FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact
Scott Franzwa, Local Union Press UAW Local 2162, cell 775 722-4291
Rudy Viola, President UAW Local 2162, cell 775-843-3206

WHO: United Auto Workers Local 2162

WHAT:  Rally to support “Fair Trade”

WHY: American “Free Trade” agreements are not “Fair Trade” agreements.

Leading up to the 2007 UAW strike against General Motors, it was stated that the strike was not just about us, it was a strike for all American workers and American jobs.

We are asking union members from other unions, citizens, community leaders and politicians to stand with us in supporting “Fair Trade” agreements.

Many U.S. companies will close factories, plants and offices in this country and open business in low wage countries. Wages in Viet Nam are $50 per month, Thailand $70 per month, and China about $60 per month. Wages in many of these countries are 40 cents to $1.00 per hour. Mexico may have the highest wages at only 80 cents to $1.80 per hour. If workers in Mexico ask for better wages, companies will threaten to close their business and move to China.

Our current “Free Trade” agreements are unfair; they have set up systems that force companies and countries to compete on the basis of who can pay the lowest wages.

WHEN:
March 28, 2008 (Friday)
Starting at 1:00 p.m. and until we have 1,000 letters signed asking Congressman Dean Heller to support “Fair Trade” agreements.

WHERE: 
Rally will set up on the corner of Moya Blvd. and Echo Ave.
Directions: From Reno take 395 FWY North to Stead, take the Red Rock Exit, Turn Right from the Freeway onto Red Rock, turn Right onto Moya Blvd. follow Moya Blvd. (2.4 miles) to Echo Ave.

 

RALLY

Americans supporting “Fair Trade”

We are asking union members from other unions, citizens, community leaders and politicians to stand with us in supporting “Fair Trade” agreements.

When: Friday, March 28, 2008

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Place: On the corner of Moya Blvd. and Echo Ave. in front of the UAW-GM sign.

We will stay until we have 1,000 letters signed asking Congressman Dean Heller to support legislation for “Fair Trade” agreements.

“Fair Trade” agreements must be able to enforce the following:

1. Must include a livable wage.
2. Must include dignity, respect and gender equality for all workers.
3. Must include a 40 hour work week based on provisions of the FLSA.
4. Must include language that addresses the Value Added Tax (VAT) that other countries add onto our products exported to them.
5. Must include language that addresses tariffs and any other costs that countries add to our products exported to them.
6. Must include language that protects communities and the environment.
7. Must include language to protect workers’ health and safety.
8. Must include language to protect workers’ rights, such as the freedom to organize and/or join a union.

Rally will set up on the corner of Moya Blvd. and Echo Ave.

Directions: From Reno take 395 FWY North to Stead, take the Red Rock Exit, Turn Right from the Freeway onto Red Rock, turn Right onto Moya Blvd. follow Moya Blvd. (2.4 miles) to Echo Ave.

March 28, 2008

Honorable Dean Heller
Member of Congress
Reno Office
400 S. Virginia St., Ste. 502
Reno, NV 89501
775-686-5760 (Office)
775-686-5711 (Fax)

Dear Representative Heller:

We would like you to support “Fair Trade” policies. Such policies contain provisions to enforce fair labor and environmental standards. The result is to “level the playing field” to the benefit of workers and their communities. Our current “Free Trade” policies, on the other hand, are unfair and could put 30 to 40 million American jobs at risk.

We are tired of the sound bites that say educated workers in other countries have better skills than American workers, or that uneducated workers from other countries will do the “jobs Americans won’t do.” Our current trade policies are putting American workers in direct competition with workers in other countries that are paid as low as 40 cents an hour. Even if American workers were to work for free, they could never compete with many workers in Asia, Mexico and South America. Many U.S. companies relocate their operations overseas because: (1) they can pay workers low wages (e.g. 40 cents an hour in China); (2) they can avoid paying employee benefits; (3) they don’t have to comply with safety and environmental regulations; and (4) they don’t have to pay foreign taxes on their exports to the U.S.

Workers in the U.S. automotive industry (many UAW members) are some of the most heavily impacted by the loss of jobs due to outsourcing. Almost one million U.S. auto manufacturing jobs were lost to low wage countries with the justification that it was good for our country. Then low-skilled jobs like answering customer inquiries were also outsourced based on the same reasoning. Now, the list of outsourced jobs includes aerospace engineering, financial report writing, software design, stock market analysis, and many more.

It is anticipated that the next wave of outsourced jobs will include accountants, bookkeepers, computer programmers, data entry technicians, financial analysts, graphic designers, and medical transcribers. With every job lost, we are continually told that it’s good for America. The U.S. Air Force is even planning to outsource a $40 billion contract for its fleet of aerial refueling tankers to Europe! This represents a loss of 44,000 high-skilled and good-paying jobs, when our country so desperately needs these jobs. Will you be able to tell these American workers that it is good for our country when they lose such jobs?

For all the aforementioned reasons, please support “Fair Trade” policies that include protections for a livable wage, workers’ health and safety, gender equality and workers’ rights (including the freedom to join a union), the environment and communities. “Fair Trade” policies should also address the Value Added Tax (VAT), tariffs and unfair costs that other countries add to the price of our exports.

Thank you for taking time to consider our views.

Sincerely,

Name:

Address:

City:

State:                          

Zip:

Phone Number:

Signature:

It’s time to fix our trade policies so they work for American Workers!

Nevada congressional delegation contact information

Please e-mail a copy to the UAW
or send it by U.S. Mail to
Rudy Viola, President
United Auto Workers Local 2142
1755 E. Plumb Lane Suite 111
Reno, NV 89502
Or, you may fax it to (775) 786-6416

Thanks!

Be well. Raise hell.