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Stop China's Repression
Today, the AFL-CIO is taking action to protect America’s jobs and stop the unconscionable abuse of workers by the Chinese government. We need you to help by sending a message to Congress and President George W. Bush today.
Two years ago, the AFL-CIO filed a petition with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) charging the Chinese government’s denial of workers’ rights creates an enormous and unfair trade advantage that has cost America’s workers more than a million jobs.
The USTR refused to investigate, despite the overwhelming evidence of the Chinese government’s mistreatment of workers. But we will not allow our government to ignore this egregious repression of working men and women anymore.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: End China's Abuse of Workers and Unfair Trade Advantage
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Two years ago, the AFL-CIO filed a petition with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) charging that the Chinese government persistently and systematically denies its workers their rights, creating an enormous and unfair trade advantage that has cost America's workers more than 1 million jobs.
The USTR refused to investigate. President Bush promised to take actions that would improve China's compliance with workers' rights. But two years later, the Chinese government's record on workers' rights is no better--and in some cases it is even worse.
The AFL-CIO has now submitted a new petition with the USTR under Section 301 of the Trade Act, directing the president to impose trade sanctions and other presidential powers to remedy "unreasonable trade practices" by a trading partner.
I urge you to support the AFL-CIO's petition and call on the USTR to fully investigate China's egregious repression of its workers and the effect on America's economy and workers.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
June 07, 2006
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Today, the AFL-CIO is taking action to protect America’s jobs and stop the unconscionable abuse of workers by the Chinese government. We need you to help by sending a message to Congress and President George W. Bush today.
Two years ago, the AFL-CIO filed a petition with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) charging the Chinese government’s denial of workers’ rights creates an enormous and unfair trade advantage that has cost America’s workers more than a million jobs.
The USTR refused to investigate, despite the overwhelming evidence of the Chinese government’s mistreatment of workers. But we will not allow our government to ignore this egregious repression of working men and women anymore.
Instead, the AFL-CIO has submitted another petition under Section 301 of the Trade Act, which directs the president to impose trade sanctions and other presidential powers to remedy “unreasonable trade practices” by a trading partner.
Please join our effort by writing President Bush and your members of Congress and urging them to support a full investigation of China’s repression of its workers by the USTR.
The petition filed by the AFL-CIO documents persistent violations of the rights of China’s factory workers by the Chinese government and multinational corporations. The petition also exposes that this systematic repression, by giving China an unfair trade advantage, has cost America more than 1 million jobs.
The abuse is clear. The Chinese government and global corporations:
- Deny Chinese workers the freedom of association and rights to collective bargaining.
- Exploit millions of child laborers and forced laborers.
- Do not enforce wage and hour standards.
- Do not enforce occupational safety and health standards.
The petition also shows the cost America’s workers pay because of China’s human rights violations. Because exploiting workers brings down the cost of manufacturing, the unfair cost advantage of China-based producers has displaced about 1,235,000 jobs in the United States.
It is time for our government to take action, both to protect jobs at home and to improve the lives of China’s exploited factory workers. Tell President Bush and your members of Congress to take real action to end the Chinese government’s human rights abuses.
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