Fast Track paves the way for new trade deals like the TPP that would slash jobs, and cut environmental and consumer protections
Newburgh – A coalition of labor organizations, advocacy groups and congressional leaders joined together to oppose Fast Track legislation for the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
The TPP is currently being pushed by big corporations and negotiated in secret between the United States and 11 other countries – Australia, Brunei, Canada, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam which make up 40 percent of the world economy.
It is called Fast Track for a reason. It rams trade deals through Congress in a behind-closed-doors and undemocratic process. It is a process that doesn’t allow our representatives to amend trade deals, no matter how problematic some provisions may be.
“We can’t repeat past mistakes by blindly rubber-stamping secret negotiations – folks from Hudson Valley can’t afford another failed trade agreement that would ship more jobs overseas and hurt our environment. Increased trade can be good for everyone, but I won’t support any agreement until someone can show me how this strengthens our middle class and creates jobs here in the Hudson Valley,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, who is opposed to Fast Track legislation.
Trade policies adopted under Fast Track have already resulted in one million American jobs lost and 60 thousand factories closed. The rushed deals have jeopardized the safety of our food and overturned environmental protections.
“This trade agreement is not about opening up markets and free trade so that American works or small businesses will benefit; there are no consumer, labor, environmental, or public interest advocates at the negotiating table. The public, state legislatures and press have still not been allowed to see the text of this agreement. But job-offshoring corporations, global banks, and pharmaceutical giants, have over 600 people working as ‘trade advisors’ have full access to the TPP text” said Dan Kozak, member of CWA.
“Fast Track is a one-way ticket down a dangerous road. Fast Tracking “Free Trade” agreements does not allow adequate public scrutiny of trade deals while they are being negotiated, and permits only a simple up-or-down vote, no discussion no debate. What type of Democracy is that? Furthermore, Fast Track ensures that trade policies are made by and for multinational corporations and the wealthy, making income distribution even more unequal. We know this because the only people currently working on the Fast Track deal is corporate lawyers. Our working families, communities, and children deserve better,” said Paul Ellis-Graham, President of Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO.
“Passing the TPP could result in millions of lost jobs and set our country’s labor, environmental and economic protection laws back by decades,” said Kat Fisher, Lead Organizer for Citizen Action of New York. “We can’t allow the CEOs behind this deal to get away without a public debate. We need good jobs that boost the economy from the ground up, not a top-secret so-called “trade” deal that threatens our communities and the lives of working people across the globe.” – Kat Fisher, Lead Organizer Citizen Action of NY, Hudson Valley
“Together we must band together and reject the TPP fast track. We can’t allow the fundamental principal of democracy to be skirted. We the people, elect Representatives to vote and debate on the issues of the day and Fast Tracking Legislation will remove any oversight or discussion onlegislation. This cannot be allowed, especially on legislation that will have such a tremendous negative impact on the U.S. Economy and the middle class” said Phil Leber, Regional Representative for Working Families Party.
We need a trade policy that strengthens labor and human rights, protects us from unsafe imports, and promotes the export of goods instead of jobs.
The coalition asked the public to contact their Representatives today to ask them to #StopFastTrack, by texting TPP to 877877 or by calling their Representative toll free at 888-706-4535.
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