Stora Enso paper plant and the loss of 319 higher wage jobs.

"Niagara is paying the price for our nation's unbalanced and unfair trade agreements," said Kagen. "These failed trade deals threaten to bankrupt hard working families in Niagara and families all across America. When will the President realize that no one and no corporation, not even skilled papermakers, can compete against slave-like labor in Communist China?"
Kagen vowed to continue working in Congress against unbalanced trade policies that allow our manufacturing jobs to be shipped overseas, and to help working families restore confidence in themselves and their beautiful Niagara community.

"Niagara was hit with an economic earthquake Tuesday with the announcement that all of the 319 jobs at the paper mill are gone," said Kagen. "The real reason people are losing their jobs in Niagara and all across America are the NAFTA-like trade policies which have failed to deliver the prosperity promised by professional politicians."
Kagen pledged to work with federal agencies to make sure all available resources are provided. That includes the extension of unemployment benefits for up to two years through the Department of Labor's Trade Adjustment Assistance program and potential funds from the National Emergency Grant program for worker retraining and job placement services.
"These papermaking jobs put food on the table and helped pay the mortgages for the hard working families in Niagara," said Kagen. "The good people of Niagara need our support - and they need help now, not next year."

Pointing to unfair trade policies and predatory pricing by Asian corporations, Kagen explained the need to not only assist residents of Niagara, but to address the root causes of our nation's economic recession.
Kagen called on the Bush administration negotiate an end to the predatory pricing by Asian paper making corporations, which have been targeting our own industries for extinction.

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