National LCLAA 2008 Membership Convention

4. Resolution: Support the TRADE Act: Trade Reform, Accountability

Development and Employment Act - H.R. 6180/S. 3083

Whereas, the TRADE Act addresses the American public's demand for change during the Presidential Campaign, with a

new way forward on trade and globalization and what trade agreements must and must not include. This initiative sets

forth what we stand for ­ shutting down claims that labor and the environment are anti-trade or have no alternative vision,

because we oppose the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Central America Free Trade Agreement

(CAFTA), World Trade Organization (WTO), and similar damaging trade agreements, and

Whereas, the TRADE Act requires a review of existing trade pacts, including NAFTA, the WTO and other major pacts,

and sets forth what must and must not be included in future trade pacts. It also provides for the renegotiation of existing

trade agreements and describes the key elements of a new trade negotiating and approval mechanism to replace Fast Track

that would enhance Congress' role in the formative aspects of agreements and promote future deals that could enjoy broad

support among the American public, and

Whereas, the TRADE Act shifts the debate towards discussing a new trade and globalization model. It moves beyond

repeatedly fighting against expansions of the old failed model and sets a marker for where discussion should start with a

new Congress and President in 2009. One of our nation's greatest challenges is to create new rules for globalization that

ensure economic security and the creation of quality jobs here, while offering opportunities for sustainable development in

poor countries. Such rules would counter rising income inequality and the threats our current policies pose to national

security, our shared global environment, public health and safety, and democratic accountability, and

Whereas, organizations such as the AFL-CIO, the Change to Win, the Communications Workers of America, the

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, the

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the International Union of

Painters and Allied Trades, the United Steelworkers, UNITE-HERE, the United Methodist Church General Board of

Church and Society, Friends of the Earth, the Sierra Club, the National Farmers Union, the National Family Farm

Coalition, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Americans for Democratic Action, Public Citizen, and the

Citizens Trade Campaign, have all given their unwavering support for the TRADE Act, hence,

Therefore be it resolved, that the National Labor Council for Latin American Advancement at its' 2008 national

convention in Orlando, Florida, wholeheartedly promote support for the TRADE Act urging all its members and affiliates

to contact their respective congressional representatives in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to get on

board in signing on as supporters of the TRADE Act.

Respectfully submitted by:

New York City LCLAA Chapter

Albany/Capital District Chapter

Westchester County LCLAA Chapter

REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE: CIVIL and HUMAN RIGHTS

CONCURRENCE:________________________________________

NON-CONCURRENCE:___________________________________