Posts Tagged: TPP

This week, the U.S. House and Senate will both begin considering “Fast Track” legislation to expedite passage of a bad trade deal called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). “Fast Track” has been used in the past to push through some of the nation’s worst trade agreements. It is a wholly undemocratic process that would prevent Congress from considering any pro-worker amendments to a pending trade agreement. For too long, trade policies have padded the profits of big corporations while driving down wages and standards for American workers. The TPP is more of the same.

The TPP trade deal has been put together in secret. Hundreds of corporate lawyers and other special interest groups have been advising the U.S. Trade Representative, but the voices of hard-working families have been left out.

Fast tracking the TPP will rush America into more trade agreements that fail working families. It is imperative for UFCW members to stand up and speak out against “Fast Track” legislation and the TPP to their Members of Congress.

The communications materials below provide several ways your local union and your members can speak our against “Fast Track” and the TPP.

TPP Fast Track Comms Packet for UFCW Locals

TPP Fast Track Talking Points for Locals

TPP No Flyer

House Targets April 2015

April 18 National Action on TPP Event List

U.S. trade policy has often padded the profits of big corporations while driving down wages and standards for American workers. The latest trade agreement to be considered, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), would put downward pressure on wages, leave consumers with less to spend, destroy jobs, and exacerbate income inequality. That is why the UFCW and the broader labor movement are united in opposition to the TPP.

During TPP negotiations, the entire progressive community—from labor unions, to environmental groups, to civil rights organizations, to consumer advocates—has been denied a seat at the table. Meanwhile, 600 corporate lawyers are advising the U.S. Trade Representative. No one can reasonably expect a fair trade agreement to emerge from this process.

Proponents of the TPP are pushing to give President Obama fast track authority which would prevent Congress from considering any pro-worker amendments. This legislative tool has been used in the past to push through some of our nation’s worst trade agreements.

UFCW lobbying efforts are focusing specifically on fast track. If fast track dies, the TPP dies with it.

Congress should pursue an agenda to raise wages, strengthen workers’ rights, create more opportunity, and combat income inequality.  The TPP would do exactly the opposite.

For tools to help defeat this bad deal, visit www.stopthetpp.org.