For That Difficult Worker on Your Christmas List

Wives ask the same question every year; what do you want for Christmas? The refrain is just as predictable, “I don’t know.” Eventually the tool chest fills up and with it the list of gift ideas shrinks.

The Carhartt Made in the USA line features some of our most legendary products. These rugged styles are stitched on American soil for any person that believes in hard work.

Here is a gift idea for the working woman or man on your list that will always be appreciated; Carhartt clothing and accessories. This legendary brand is not only the tops for quality and durability, it is UNION MADE right here in the USA.

The money that working women and men make and spend accounts for 70% of the economic activity in America. The way we spend our money can make a huge difference in the lives of working families. Tax breaks for the rich will never turn them into so-called "job creators." The only thing that creates jobs is increased sales. The way to put more Americans back to work is for those of us with jobs to spend our money on goods and services that put our brothers and sisters back to work. BUY UNION, BUY LOCAL, BUY AMERICAN.

Whether you are getting that special someone a coats, work pants, and socks for both men and women the Made in America line are produced by United Food and Commercial Workers Union - UFCW members in two plants in Tennessee and Kentucky.

These cloths look really good, feel great and wear like iron. My Carhartt jacket has seen years of hard work in the woods clearing brush, plowing snow and fixing the darnedest things you can think of. It has protected me from flying branches, fire, and of course the cold or Wisconsin winters. If you want to make that someone special really happy on Christmas Day, give them a gift of Made in the USA work clothing from Carhartt.

Where Do Jobs Come From?

Perhaps you remember reporters fanning out across the nation interviewing small business owners two years ago. The occasion was passage of tax credits for hiring unemployed workers. Every businessperson interviewed said the same thing. Tax breaks are nice but they won’t make any difference when it comes to hiring more people.

Every employer gave the same answer when asked what will motivate them to hire. The answer is more sales. More sales is the only metric number one metric business considers when it comes to hiring. It only makes sense. Increased sales tells business it needs more capacity; more parts, more equipment and more people.

Tax breaks for the wealthy goes to the bottom line – increases profits. It does not, however, tell owners they need more people. Reducing regulation reduces costs, which in turn increases profits. Again, it does nothing to increase the demand for labor. Only increased sales can do that.

So, what will increase sales? Two thirds of American GDP comes from consumer spending. That fact suggests the best way to put people back to work. The answer begins with you and me.

BUY UNION, BUY LOCAL, BUY AMERICAN. This is the one thing that you have control over and it is the most important long term solution to our current economic mess. Look at the money you spend every month. Are you consciously looking for the Made In the USA sticker on that tool you buy at the hardware store? Good for you. Are you spending a large proportion of your discretionary on electronic gadgets, cheap foreign cloths and Wal-mart junk that will turn up next spring on your garage sale table? It is time to make better choices.

Check out Label Letter, the newsletter of the AFL-CIO Union Label Department. Here you will find great information about how to buy union. With the weather getting colder, there are fewer farmers markets but some larger cities continue them inside during the winter. Contact your local building trades council before hiring that remodeling contractor to make sure you they are union and hire union subcontractors.

Here is one last suggestion. With the holidays coming, why not send Union Made greeting cards? Homestead Cards, based in Portland, Oregon has a union workforce represented by Teamsters Graphic Communications Conference Local 747M. Brighten up somebody’s holiday with a greeting card that provides dignity and a living wage.

Drink Up Brothers and Sisters

This weekend Wisconsin will be celebrating great sports across the state. Whether you are cheering for the Badgers, Brewers or Packers, you are likely to be lifting a glass of wine sometime this weekend. You choice at the checkout counter makes a difference in the lives of working people.

Enjoy your weekend while shopping UNION LABEL. Here is a list of great UFW vintages available at you local wine shop.

PARTY UNION!

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Columbia Crest

Saddle Mountain

Farron Ridge

North Star

Snoqualmie

St. Supery

Dollarhide Ranch

Scheid Vineyards Inc.

Balletto

Charles Krug

C.K. Mondavi

C.R. Cellars

Gallo of Sonoma

Gallo Estate

Rancho Zabaco

Anapamu

Marcelina

Indigo Hills

Turning Leaf