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Labor Is Mobilizing Across Borders
APRIL 6, 2001 -- Opposition to the proposed Free Trade Area of the
Americas (FTAA) is deepening within the labor movement, both within
the US and throughout the Western Hemisphere.
As FTAA negotiators met in Buenos Aires this week to iron out the
details of their plan, Argentine police patrolled a barricaded
perimeter to keep out labor union groups concerned about the impacts
the proposed agreement. More than 100 organizations from Argentina
and other Latin American countries participated in large nonviolent
protests during the planning session.
Hugo Moyano, director of the so-called "rebel" wing of the General
Labor Confederation, one of Argentina's largest umbrella union
groups, told reporters the FTAA agreement would make the Argentine
people "slaves of the United States." Under the plan, he added,
"We're going to be more exploited than a dignified country should be,
that's what we're fighting."
In the US, Congressman Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) will outline his
concerns and those of US labor during a panel discussion at the
Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier on Saturday, April 7. Sanders has
been a congressional leader in the opposition to corporate-led
globalization and free trade deals.
The panel discussion is part of a statewide anti-FTAA campaign being
coordinated by the Vermont Mobilization for Global Justice, a
coalition that will provide regional support for large protests
expected in Quebec City, the tightly-guarded summit site.
"Since the FTAA is being negotiated behind closed doors it's
difficult for people to learn much about it," explained Vermont
Workers' Center Executive Director James Haslam. " This forum will
give the public a terrific opportunity to learn more about the FTAA,
something that is sure to have a huge impact on everyone's lives."
Sponsors of the Vermont event include the state's AFL-CIO, United
Electrical Workers, Vermont Workers' Center, and Vermont Progressive
Party. Sanders will be joined by Prof. Elaine Bernard, director of
Harvard University's Trade Union Program, AFL-CIO trade expert Thea
Lee, Andre Marcoux from the Center for International Workers
Solidarity, and Claire Lalande, Director of the Centrale de syndicats
du Québec, a group of federations representing over 250 Quebec local
unions.
During the trade talks in Canada, heads-of-state throughout the
Western Hemisphere will push for implementation of the agreement by
2005. Known as "NAFTA on Steroids," the FTAA would be the farthest
reaching trade agreement in history. Objecting to the secrecy
surrounding the text, unions, environmentalists, community
organizations and activists are demanding a public debate. The plan
is expected to skirt labor and environmental linkages, the issue that
led to side deals to NAFTA.
Speaking for the Ontario Federation of Labor, vice-president Irene
Harris says, "We are very concerned about the process of deregulation
of labor markets, the growth of sweatshops, wholesale privatization
of social services and downsizing of social security provisions that
are inherent in the FTAA. That's why many local and national
organizations are joining in the campaign to stop the FTAA race to
the bottom."
Even though the FTAA is one of President George W. Bush's top
priorities, opposition is coming from so many directions that it may
never be adopted. Critics range from sugar growers and other farmers
to environmentalists and trade unions, including the AFL-CIO and
steelworkers. Even Latin American banks and financial services
companies are concerned. If investment barriers are removed, they
fear being overwhelmed by US companies such as Citigroup and Chase
Manhattan.
Major rifts are also emerging among potential free trade partners,
including Brazil. "Without trade-promotion authority, negotiations on
market access cannot go forward, I'm sure of that," said Jose Alfredo
Graca Lima, Brazil's vice minister of foreign economic relations,
speaking on the first day of meetings in Buenos Aires. But winning
fast track authority could be difficult for Bush. Democrats are
largely opposed, unless Republicans agree to address environmental
protection and preserving labor rights.
-30-
to Stop the FTAA
By Orin Langelle
Vermont Mobilization for Global Justice
P.O. Box 604
Burlington, VT 05402
(802)862-4737
(802)862-6948 Fax
Email: vmob@riseup.net
www.vermontactionnetwork.org
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