Turnover plaguing manufacturing group

WASHINGTON, April 10 (UPI) -- A high turnover rate has cut the effectiveness of a manufacturing lobby group in Washington, former employees and other observers said.

Former Michigan Gov. John Engler took the reigns at the National Association of Manufacturers in October 2004. Since then, 46 percent of its staff have left, The Politico reported.

A new hierarchical style of management and intolerance for diverse opinions have sent employees shopping for other jobs, the paper reported.

In spite of the internal issues, 90 percent of the group's membership believe the National Association of Manufacturers is effective and 92 percent rated Engler favorably in a December survey, the paper said.

"Under John Engler's leadership, the NAM is positioning itself for the future," Executive Vice President Jay Timmons said.

Other lobbyists and former employees questioned the clout of a group that is losing what a former staff member called its "institutional memory."

Legislators have mixed feelings about the group.

"They are a tool of the administration," a senior Democratic House aide told the paper.

But John Gonzalez, chief of staff to Rep. Melissa L. Bean, D-Ill, credited the group with explaining why the Central American Free Trade Agreement would benefit the congresswoman's constituents, the report said.