UAW opposes Colombia free trade deal

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Detroit News

Last Updated: June 23. 2011 11:22AM .UAW opposes Colombia free trade deal
David Shepardson/ Detroit News Washington Bureau

Washington- The United Auto Workers, which broke with fellow unions to endorse the Korea Free Trade agreement, said today it opposes a trade deal with Colombia.

"The UAW will be opposed to the Colombia FTA as long as our brothers and sisters in Colombia continue to be brutally murdered and violently intimidated," the Detroit-based union said in a statement. "We support and will work closely with other American and Colombian unions in the struggle to improve conditions on the ground in Colombia before rewarding the Colombian government and corporations with trade benefits."

The UAW praised the Obama administration for working to strengthen labor and human rights protections in Colombia through the Action Plan and through continuing discussions with Colombia, but said it did not go far enough.

Read more: http://www.detnews.com/article/20110623/AUTO01/106230458/1361/UAW-opposes-Colombia-free-trade-deal

[rabs]

1. Not only the UAW, but 431 labor and human rights organizations

have asked the U.S. Congress to reject the FTA with Colombia. The organizations are mostly from Colombia and the United States, although there are some from other countries.

El Tiempo of Bogota is reporting today that a letter sent to members of Congress states:

"We urge you to vote against the ratification of the FTA between Colombia and the United States." "Los instamos a votar en contra de la ratificación del TLC entre Colombia y Estados Unidos", piden los firmantes de la carta.


"Colombia continues being the most dangerous nation in the world for union (members)."
"Colombia sigue siendo el país más peligroso del mundo para los sindicalistas", señaló la misiva.

Just in 2010 51 labor leaders were assassinated and the impunity in labor crime (cases) since 1986 is 94 percent ..."
Solo en 2010 fueron asesinados 51 líderes sindicales y la impunidad en casos de crímenes laborales desde 1986 es de un 94%, según cifras entregadas por las organizaciones.

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El Tiempo story for readers of Spanish

http://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/estados-unidos/rechazo-al-tratado-de-libre-comercio-entre-colombia-y-estados-unidos_9705764-4

[blue97keet]

2. Why support an FTA with anybody regardless of "conditions on the ground"?