From: ndallen@r-node.gts.org (Nigel Allen)
Subject: NAFTA: statement from UFCW president
Organization: Echo Beach, Toronto
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 08:15:27 GMT

Here is a press release from the United Food and Commercial
Workers Union.

 Statement of UFCW President Wynn on Signing of NAFTA
 To: National Desk
 Contact: Greg Denier of the United Food and Commercial Workers
          Union, 202-466-1591

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 17   -- Following is the statement
of United Food and Commercial Workers President William H. Wynn on
the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement:

   For over 200 years, Americans have struggled to build a society
based on the dream of human progress.  Through the democratic
process, we have painstakingly constructed a foundation of
environmental, social, labor and safety standards that has not only
defined our dreams but also has shaped the dreams of the rest of the
world.
   Today, George Bush will sign the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada.  With the stroke of his
pen, George Bush is swinging a wrecking ball aimed straight
at the foundations of the American dream.
   If approved by Congress in its present form, the Bush trade deal
will inevitably create irresistible economic pressure to dismantle of
reduce American environmental, social, labor and safety standards in
the race to match the lowest standards in the world.  The competitive
edge in international trade will be determined not through effort,
ingenuity and innovation but rather will be set in terms of human
deprivation, environmental degradation and the denigration of
democratic processes.
   As the largest union in the largest manufacturing industry in the
United States -- food processing -- the UFCW has repeatedly warned
the Bush administration of the domestic dangers of NAFTA to the food
industry, the American economy as a whole and the safety of our
nation's food supply.  As with this entire term, George Bush,
however, is more interested in shining on the international stage
than he is in tending to the domestic needs of our nation and us
people.
   We are asking President-elect Clinton and Congress to open their
eyes and ears before congressional approval of NAFTA.  We are asking
our elected officials to take a careful look at Bush's trade deal and
to hear the concerns of the American people.
   In the food processing industry, the picture is clear and the
dangers of NAFTA extend far beyond the negative consequences for
workers in that industry.
   The average wage in the United States is $9.12 for food processing
employees.  In Mexico, the wage for comparable workers is less than a
dollar -- $.62 an hour.  The sweat-shop wages combined with the tax
enforcement of Mexican environmental standards will inexorably suck
our domestic food industry south of the border.  The lack of
enforcement of labor laws, lack of guarantees of democratic processes
and domestic open access to the U.S. market for multinationals that
move production south of the border will force U.S. conditions down.
   The food industry, with 1.7 million jobs, is one of the few
manufacturing sectors where employment is growing.  Those good jobs
are put at risk by this agreement.  The unique role of the food
processing industry in the American economy and society, however,
puts even more jobs at risk and threatens the safety of the food
supply for all Americans.
   Every job creates incomes and jobs in other sectors of the
economy.  This employment multiplier effect is particularly high in
the food industry.  Every one food processing job generates 3.74 more
jobs.  As the growth of food processing jobs generates other jobs for
the economy, the loss of food processing jobs causes the degeneration
of the job base in other sectors.
   For every $9.12 an hour food processing job that Bush plans to
exchange for a $.62 an hour job in Mexico, the American economy is
actually losing a net of almost five jobs.
   As the Bush deal ships our livelihood across the border, what does
the American consumer get in return?
   The accelerated growth of food imports from Mexico could seriously
compromise the safety of the American consumer's food purchases.  As
presently written, NAFTA would allow the introduction into our food
supply of additives and drugs that are not approved or tested in the
United States.
   Equally important, NAFTA would allow future administrations to
simply by-pass the current U.S, regulatory procedures and undermine
the democratically set processes for protecting the safety of our
food.
   Bush is asking us not only, to give up our jobs, but also to
sacrifice our democratic right to set our own national food safety
standards that are based on the health considerations of our families
and our communities.
   As an international union with members both in the U.S. and
Canada, the UFCW recognizes the absolute necessity of international
cooperation for economic growth.  We are particularly aware of the
need for such cooperation in our own hemisphere with our immediate
neighbors.  But if you want to improve the neighborhood, you don't
start by tearing down your own house.  You help the family next door
build its house."
   Our purpose is not so-called "protectionism" but progress which
will set standards to promote human well-being for all citizens of
our neighborhood in this hemisphere and throughout the world.
   The UFCW will be submitting more detailed recommendations to
Congress and the administration to ensure that any agreement has
adequate safeguards for U.S. workers, for environmental protection,
and for health and safety standards along with mechanisms for mutual
improvement of standards with Mexico.
 -30-
--