2/24 call-in day against Korean "free" trade act

[eridani]

Actually a license for global corporations to fuck over average folks in both countries.

Community Alliance for Global Justice Call-in Day: Thursday February 24
CAGJ has agreed to take the lead on Feb 24, as we join the WA Week of Action to demand our representatives oppose the continuation of our failed trade policy. Please make a call on Thursday - or any day this week!

Call your WA State Congressional District Offices!
Ask to speak to the staff person indicated

Adam Smith (9) [phone] Matt Perry-Deputy Director
Jay Inslee (1) [phone] Patrick Hogan-Trade LA
Jim McDermott (7) [phone] Pete Mills-Trade LA
Rick Larsen (2)[phone] Jill McKinnie-District Director
Norm Dicks (6) [phone] Clark Mather-District Director,
Cathy McMorris-Rogers (5) [phone] David Condon-District Director
Dave Reichert (8) [phone] Tom Young
Doc Hastings (4) [phone]
Jaime Herrera (3) [phone] Shari Hildreth

Call-in Sample Script

My name is………I am a voter in your district.
I would like to speak with…
I am calling to urge the Representative to oppose the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement. This trade deal is bad for working people, family farmers, consumers and the environment in WA State, the US and South Korea. For the good of WA State and the health of our industries you need to oppose this agreement and support reform of our current trade policies. Thank-you.


LEARN MORE!
READ:
Seattle Times: US-Korea Trade Agreement is Bad for Both Countries here. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2014027477_guest25beifus.html
Korea-U.S. Deal Undercuts Civil Society, Stan Sorscher, SPEEA-Society for Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, on Huff Post here. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stan-sorscher/koreaus-deal-undercuts-ci_b_823648.html

RESOURCES:
WA Fair Trade Coalition Resources here. http://washingtonfairtrade.org/wordpress/?page_id=155
Global Trade Watch Resources here. http://www.citizen.org/Page.aspx?pid=3595

Korea-US Free Trade Agreement Talking Points
Prepared by WA Fair Trade Coalition

Increased US Trade Deficit with South Korea and Job Loss
• The Economic Policy Institute found that implementation of the Korea FTA would boost the U.S. trade deficit with Korea by $13.9 billion over the next seven years.
• Rising Korean imports would displace approximately 888,000 U.S. jobs over this time period, with the FTA directly responsible for about 159,000 net job losses.
• Living wage jobs in both countries will be displaced by minimum, in-secure jobs in the service sector

No Enforceable Labor Rights/Human Rights
• The FTA only ‘urges’ the US and South Korea to adhere to ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work which is not even enforceable.
• The 8 ILO Conventions that are enforceable are not included
• Weak Rule of Origin provision enables 2/3 of a product labeled ‘Korean’ to be made in third party countries including China and North Korea.

Further De-regulation for Corporations
• Investor-to-state dispute resolution mechanism does not contain any controls, such as exhaustion of domestic remedies, a standing appellate mechanism or a diplomatic screen, that could limit abuse of this private right of action.
• Requires that foreign based companies in South Korea, like those in all FTA nations, have the same access to state and federal government contracts as that of U.S. Based companies
• Forbids “Buy America” policies
• Prohibits the use of controls of capital flows and allows banks and other investors to sue governments directly if the capital controls reduce their profits or restrict their ability to continue speculating.

Environmental and Health/Safety De-regulation
• Under the FTA environmental and public health and safety protections in both countries can be challenged by foreign companies as barriers to trade
• Korea has been pressured to reduce its emissions standards and health and safety
• WA State Losses:

Agriculture
• Wheat, Washington State's 3rd most lucrative agricultural commodity according to the US International Trade Commission (USITC), is a net loser under KorUS FTA suffering a fall in its trade surplus-an estimated $14-69 million
• WA State's 1st, 2nd and 4th most important commodities are touted as winners-as tariffs by South Korea will be lessened and eventually eliminated. However there is nothing in the FTA to protect Apples, Dairy and Beef from currency devaluation-which happened under NAFTA. If South Korea devalues its currency (along with China and Taiwan, Korea is the only other country certified by the US Treasury Department as a currency manipulator) this is what can be expected: The equivalent of a:
• 10% tariff for dairy products
• 18.2 % tariff for vegetables, fruit, and nuts
• 12 % tariff for beef

Forestry
• According to the US International Trade Commission (USITC) the U.S. wood products trade deficit is supposed to worsen by at least $171 million
• The paper products trade deficit is supposed to worsen by at least $96 million

Manufacturing
• At least 60,000 jobs are at risk in WA State in motor vehicles and parts, other transportation equipment, electronic equipment, metal products and textiles and apparel
• According to the Economic Policy Institute, High Tech and Green Tech sectors are also at risk of job loss

Investors Rights vs Public Interest
• Under the FTA Korean corporations in WA State and WA State corporations in South Korea are not under domestic/state laws, and have the right to enforce FTA privileges by suing in special FTA tribunals


Organizations in WA State Opposed to the Korea-US FTA
American Federation of Government Employees 3937
Association of Pulp and Paper Workers (AWPPW)-International
Association of Pulp and Paper Workers Local 183
Community Alliance for Global Justice (CAGJ)
Community to Community
CWA-Washington, North Idaho CWA Area Labor Council
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 751
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 46
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 191
Jubilee NW
Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans
Seattle Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES)
Society of Professional Employees and Engineers in Aeronautics (SPEEA)
Teamsters Joint Council 28
United Steelworkers District 12
Washington Association of Churches
Washington Fair Trade Coalition
Washington State Labor Council
WashTech/CWA 37083
Witness for Peace Northwest