Local Opposition to “Fast-Track” Heats Up with Solidarity Press Conference, 10 AM Thurs (4/16) in Raleigh
Advisory for Thursday, April 16, 2015
Contact: Angie Wells, Communication Workers of America, [email protected] // 713-503-9908; Renée Maas, Food & Water Watch, [email protected] // 919-593-7752; Jeremy Sprinkle, NC State AFL-CIO, [email protected] // 336-255-2711
Union, Environmental, and Community Groups Opposed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership will respond to Introduction of a Bill in Congress to “Fast Track” its Passage at Solidarity Press Conference, 10 AM Thursday, April 16 in Raleigh
Community calls on U.S. Rep. David Price to stand up for good jobs and consumer protections by opposing “Fast Track”. Immediately after the press conference, participants will march to Price’s district office to deliver letters from constituents opposed to Fast Track and TPP.
WHAT: A press conference on the Trans-Pacific Partnership and efforts by Big Business and others to ram it through Congress by a “fast track” process, which would force members of Congress to vote on the 1,200 + page TPP treaty with almost no debate and no ability to amend it.
Unions, environmental, progressive and community groups and others will take part in a Solidarity Press Conference to highlight our national day of action and the devastating impact of Fast Track and TPP on good jobs and our communities.
The TPP trade deal will send more N.C. jobs overseas, raise prescription drug prices, and allow multinational corporations to challenge any N.C. law or City of Raleigh regulation that affects “expected future profits” in a secret, overseas court.
WHO: Renee Maas, Food & Water Watch
Ana Pardo, Workers’ Right Project at NC Justice Center;
Ron Garcia-Fogarty, Witness for Peace Southeast;
Yvonne Kinston, Communications Workers of America Local 3680;
Gailya Paliga, NC National Organization for Women
WHERE: Nash Square, 200 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
WHEN: Thursday, April 16, beginning at 10:00 am
VISUALS: Participants will be holding signs, wearing buttons and t-shirts; a march to Rep. David Price’s office; hand delivery of letters to Congressman Price.
BACKGROUND:
The TPP is being negotiated in secret between the United States and 11 Pacific Rim countries including Malaysia, Mexico, Japan, and Vietnam. This massive trade deal would cover 792 million people and 40 percent of the global economy. The TPP would destroy N.C. jobs and allow multinational corporations to challenge environmental and consumer protections and even our Buy American laws.
Trade Promotion Authority, or “Fast Track,” is an expedited process that strips away the rights of members of Congress to debate and amend the trade deal and requires an up-or-down vote with limited debate.
Members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, have publicly declared their opposition to Fast Track authority.
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The North Carolina State AFL-CIO is the largest association of local unions and union councils in North Carolina, representing union members across our state, fighting for good jobs, safe workplaces, workers’ rights, consumer protections, and quality public services on behalf of ALL working families. PO Box 10805, Raleigh, NC 27605.