print this page

USW Urges Congress to End Colombian Free Trade Discussion Due to Increased Violence Against Trade Unionists

Condemns Bush Administration’s Renewed Push for FTA

For Immediate Release                                        January 16, 2008

PITTSBURGH – In light of increased violence against unionists in Colombia and an increase in extra-judicial killings by the Colombian Armed Forces, the United Steelworkers (USW) today urged Congress to stand firm against pressure from the Bush administration to bring its proposed Columbian Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to a vote.

In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, USW International President Leo W. Gerard cited the Dec. 29, 2007 extra-judicial killing of long-time Sinaltrainal union member and activist Sigifredo Higuera Ramirez by the Colombian Armed Forces as an example of why the United States should steer clear of a trade agreement with Colombia time.

“This violence comes as the Bush administration is primed to make another big push for passage of the Colombian FTA,” Gerard wrote. “We urge you to continue resisting the pressure to bring this agreement to a vote.”

Quite alarmingly, the Colombian Armed Forces in recent years has accounted for a great share of extra-judicial killings -- that is, the targeted, systematic assassination of union leaders, community leaders and even Roman Catholic priests who are perceived to be a threat to the government by virtue of their standing up for the poor.

Meanwhile, Colombia has received about $4 billion in military aid from the United States since 2000.

“We don’t need to send American dollars to Colombia to finance a war against workers and their families,” Gerard said, “but that’s exactly what we expect would happen.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers in the United States and Canada employed in the metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and other industries as well as the service and public sectors.

Contact: Dan Kovalik (USW) 412-562-2541

- 30 -