AFL-CIO President John Sweeney Statement on New Fuel Economy Standards

May 19, 2009 -- "Today’s agreement on nationwide fuel economy standards is a major step forward and a victory for America’s workers, consumers and the environment. The agreement lays the groundwork for building a new generation of cleaner and more fuel efficient vehicles that will be manufactured here in the United States.

President Obama showed tremendous leadership by bringing together workers, the automakers, environmental groups, the federal government and the state of California. The plan shows that protecting our environment and creating good paying jobs can go hand in hand and America’s workers are proud to do their part towards achieving this deal.

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We are also pleased that the agreement will help protect workers through the inclusion of: standards that treat full-line manufacturers fairly, maintaining a distinction between cars and light trucks, applying to all automakers, continuing credits for flex-fuel vehicles and continuing incentives for small-car production here in the United States — a capability that is vital to protecting jobs and our nation's long-term energy security."

Source: AFL-CIO