In Colombia, just 100,000 workers out of 20 million have bargaining rights. 85% of working Colombians are misclassified as contractors and “cooperativos.” These millions of workers don’t have bargaining rights and also are denied health care benefits and retirement security because they don’t have “employee status.”
The proposed free trade agreement calls for both the United States and Colombia to adopt the five fundamental rights outlined by the International Labor Organization, which include the right to form and join a union and the right to collective bargaining. The U.S. Congress has not adopted these conventions and is unlikely to do so now. And even if the Colombian government approved these fundamental rights, the proposed agreement has no real enforcement provisions. Read more »
How you can help defeat the Colombia Trade Agreement:
CALL
Pick up the phone and dial the CWA Activist Hotline to get connected to your Member of Congress directly. Click here to call (script provided).
WRITE
Handwritten letters are powerful. Handwrite a letter to your Member of Congress if you really want to make a difference. Click here for a template.
Sending an email to a Member of Congress with your thoughts on a position is also important. Click here to email your Senators and Member of Congress.
Tools for LPATs
Here is a list of tools for LPATs. Download the Tools for LPATs here.