Congressional leaders stopped President Bush's attempt to force a Fast Track vote (requiring a vote within 60 days) on the anti-labor Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). But the US-Colombia FTA has not been defeated. President Bush and Corporations will not stop fighting for the agreement. That's why we need to take action.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I support the Congressional efforts that prevented President Bush's US - Colombian Free Trade Agreement (FTA) from being forced to a vote of Congress. Like NAFTA, this deeply flawed trade agreement will only serve to export good American jobs while creating substandard jobs abroad. In the interest of American and Colombian workers, I ask that you oppose this agreement if and when it comes to a vote.

The International Labor Organization(ILO) reports that several of Colombia's labor laws violate international trade standards and that the country has failed to enforce even its own weak labor laws. With 2,500 assassinations of trade unionists since 1986, Colombia is the most dangerous place in the world to be a labor activist. The threat of violence or death is a serious deterrent to unionization, fair wages and workplace safety. It is no wonder that Colombia's unionization rate - 4% - is the lowest in Latin America. Moreover, the FTA does not contain sufficient safeguards to protect one of the most bio-diverse regions on earth.

Trade policies should promote both the quantity and quality of U.S. jobs, as well as those of the countries we trade with, and contain stringent safety standards for both workers and the environment. The assassination of labor leaders and violation of human rights should not provide any country with an economic advantage. This only serves to erode the voices, living standards and wages of workers in both countries.

Trade is not "free" when workers are killed for standing up for their rights. The Bush Administration's false claim that the Colombia FTA must be passed for security reasons shows how desperate they are to reward their corporate backers before leaving office. This agreement must be defeated, and its passage should not be tied to worthy programs such as Trade Adjustment Assistance and or a new economic stimulus bill.

Please inform me of your position on the US-Colombia FTA and, when possible, of your positions and actions on trade agreements before Congress.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 22, 2008