Foster Fights for American Jobs While Oberweis Invests Millions in Chinese Companies That Take Jobs Away From USA
Based in Montgomery Since 1901, Lyon Metals Has Lost 300 Jobs to China Since 2004
(Geneva, IL) –Democratic Congressional candidate Bill Foster said today at a press conference outside of Lyon Metals in Montgomery that he will fight for a change in US trade policies, while Republican Jim Oberweis will stand up for George Bush’s trade deals with China that have cost Americans good-paying jobs.
“Illinois needs a Congressman who will fight to change the economic policies that are costing us jobs, not someone who will rubber stamp every one of George Bush’s trade deals,” Foster said. “The choice couldn’t be clearer. As a business owner with my brother, I said ‘no’ to off-shoring and created jobs here in the Midwest. Jim Oberweis has invested millions of dollars in Chinese companies that take jobs away from American workers at companies like Lyon Metals.
“In Congress, I’ll fight to change trade policies so they’re good for American workers. Jim Oberweis will fight for George Bush and his big corporate interests.”
Lyon Metals, also known as Lyon Workspace Products, had been making lockers for schools and gyms in Montgomery since 1901. Free trade policies like those supported by Jim Oberweis allowed Chinese companies to flood the US with cheap products that were direct knock-offs of Lyon products. By the end of 2004, Lyon decided it was moving its manufacturing to China, costing Montgomery 300 good-paying jobs. Lyon will completely shutter the Montgomery facility—now a distribution center—by next year.
Oberweis China Opportunities Fund Invests in Companies Which Threaten American Jobs. The Oberweis China Opportunities Fund, a mutual fund operated by his business, invests in Chinese companies that compete against American jobs. [Oberweisfunds.com; Reuters; Yahoo Finance]
Oberweis Supports Bush Trade Policies Costing us Jobs. In an interview on Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, Oberweis said he supported Bush trade policies like NAFTA and CAFTA. From the interview: Berkowitz: “More or less free trade?” Oberweis: “More.” Berkowitz: “Would you have supported NAFTA if you were there in 1994?” Oberweis: “Yes.” Berkowitz: “And CAFTA a few years ago?” Oberweis: “Yes.” Berkowitz: “And you would have no regrets about that?” Oberweis: “No.” [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8dMNoWGFus]
-NAFTA Led to the Outsourcing of Nearly 48,000 Illinois Jobs. According to the AFL-CIO, the outsourcing agreement NAFTA led to the outsourcing of 47,701 jobs in Illinois. [AFL-CIO website, accessed 01/23/08]