A consortium comprised of steel companies and union members has ramped up efforts to get its message about manufacturing job losses to voters in time for the November elections.

The Washington-based organization Stand Up for Steel launched the second phase of its "Help Wanted" campaign Tuesday in newspapers and media outlets across Indiana and eight other states, said the organization's spokesperson Tracy Sefl. Targeting states with a heavy manufacturing base, the campaign seeks to spur voters to think about the industry's condition.

While this year isn't special as far as elections go, it is heavily laden with issues, such as employment and steel dumping, said Terry Straub, senior vice president for United States Steel Corp. out of Washington.

"We want to draw attention to the loss of jobs in manufacturing and steel," Straub said. "We're asking voters to call candidates to give a full accounting of these losses."

The organization wants voters to persuade candidates to support trade laws, saying several countries have dubious practices.

"Many countries are unfairly dumping steel into the United States, or at least bringing it in through government-subsidized companies. China, India and Brazil are the top countries with egregious support from their governments," Straub said.

A press release accompanying the print ad states that Indiana has lost more than 77,000 manufacturing jobs over the last five years. Furthermore, the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the United States has exported 44,900 manufacturing jobs every month since 2000, totaling 2.8 million jobs in all.

"Voters need to call their representatives, regardless of what party, and make them accountable," Straub said.