We Must Ensure U.S. Semiconductor Jobs Are Actually Good

The pitch from the Biden-Harris administration for the CHIPS and Science Act was tempting. Not only would the historic investment of up to $175 billion bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the U.S., but it would also create good, high-paying jobs along the way.

Two years after the bill’s signing, the first half of that promise seems to be coming true, as the Department of Commerce has reached preliminary agreements with 16 companies to ramp up domestic production of the minuscule computer chips that make everything from smartphones to military radars click.

The second half of the promise? It’s a mixed bag, according to findings I have laid out in a new report.

Our report recommends that the Commerce Department institute strict transparency requirements about the chemicals used in chips production, ensure that companies are not infringing on the rights of workers to organize collectively and collaborate with the Labor Department to guarantee that wages and benefits are held to a high standard.

We also suggest that the Department of Commerce bar any companies receiving federal CHIPS funding from buying back their own stock.

By setting strong standards now, the Biden-Harris administration can improve the semiconductor industry and make good on its promise to create good-quality jobs for Americans.

Read Chris’s full op-ed on The Hill