Manufacturers Call for Change in Response to George Floyd Protests
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Sign up hereManufacturing leaders across the country are responding to the nationwide protests spurred by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“We absolutely stand hand in hand with all those who seek respect, fairness and the right to equality of opportunity that America has promised for centuries and that, even now, has not been delivered to all her citizens,” NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said in a statement.
Together, we stand against injustice and strive for unity and equality.
Read a message from our CEO at https://t.co/Aa7lc3zbQD. pic.twitter.com/zKBPfuMou0
— Trane Technologies (@Trane_Tech) June 1, 2020
Our CEO Ken Frazier calls for unity on @CNBC: https://t.co/jrxmaWVO5y pic.twitter.com/GHqrU5FmvP
— Merck (@Merck) June 2, 2020
Building a better future means joining together as we move forward. We are donating to @100blackmen as a part of the effort to end systemic racism and bring true equality to all. This is just a first step. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/QqwYseKjAS
— Coca-Cola (@CocaCola) June 3, 2020
Manufacturers across industries and regions are joining in the call for justice—and demanding respect and equality for all people.
Over the last few months, which were arguably some of the toughest in our company’s 120+ year history, I’ve seen #TeamDow ‘find a way’ to join together and help overcome great challenges.
Our response to issues of racism, inequities and injustice should be no different.
— Jim Fitterling (@JimFitterling) May 31, 2020
In our country, our community, and our company, we have work to do – together. One conversation at a time. One action at a time.
Here’s what CEO David Taylor shared with the P&G Family: https://t.co/FXWF0B2qEs pic.twitter.com/BG5O8OQQHX
— Procter & Gamble (@ProcterGamble) June 1, 2020
In an email shared with all bp employees, our CEO Bernard Looney addressed racial injustice & reinforced bp’s commitment to being a diverse, inclusive & respectful workplace
— bp (@bp_plc) June 1, 2020
Companies are also making financial commitments to support inclusivity efforts, as well as supporting businesses that were damaged or looted during the unrest.
Standing on the sidelines is not an option. Today we are pledging $1 million in support of efforts to address social injustice and anti-racism. #blacklivesmatter https://t.co/wCGNIkkdVU
— Intel (@intel) June 1, 2020
At J&J, we believe racism in any form is unacceptable. Black Lives Matter.
Johnson & Johnson is committing $10 million to fight racism & injustice in America—a pledge that will span the next three years. Learn more from Alex Gorsky, Chairman & CEO, #JNJ: https://t.co/7Ur6bXRe8u pic.twitter.com/Rd8HzAllAD
— Johnson & Johnson (@JNJNews) June 2, 2020
UnitedHealth Group said it would donate $10 million to help businesses in the Twin Cities rebuild and create an educational trust fund for Floyd’s children.
Our hearts are heavy with the tragic death of George Floyd. We’re doing our part to help create a more equitable society by establishing an educational trust for his children, donating $10M to help Twin Cities businesses rebuild and advance equity & inclusivity efforts.
— UnitedHealth Group (@UnitedHealthGrp) June 2, 2020
“This is not a time to sit back and wait for action from others,” Timmons said. “The manufacturing community, and the larger business community—made up of people from every background, every race, every state and every neighborhood in the country—has a responsibility that is as urgent now as at any time when our nation seemed on the edge of destruction. We must be part of the solution—to end the polarization and division that routinely manifests in our country.”
Related
Manufacturers Unveil Competitiveness Agenda Ahead of Midterm Elections
“Competing to Win” offers a path for bringing the country together around policies, shared values and a unified purpose
Washington, D.C. – Ahead of the midterm elections, the National Association of Manufacturers released its policy roadmap, “Competing to Win,” a comprehensive blueprint featuring immediate solutions for bolstering manufacturers’ competitiveness. It is also a roadmap for policymakers on the laws and regulations needed to strengthen the manufacturing industry in the months and years ahead.
With the country facing rising prices, snarled supply chains and geopolitical turmoil, manufacturers are outlining an actionable competitiveness agenda that Americans across the political spectrum can support. “Competing to Win” includes the policies manufacturers in America will need in place to continue driving the country forward.
“‘Competing to Win’ offers a path for bringing our country together around policies, shared values and a unified purpose,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “The NAM is putting forward a plan filled with ideas that policymakers could pursue immediately, including solutions to urgent problems, such as energy security, immigration reform, supply chain disruptions, the ongoing workforce shortage and more. Manufacturers have shown incredible resilience through difficult times, employing more workers now than before the pandemic, but continued resilience is not guaranteed without the policies that are critical to the state of manufacturing in America.”
The NAM and its members will leverage “Competing to Win” to shape policy debates ahead of the midterm elections, in the remainder of the 117th Congress and at the start of the 118th Congress—including in direct engagement with lawmakers, for grassroots activity, across traditional and digital media and through events in key states and districts as we did following the initial rollout of the roadmap in 2016.
The document focuses on 12 areas of action, and all policies are rooted in the values that have made America exceptional and keep manufacturing strong: free enterprise, competitiveness, individual liberty and equal opportunity.
Learn more about how manufacturers are leading and about the industry’s competitiveness agenda at nam.org/competing-to-win.
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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.77 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 58% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org
