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One issue that's finally getting some media scrutiny is the special treatment the TPP trade deal gives to multinational corporations. In 20 years of trade deals, from NAFTA to the U.S.-Korea agreement, the enforcement of workers' rights, and environmental and safety standards has basically been an afterthought.

As a general matter, employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement containing a Union security clause are required, as a condition of employment, to pay an agency fee equal to normal Union dues (and, where applicable, initiation fees). While the wording of these clauses is not perfectly uniform, none requires more than the payment of this agency fee to retain employment.