PITTSBURGH, May 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- United Steelworkers (USW) International President
Leo W. Gerard released the following
statement today after the U.S. Senate voted to limit debate on fast
track trade negotiating authority, then approved the final measure
by a vote of 62 to 37.
"Senators who voted to stifle debate and approve fast track so
quickly have undermined rights of working Americans. With less than
one full day of debate, and refusing to consider hundreds of
important amendments, the Senate essentially took a big step to
provide this and future presidents with the authority to negotiate
trade agreements any way they choose. In addition, Congress
abdicated its responsibility to fully engage in the
process.
"Republicans in so many areas have criticized the President but,
when it comes to trade, the majority of them are beholden to
corporate backers who are salivating at the prospect of increased
profits at the expense of workers here in America and around the
globe.
"Trade deals like NAFTA have constricted economic growth,
contributing to stagnating and declining wages, while fueling
offshoring and outsourcing of production. All of this contributes
to our country's rising income inequality. But, rather than fully
debate those issues and provide effective measures to reform and
update our trade policies, the Republican-led Senate shoved fast
track through the Senate.
"Unfortunately, a handful of Democrats joined with Republicans
in this effort. The majority of their Democratic colleagues voted
on behalf of U.S. workers. Those who voted for cloture and for
final passage fully share the blame.
"The approach taken by the Senate will damage U.S. production
and jobs. No one voting for fast track should laud this bill. More
than 150 objectives were included in fast track, but the
administration has already said that they do not intend to pursue
all of them. Senators who voted yes may try and take cover behind
the lofty rhetoric, but the substance gives them nowhere to hide.
Workers want good jobs and wages, not more false promises.
"This is a sad day. Americans expected their Senate to have a
full debate about what our future trade policies should look like.
What they got instead was an abbreviated debate designed to stifle
dissent and discussion. Senators voting for cloture and for passage
made it clear that they believe the status quo is good enough. The
facts prove otherwise, and, at election time, voters will remember
who was on their side and who voted to sell them out."
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed among industries that
include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, plus the
service and public sectors. For more information:
http://www.usw.org
CONTACTS:
Gary
Hubbard, 202-256-8125, ghubbard@usw.org
Roy Houseman, 202-288-3573,
rhouseman@usw.org
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SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)