Congressman Mark Kirk is strongly defending his vote last Friday in favor of the "cap and trade" carbon tax, even as conservative leaders and the head of one of the state's leading business groups vows retaliation. Americans for Limited Government, a Virginia-based watchdog, said it "condemns" Mr. Kirk and predicted that cap and trade will just force up prices "at a time when the American people are just struggling to make ends meet." Greg Baise, president & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, was just as pointed, and said the vote will recoil on Mr. Kirk if he runs for the U.S. Senate or governor in 2010. "Groups like ours will now make sure we actively oppose him," said a steaming Mr. Baise, suggesting that Mr. Kirk had cut some sort of political deal with the White House. "Kirk isn't the only moderate Republican congressman in the Midwest," but all the other moderates voted no, Mr. Baise said. If enacted by the Senate, "(t)his bill is a death knell for Midwest manufacturing."
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The Illinois Manufacturers' Association is among state business associations leading the fight against the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), legislation pending in Congress. The EFCA is the worst potential change in labor law in nearly a century. After spending $250 million to elect like-minded legislators, powerful union bosses now believe that they have a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to help reverse declining union membership. To learn more follow this link.
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Manufacturing remains a vital part of the Illinois economy and the need for high skilled workers continues. Experts say some 30,000 new manufacturing workers will be needed each year for the next ten years to replace the retiring baby-boomer generation. "Despite the current recession, we are facing a 'pipeline' crisis," says Ron Bullock, Chairman of the Illinois Manufacturers Association Board of Directors.
In response to this challenge, the IMA concluded an agreement on January 26, 2009 with the nationally recognized Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC). This agreement gives the IMA exclusive rights to distribute and take the lead in marketing the MSSC Certification System in Illinois. This agreement builds on a September 2008 IMA Board resolution that encourages its 4,000 members to take MSSC certificates into account in their recruitment and hiring processes.
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