Reject Free Trade Deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama

More than 30 USW activists yesterday joined President Leo W. Gerard in calling on lawmakers to vote for legislation targeting China's currency instead of passing free-trade agreements. The delegation had meetings or made visits at more than 150 offices.

The USW argued that the proposed free-trade pacts would cause more unemployment while the China currency bill now being considered in the Senate would promote fairer competition and jobs.
 
President Gerard called for Republican leaders in the House to allow a vote on the bill, which would punish China for keeping its currency undervalued. The bill now has 225 co-sponsors in the House.

"Let's have Democrats stand up, let's have Republicans stand up for fair trade," Gerard said.