LABOR RAISES THE BAR ON THE TRADE ISSUE (NIGHTMARE FOR THE CORPORATE DEMS)

[Omaha Steve]

http://taussblog.typepad.com/laying_it_on_the_line/2006/03/labor_raises_th.html

NIGHTMARE FOR THE CORPORATE DEMS

It rated one paragraph in the New York Times and passed under the radar of most people on the Hill. But the AFL-CIO’s major change in its trade policy, passed at the recent Executive Council meeting, may have more impact on the political front than its $40 million election year budget.

The AFL-CIO issued a call for the U.S. to exercise our rights under Article 12 of the W.T.O. and impose a temporary, across-the-board tariff increase to reduce America’s trade deficit. Contrary to popular belief (Rep. Charlie Rangel recently told a reporter it was illegal), W.T.O. rules allow tariff increases, but only for the purpose of closing a persistent trade deficit. We can’t raise tariffs to gain a trade surplus, but we can do so to close a deficit.

Things Have Changed
After the passage of NAFTA, labor responded by raising the banner of labor and environmental rights in trade treaties – a move which, among other things, allowed us to shed the label of ‘irrelevant protectionists’ and get back in the debate.

This successfully changed the trade debate. But, while valuable, we were never under any illusion that this would turn around the trade imbalance.

Now things have changed:

Outsourcing Spreads
1) The rapid entry into the global capitalist workforce of a billion low-wage workers has combined with rapid changes in technology to put almost any job at risk of being sent offshore. The main defense of NAFTA – we’ll send the ‘crummy’ jobs overseas and keep the ‘good’ jobs here – wouldn’t pass the laugh test today with almost every job that doesn’t require physical presence (retail, burger-flipping and hands-on health care) already on its way out the door.

This changes the political dynamic of the issue, putting millions more workers in economic jeopardy and expanding the base of any popular movement to deal with it.

Trade Deficit: Looming Disaster
2) This change has produced a second change. The balance of trade deficit has increased steadily since 1992 in both absolute terms and relative to the size of our economy. Americans are currently living 7% beyond our means (i.e., consuming 7% more than we produce). And this is expected to continue to rise. The U.S., which was a creditor nation in the 90’s, has become a debtor nation, slipping further and further into debt.

FULL story at link.

[Sanity Claws]

1. The article was written in March 2006

Anything indicating that any Democrats are adopting this position? I haven't heard about it.

[Omaha Steve]

2. It is a top five on the labor list

Employee Free Choice Act is the top priority.

[Sanity Claws]

3. Would you mind directing to where I can find the labor list?

I'd appreciate it.

[Omaha Steve]

5. Ever read something and forget where it is...

I found this list at the bottom of the article. Not the same list though. I'll try tomorrow. I work the graveyard shift for another 3 weeks.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j7M2VCF1-k-6Jb1L46UCMv8rzRYAD94C9PB00

Unions look to Obama to help advance their agenda

Among other bills that could appear on the legislative calendar in 2009:

_A new minimum wage increase. Congress approved a three-step, $2.10 increase last year. The minimum now is $6.55 an hour, and the last step, a 70-cent increase to $7.25 an hour, will occur next summer.

_The Paycheck Fairness Act passed the House in July, but the White House threatened a veto and the bill never made it out of the Senate. Supporters said it was needed to close loopholes that allow employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay.

_The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, named after an Alabama woman whose pay discrimination lawsuit was thrown out on a 5-4 Supreme Court vote in 2007. The court said she waited too long to sue. The House passed legislation to remove that time limit, but it hit a filibuster wall in the Senate.

_The House in 2007 also passed legislation to extend collective bargaining rights to public safety workers such as police and firefighters in all 50 states. It stalled in the Senate.

_Obama has supported legislation to overturn the National Labor Relations Board's 2006 "Kentucky River" rulings that classified hundreds of thousands of skilled workers, such as nurses and construction workers, as supervisors if they direct a co-worker 10 percent of the workday. Labor says the rulings could interfere with rights to join unions.

_The House last November passed legislation to end workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The Senate did not act.

[Omaha Steve]

6. Another (wrong) list

http://hr.cch.com/news/employment/111008a.asp

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW — 11/10/08

List at link.

Obama win, power shift in Congress to bring major employment law changes

As President-elect Barack Obama celebrates an historic victory, employers are considering exactly what impact the presidential and congressional shift will have on their organizations over the next four years. In an already volatile market, businesses should immediately prepare for impending changes related to wages, immigration, taxes, health care, executive compensation and benefits, civil rights and, most importantly, an inevitable increase in unionization, according to employment law firm Littler Mendelson.

As a result of the new administration's stated ideals, employers are likely to be increasingly burdened with costs from potential minimum wage hikes and added responsibility pertaining to monitoring employment of illegal immigrants. The likely legislative agenda will create surges in union activity and increases in legal claims, which are typically filed more frequently as times get tough and employees and former employees become desperate to make ends meet, according to Littler.

Beyond such issues, businesses need to consider new agendas from governmental agencies and the rapid development of close relationships between agencies, labor and civil rights groups.

"The combination of President Obama, with an electoral mandate for change from the voters, large Democratic gains in both houses of Congress, and the declining economy, sets the stage for a wave of legislative and regulatory proposals intended to protect workers in these troubled times," said Jay Sumner, an attorney in Littler's Washington, DC office. "In the first 100 days and over the next four years, American businesses should anticipate significant changes." "Those companies that educate themselves and prepare to navigate the changed labor and employment landscape will survive and prosper; and they should have a competitive edge over those that are caught unprepared."

[Sanity Claws]

7. Thank you, Steve

I am particularly interested in trade and wanted to pass the information on to a friend of mine who teaches a class on international trade.

[Omaha Steve]

8. I gave up after a while

I'll try Wednesday afternoon when I'm awake.

[blindpig]

4. Ya'll need the commies back.

Taft-Hartley broke the spine of unionism. Communists were consistantly the best organizers.

Repeal Taft-Hartley.