Interviews
AAFA submits jobs plan to White House
12 Sep '11
5 min read
Our strategy calls for reductions in barriers to two-way trade and broad openings of global markets in a way that recognizes and embraces our 21st century business model. In order for our industry to grow, we must be able to reach customers that live outside our borders. While the United States accounts for one-quarter of the world's apparel and footwear sales at retail, we represent just five percent of the world's population. Getting unfettered access to 95 percent of the world is critical to our continued success.
Restart the Trade Agenda
This includes finally passing pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, along with the successful conclusion to the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations and swift action on the Affordable Footwear Act (H.R.2697/S. 1069), the Save Our Industries Act (H.R. 2387/S. 1244) and the U.S. Optimal Use of Trade to Develop Outerwear and Outdoor Recreation Act (US OUTDOOR Act, H.R. 2071/S. 704).
Consumer Product Safety Reform
AAFA's job creation strategy also includes the elimination of burdensome or unnecessary regulations that strangle productivity, prohibit efficiency, and unfairly penalize some sectors of our industry. With the passage of the Consumer Safety Product Safety Improvement Act of 2007 (CPSIA), the product safety profile of our industry has been raised. At the same time, regulations under the CPSIA have caused considerable economic damage, especially to small businesses, as companies have had to understand and implement costly and redundant regulations. Moreover, a number of these regulations and requirements have done little to improve the safety of products being offered in the marketplace.
Ensure Smart Tax Reform
Keeping Americans employed by competitive U.S. apparel and footwear companies requires that any tax reforms be mounted in a careful and smart manner. Calls to close specific “tax loopholes” may sound appealing but if not done as part of a comprehensive review of taxes, it can lead to unintended consequences, including the laying off of workers.
Industry Job Outlook
Jobs in the U.S. apparel and footwear industry are well-paying jobs. In a survey conducted earlier this year by AAFA and industry staffing agency 24 Seven, Inc., the median salary for the U.S. apparel and footwear industry – from designers to sales floor representatives and everyone in between – was found to be about $70,000 per year. Even in the face of the recession, this salary figure is up 7.7 percent since 2009. In addition, the education level of the industry continues to climb, job satisfaction remains steady, and the employment outlook is optimistic.
“Now is the time to harness the optimistic employment outlook for our industry and seek ways to grow our employment numbers,” said Burke. “Whether it is a manufacturing job or a supply chain job, every job is important, and we need to be working toward that end.”
Restart the Trade Agenda
This includes finally passing pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, along with the successful conclusion to the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations and swift action on the Affordable Footwear Act (H.R.2697/S. 1069), the Save Our Industries Act (H.R. 2387/S. 1244) and the U.S. Optimal Use of Trade to Develop Outerwear and Outdoor Recreation Act (US OUTDOOR Act, H.R. 2071/S. 704).
Consumer Product Safety Reform
AAFA's job creation strategy also includes the elimination of burdensome or unnecessary regulations that strangle productivity, prohibit efficiency, and unfairly penalize some sectors of our industry. With the passage of the Consumer Safety Product Safety Improvement Act of 2007 (CPSIA), the product safety profile of our industry has been raised. At the same time, regulations under the CPSIA have caused considerable economic damage, especially to small businesses, as companies have had to understand and implement costly and redundant regulations. Moreover, a number of these regulations and requirements have done little to improve the safety of products being offered in the marketplace.
Ensure Smart Tax Reform
Keeping Americans employed by competitive U.S. apparel and footwear companies requires that any tax reforms be mounted in a careful and smart manner. Calls to close specific “tax loopholes” may sound appealing but if not done as part of a comprehensive review of taxes, it can lead to unintended consequences, including the laying off of workers.
Industry Job Outlook
Jobs in the U.S. apparel and footwear industry are well-paying jobs. In a survey conducted earlier this year by AAFA and industry staffing agency 24 Seven, Inc., the median salary for the U.S. apparel and footwear industry – from designers to sales floor representatives and everyone in between – was found to be about $70,000 per year. Even in the face of the recession, this salary figure is up 7.7 percent since 2009. In addition, the education level of the industry continues to climb, job satisfaction remains steady, and the employment outlook is optimistic.
“Now is the time to harness the optimistic employment outlook for our industry and seek ways to grow our employment numbers,” said Burke. “Whether it is a manufacturing job or a supply chain job, every job is important, and we need to be working toward that end.”
American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
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