Congressional Progressives Meet with CWA President Cohen to Discuss TPP Strategy

CWA President Larry Cohen met with about 25 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus to talk strategy to defeat Fast Track authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other trade deals.

The Obama administration is aligned with House Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in pushing for a trade deal that will devastate U.S. jobs, working families and communities.

Cohen laid down a set of principles on what 21st Century fair trade that benefits everyone, not just a handful of corporations, looks like:

• New trade deals should actually reduce our trade deficits with our trading partners and create good jobs with family-sustaining wages and benefits, not just pay lip service to that goal as we offshore more American jobs.
• Consumer protection regulations by federal, state and local governments are not diminished and trading partners must comply with International Labor Organization principles and convention. The U.S. has ratified just two of the eight principles that cover workers' rights, organizing and bargaining rights, child labor and freedom of association.
• Enforceable environmental standards are established.
• Social goals are enforceable at least at the same level as all other sections, like patents, investment protection and intellectual property rights.

"Trade policy, done correctly, is a win for the U.S. economy and U.S. workers," Cohen said. "It is critical that we work to stop the global race to the bottom that has been the result of old-style trade agreements. As a nation, we must strive to improve our standard of living and provide a better life for our children and grandchildren. We should not compromise on these values and reduce the quality of life for Americans through our trade policies."