What is the FTAA?
What is the FTAA?
The latest international trade agreement is called the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Based on NAFTA, the FTAA is currently being negotiated by the US and over 30 other western hemisphere countries, from Canada to Chile. As usual, the negotiations are being held in secret, but reports indicate it contains no labor and environmental provisions, and in fact, encourages business practices that ignore such standards. The AFL-CIO has resolved to fight for “enforceable workers’ rights and environmental protections in the core of all new trade and investment agreements. . . including the Free Trade Area of the Americas,” and to “vigorously oppose any agreements that fall short of this standard.”
So get ready for. . . . .
Co-sponsored by the Vancouver & District Labour Council, CLC and the Whatcom County Labor Council, AFL-CIO – There will be music and other entertainment starting at 10am and lasting until 4pm. All are welcome to come and bring your families!
For more information, contact Jeff Engles, IBU - ILWU, at 206-284-5040 ext.27.
Look for more details soon at http://www.wslc.org. Make plans for your local union to send as many people possible to this important rally. We ned to keep the heat on, and make it clear that American and Canadian working people demand enforceable labor and environmental standards in international trade agreements.
