UAW opposes Colombia free trade deal

[Judi Lynn]

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.

The UAW said there must be significant progress on continued violence against union activists and there must be concrete evidence "that the perpetrators of these crimes are being brought to justice."

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

[EFerrari]

1. This is great news. Thanks, Judi Lynn. n/t