Hoffa Supports New Rules for Global Trade

Teamsters Leader Joins Lawmakers in TRADE Act Announcement

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa threw his support behind a trade bill announced Wednesday that would rewrite the rules of global trade.

The Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act is sponsored by Democratic Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, and Reps. Michael Michaud of Maine and Linda Sanchez of California.

"At long last, we can see an end to 14 years of disastrous trade deals," Hoffa said. "The TRADE Act would make sure that the benefits of trade go to workers, not just Wall Street.

"It sets new rules for global trade that create good jobs and improve working conditions everywhere. The TRADE Act lays out the foundation of how a trade agreement should be negotiated, and what it can and cannot include.

"Finally, we can have fair trade that workers everywhere deserve."

Hoffa was one of the earliest and strongest critics of NAFTA-style trade agreements that cost Americans millions of jobs.

The TRADE Act would set a new course for a better trade policy. It would:

-- Prevent another country from forcing unsafe practices or products on American citizens;

-- Make sure international labor standards are enforced;

-- Take away incentives for corporation to leave the U.S.;

-- Prevent foreign corporations from challenging our laws in secret international tribunals;

-- Make sure our government can promote good jobs and economic opportunity.

"The Teamsters have said all along that we're not fighting trade," Hoffa said. "We're fighting trade that destroys jobs and lowers safety standards.

"We are FOR trade that creates jobs and improves working conditions. And we are FOR this bill that would rewrite the rules for global trade at this critical time in our history."