October, 04 2011, 09:53am EDT
AFL-CIO Runs Ads Opposing Korea, Panama and Colombia Trade Agreements
Trade deals based on flawed models would destroy jobs
WASHINGTON
Standing up for working families who have seen their jobs shipped overseas, the AFL-CIO launched ads today calling on Congress to oppose flawed trade deals with Korea, Colombia and Panama. The ads coincide with a fly-in lobby day which brings hundreds of workers to DC to call for a new trade model which benefits working families.
The ad says, "25 million Americans are still searching for full-time jobs. Yet Congress is considering three new trade agreements built on the flawed models of the past that make CEOs richer and ship our jobs away... tell your members of Congress to stop these dangerous trade deals and start putting Americans back to work."
According to the Economic Policy Institute, the Korea trade deal would destroy 159,000 US jobs. Colombia continues to be the most dangerous place in the world for trade unionists where 51 trade unionists were assassinated last year and 22 so far this year. And Panama, which routinely tramples workers' rights, is a known haven for tax dodgers and money launderers.
The AFL-CIO is launching a nationwide jobs campaign that calls for direct investment in infrastructure and aid to state and local governments and underserved communities to create good jobs. The federation will urge Congress to focus on these measures rather than trade deals which would do nothing to create good jobs.
The ads were placed in The Hill, Roll Call and Politico newspapers.
To view the full ad visit: https://bit.ly/pbORXz
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) works tirelessly to improve the lives of working people. We are the democratic, voluntary federation of 56 national and international labor unions that represent 12.5 million working men and women.
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