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Union plans to Ask House Speaker to Postpone Full House Vote
October 10, 2001 (Washington, D.C.) – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters today criticized a House committee’s decision October 9 to advance controversial “fast-track” trade negotiating authority to a full House vote.
A divided House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday, October 9 approved a revived fast-track bill (H.R. 3005), paving the way for full House action, which could occur this week.
The Teamsters Union opposes giving the president fast-track trade negotiating authority. Fast-track is supported strongly by multinational corporations searching the globe for cheap labor and for lowered standards for workers’ rights, public health, consumer protection and the environment. The current bill does not enforce workers’ rights or environmental standards in trade agreements.
“Fast-track will put American working families on track to lose even more jobs,” said James P. Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “In the aftermath of September 11, free trade zealots are attempting to tie the passage of fast-track to our war on terrorism. What is needed is national solidarity, not legislation to further harm American workers.”
Trade agreements like the FTAA and NAFTA contain no worker or environmental protections. These agreements have also surrendered American sovereignty to ‘backroom bureaucrats’ who ignore American laws in the face of corporate gain. Since 1994, more than 750,000 U.S. jobs have been lost in a race to the bottom for cheap wages.
The Teamsters Union will send a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, calling upon him to announce that this divisive issue will not be voted on during the first session of the 107th Congress.
“The partisan wrangling that occurred at the Ways and Means Committee yesterday should not be repeated on the House floor,” Hoffa said. |
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