Have you ever been browsing the aisles of the grocery store hoping to remember all those union-made products the AFL-CIO Now blog wrote about? Or maybe you’re at the toy store trying to find that perfect gift that’s made in America? Union Plus has a simple solution if you left your shopping list at home.

On your mobile device:

• Text CARS to 22555 for union-made vehicles.
• Text BEER to 22555 for union-made beer.
• Text PETS to 22555 for union-made pet products.
• Text CANDY to 22555 for union-made candy.
• Text TOYS to 22555 for union-made toys.

Labor Day means thanking a special worker for all he or she does (after all, that barbecue didn't make it itself.

It also means get-togethers with lots of hot dogs, beer and treats for the pets.

We updated our popular Made in America July 4 shopping list for the long Labor Day weekend.

Speaking of thanking workers: Thanks to members and staff at Union Plus, the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM), the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor's LA Labor 411's website and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) for your great work in creating union-made, American-made products and services (many of which are featured inside).

Here are some highlights:

Following recent public outcry that the ceremonial uniforms U.S. athletes wear at the Olympics are made in China, clothes designer Ralph Lauren announced that beginning in 2014, athletes’ uniforms will be Made in America after all. They will not change the uniforms this year, but the public’s strong support for Buy America won the day for the future.

Good thing Mitt Romney wasn’t making the decision. He told ABC News on Friday, just before Lauren made his announcement, that it really didn’t matter where the uniforms are made. When asked whether workers in the United States should make the unforms, here’s what Romney said:

Back by popular demand, our Made in America cookout list is now available to share as an image on  Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  You can also print it out for your next grocery store trip. Download it here.

If there was ever a time to push Made in America products, the 2012 Summer Olympics is certainly it. However, according to an ABC News report, Team U.S.A. will be wearing Ralph Lauren uniforms Made in China when they compete in London this summer.

Made with pride.

Made to last.

All-American and All-American made.

The U.S. flag.

On July 4, we salute the women and men at this New Jersey factory (video) who create our star-spangled banners, our military troops who ensure our flag is still flying and all America's workers who toil to build this country with pride.

Survey after survey shows the public wants corporations to stop sending jobs overseas and hopes the federal government takes action to get jobs back to this country, as demonstrated in a recent compilation of polling data by Ruy Teixeira at the Center for American Progress Action Fund.

Ninety percent said keeping jobs in America was either one of the most effective steps (59 percent) or a very effective step (31 percent) that
the government could take to improve the economy. The 2011 Pew Mobility survey also showed the “Keep jobs in America” option was ranked first out of 16 possible steps the government could take to make sure people don’t fall behind economically.

USA

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve highlighted American products, jobs and stories for our Made in America series, and we asked for your thoughts. Earlier in June, we rounded up what you told us are your favorite USA-made goods, here. This time around, there have been lots of great comments supporting Buy American, and a few questions.

USA

This week leading up to July 4 we're highlighting American products, jobs and stories for our Made in America series. What are your favorite Made in America products? Please comment and share your ideas.

American-made products aren’t only for people—pets deserve the best we can give them as well. Better yet are U.S.-made and union made products—like the brand-name products made by members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers (BCTGM).

USA

This week, leading up to July 4, we're highlighting American products, jobs and stories for our Made in America series. What are your favorite Made in America products? Please comment and share your ideas.

What better way to spend July 4 than barbecuing and hosting a cookout that’s actually Made in America? We’ve made it easy for you this year by compiling a holiday shopping list from Union Plus, the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM), the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor's LA Labor 411's website and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) for all your union-made products. Here are some highlights: