CONTACT: Roxanne Brown (202) 778-4384
(Pittsburgh) -- The United Steelworkers issued the following statement after the business community criticized the current direction of NAFTA negotiations.
Since the day NAFTA was signed into law, workers in the United States, Mexico and Canada have suffered from its impact and have hoped for its reform or repeal.
Next week, negotiators will meet for the fourth round of talks to update its provisions and attempt to reverse the significant economic damage the agreement has caused.
It's no surprise that business groups are concerned that NAFTA's outsourcing provisions may be dramatically altered, and that provisions might be included to develop an agreement that is fairer to workers.
Organized labor is working with the Administration to advance proposals that will promote growth and opportunity for workers in all three countries. A deal that achieves those goals would be worthy of our support.
Businesses have set the agenda for far too long and the result has been rising trade deficits, lost jobs, devastated communities and rising income inequality.
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.