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IBEW Helps U.S.-Based Telecom Manufacturer

September 23, 2010

The trade union movement’s fight for economic patriotism—opposing outsourcing and supporting jobs for North Americans—is spreading. A case in point is recent lobbying by the IBEW and CWA in support of using U.S.-made parts in federal stimulus projects aimed at extending broadband infrastructure to underserved regions.

A September contract awarded to Infinera, a manufacturer of broadband equipment, with 700 workers in the U.S. and 200 overseas, will put Americans to work making parts for the expansion of broadband service. Says IBEW Telecommunications Department Director Martha Pultar:

The Obama administration made the right decision awarding this contract to a domestic producer .

IBEW Telecomunications Department staffers had addressed concerns about using outsourced parts on broadband stimulus projects to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Obama administration’s main advisor on telecommunications policy and to White House economic policy advisors.  Says Pultar:

Our union’s lobbying efforts to win federal support for manufacturing jobs here at home never begin by asking if a manufacturer is organized or unorganized.

 Infinera is currently unorganized, but, says Pultar:

Just like in the auto industry, every job that stays in North America strengthens the U.S. and Canadian economies and provides the opportunity for workers to prosper and win a voice on the job when they are ready.

Prior to the contract award, Infinera, strongly opposed moves by competing corporations to secure a waiver under a section of the federal stimulus package that would allow them to supply outsourced parts to stimulus-funded broadband projects, thus setting aside Buy America recommendations passed by Congress.

In a June letter to the NTIA, Infinera outlined its success in building optical networks that have been deployed in the U.S. and exported worldwide.  The company also described its success in producing fiber-optic switching equipment here at home.

Infinera further argued that telecommunications projects funded by federal stimulus money should require that research and development be conducted in the U.S. The letter said:

The telecommunications manufacturing industry is at a crossroads.  While jobs continue to be lost, innovative companies such as Infinera are creating next generation technology here in the U.S…We believe that the right policies can help this growth significantly.

Photo used under a Creative Commons License from Flickr user jcolman.