2004 Convention Resolutions
Resolution No. 41
PENNSYLVANIA JOBS AND TRADE
WHEREAS, America has lost 2.3 million good jobs during the current Federal Administration. Pennsylvania has lost 140,000 jobs during the last three years and 30,900 manufacturing jobs last year alone; and
Trade policies are driving the national trade deficit over $500 billion dollars (a historic high), devastating our manufacturing capacity, destroying our best jobs in every economic sector, threatening our economic future and putting our national security at risk; and
While those impacted by these jobs, enterprises, and trade crisis see and feel the emergency nature of what is happening, our elected leaders continue to cling to a destructive belief in one-sided open markets and free trade without reciprocal agreements from our trading partners; and
It is now evident that trade policies are destroying all job sectors of our economy including the outsourcing of our best technical and professional capacity, impacting our immigration policies, eroding traditional employer-paid health care benefits, and knocking the pillars out from under our communities; and
Trade policies are misusing our tax dollars by providing incentives to companies to relocate their work and facilities to other countries and encouraging government at all levels to outsource publicly financed goods and services; and
American trade policies have not materially improved the lives of the people in nations who are the beneficiaries of this transfer of jobs and wealth and has not resulted in the creation of domestic markets in those nations or growth in their economies; and
The Governor and Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can and must become an outspoken voice at the federal level on job and fair trade policies and can take specific stop-gap actions at the state level to buy time for Pennsylvania’s workers and enterprises; and
Polls show that the elected leadership is out of step with the desires of the American public on trade policies and grass-roots organizations are forming around fair trade policy issues all over our nation; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and its affiliates support the following:
America must impose a moratorium on all new Trade Agreements, including CAFTA and fix or revoke all current damaging trade arrangements.
America must reform H-1b & L-1 Visa Programs to stop off-shoring of White Collar Jobs
America must end government incentives that outsource American jobs
America must insist on Buy American Programs in Government Procurement practices.
America must review Government Economic Reports for accuracy
America must enforce existing protective trade statutes quickly and effectively
America must apply Fair Trade Standards to all existing and future Trade Agreements
America must not allow Trade Agreements to interfere with our domestic laws and procedures
America must balance our trade accounts with other nations
America must insist on global currency equity
America must protect it’s core manufacturing, technology, and intellectual assets
America must insist that the lack of Labor rights, human rights, and environmental responsibilities do not provide a hidden subsidy for nations that trade with America
America must insist on reciprocity regarding barriers and subsidies.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT:
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO will continue to work in coalition with other organizations, associations, and coalitions that are promoting fair trade policies;
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO will support Representative Mike Veon’s Next Generation Manufacturing Initiative proposal;
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO will establish a Fair Trade Task Force that will be responsible for pursuing the intent of this resolution and making regular reports to the Executive Board of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO on it’s progress;
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO investigate and determine the trade policy position of any Presidential or Congressional Candidate being considered for endorsement and make such information available to the endorsing body prior to any endorsement vote;
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO will use its influence and determination to encourage Pennsylvania’s Governor and Legislature to proactively lobby our federal representatives and the Federal Administration to reshape our national trade policies.
Submitted by:
USWA LOCAL 1688
Referred to: Union Label Committee
Committee Action:
Convention Action:
The 2006 Convention
Planning is now underway for the 2006 Convention