DEAR EDITOR: There are efforts by the free-traders on Capitol Hill to put a new name with an old game. They are attempting to fool the public by changing the name of “Fast Track” legislation to the Trade Promotional Authority (TPA). They want fast-track negotiating authority for the President so it will be easier to extend NAFTA-lie agreements to the entire Western Hemisphere and beyond. Fast-track would allow the President to negotiate any kind of trade agreement with another country without any input from Congress. Congress would not even be allowed to change it in any way, but would have to vote it up or down on a very tight timetable. There are many examples of why there should not be fast-track legislation. It is clear that there is a need for protection for workers in any trade deal. More than 700,000 jobs have been destroyed since NAFTA took effect seven years ago. During that same period, wages in the U.S., Mexico and Canada have dropped. As long as corporations can continue to exploit workers around the world and constantly push the race to the bottom with regards to the rights of workers, the rich will continue to get richer and the poor will continue to get poorer. Free-traders contend we should open up all of the markets where American goods can be sold. How can three billion people who live on less than $2 a day ever purchase the products we make? I remember when they promised NAFTA would raise everyone’s standard of living and create jobs in this country. The reality is that it has cost more than 600,000 jobs since it was enacted. We don’t need any more NAFTA-like, anti-worker trade agreements that cost us jobs and cut wages in this country. We should urge our congressional members to say no to fast-track in the form of the Trade Promotional Authority and not give fast-track negotiating authority to the President. We don’t need any more NAFTA’s!

Sam Thomas Jr. USWA Local 5702 president Gramercy