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We oppose corporate and government trade policies that systematically
destroy jobs, communities and the environment by engaging us all in a
global "race to the bottom."
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Statement
of the UE-GE
Conference Board on the
Free Trade Area of the Americas
The following statement was adopted three days before
the Quebec summit meeting during which heads of state from throughout the
Americas approved a framework for creating the Free Trade Area of the
Americas.
The UE-GE Conference Board stands in solidarity with
working people all over the world who have joined the struggle against
corporate and government trade policies that are systematically destroying
our jobs, our communities, and the environment. This week we watch as tens
of thousands of ordinary people converge on the Summit of the Americas in
Quebec City, Quebec, to expose and denounce the work of trade ministers
and heads of state who are planning the next stage of the globalization
attack on working people.
The business and political leaders meeting behind closed
doors in Quebec are constructing the so-called "Free Trade Area of
the Americas" (FTAA). The ultimate goal of the FTAA is increase
corporate profits by further reducing the wages and living standards of
working people throughout our hemisphere. This will be accomplished as
corporations – such as the General Electric Company – utilize deals
like FTAA to downsize and move production to those countries where labor
costs and working conditions are at the lowest possible levels.
It's time for completely new trade policies that put
people and the environment before the greed of politicians and big
business. Nothing less will do.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT
THE UE-GE CONFERENCE BOARD:
-
Demands that the U.S. Congress oppose the corrupt and
anti-workers FTAA;
-
Demands that the U.S. Congress oppose the undemocratic
"Fast Track" mechanism;
-
Stands in full support of those trade unions,
students, farmers, and other working people demonstrating against the
Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, Quebec.
Adopted April 18, 2001 (unanimously)
Erie, Pennsylvania
(Note: the UE-GE Conference Board consists of
delegates from UE Local unions which represent UE members employed by
the General Electric Company.)
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