DOT on Labor Day: creating jobs, celebrating work

On this Labor Day holiday weekend I want to let readers know how proud DOT is to have helped create jobs--directly and indirectly-- across America.

Work is a critical part of how Americans see and value themselves. Many of us derive dignity from being of use and pride from the products and services we provide. So, the Recovery Act is not just about generating economic activity. It's also about restoring dignity and pride to the nation's workers.

Listen, for example, to two different workers talking about their jobs and their colleagues...

Interviewer #1: What do you like most about your job?

Keith Miller: Just the sight of seeing something come out of the ground. All it is is a piece of paper when it's handed to me, and then when we get done, you've got a fairly large structure coming out of the ground that's working the way it was supposed to be.

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Interviewer #2: What's it like out there right now?

Brandon Nesler: I know 40 or so equipment operators personally that have been displaced by the economic downturn. We need these projects to roll because they just want to put on their boots, grab a lunch-pail, and get to work. 

Putting people back to work is important for many reasons. That's why the ripple effects of our Recovery Act spending--creating even more jobs for each dollar--are so important.

Our friends at New Hampshire's Pike Industries know first-hand how stimulus spending spreads through the economy. A recent video shows the benefits of their ARRA work being shared by many--from Pike employees to sub-contractors, from suppliers to those whose business benefit from tourists who can now travel on smooth, safe, and scenic New Hampshire roads:

This Labor Day, as signs of the Administration's efforts to rebuild the economy pepper our roadways, I am proud of the DOT and its role in job-creation. For generating economic recovery, yes. But also for helping restore America in other important ways.

Comments

[Michael E. Bailey]

Labor Day this year had signs of hope that it didn't have last year. The DOT has done a tremendous amount of good for the country with the ARRA. In Orange County, the unemployment finally looks like it may stabalize soon. It was up this time but just .3 of a %. OCTA will be laying off bus drivers and mechanics when the schedule changes on September 13. But another thing that really is good news is going on at the Port of Los Angeles. Old, polluting diesel trucks moved much of the cargo containers. But last year, the Port started an experiment using none polluting electric powered yard trucks. The experiment worked and now in addition to the yard trucks, the port is increasing the fleet to include on-road vehicles. The new trucks are heavy duty all electric powered, can pull a 60,000 pound cargo container at 40 miles an hour up to 60 miles on a battery charge. The port has ordered 25 of these trucks as its first mainstream operations order and part of the deal was that the truck manufacturer would set up the manufacturing plant in the City of Los Angeles. The new plant has hired its first group of 50 employees. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.