U.S. and Canadian labvor leaders hope for renegotation of NAFTA

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/10552

Lede: U.S. labor leaders aren’t alone in calling for a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Canadian labor leaders also hope their government will work with the U.S. government to build a new agreement that helps both sides during this worldwide economic crisis. Doug Cunningham has more.

By Doug Cunningham

The AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress want President Obama and Prime Minister Harper to work together to deal with the global economic crisis. Labor in both countries also wants the national leaders to review and renegotiate NAFTA for a more prosperous North America. The labor movements in each country say to build a strong, fair economy for workers in the U.S., Canada ad Mexico workers voices must be heard in trade agreements and workers rights must be respected. Labor wants the U.S. and Canada to adopt a series of complementary policies that are worker-friendly. The AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress say workers are paying a terrible price for the unfettered greed and recklessness of a corporate elite and a new approach to economic policies is needed. Letters were sent from the labor leaders to the U.S. and Canadian governments urging a bold and comprehensive agenda on economic and labor policies that shifts the national agendas towards a focus on workers and their prosperity.