Cites weak American economic recovery, wrong policy direction for workers

The United Steelworkers (USW) today released a letter sent to every member of Congress urging they vigorously oppose the free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia because economic facts show the deals will “undermine our economic recovery, further decimate American manufacturing and jobs, and deepen the economic insecurity.”

USW President Leo W. Gerard wrote, “International trade and the consequences of accelerated globalization are matters of long-standing and deep concern to the USW, as an overwhelming portion of our members work in import-sensitive manufacturing sectors and all too often have lost their jobs due to bad trade deals and unfair and predatory trade practices.”

The detailed five-page letter signed by Gerard outlined the flaws for American workers in each of the proposed three FTAs. He said: “Promises made by administrations past and present touting the benefits of free trade have simply not materialized for America’s manufacturing workers ... more