Senate passes worker aid bill tied to trade deals

[ProSense]

Senate passes worker aid bill tied to trade deals

By JIM ABRAMS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The prospect that Congress will vote on three long-stalled free trade agreements has gotten a big boost with Senate passage of legislation to help workers who lose their jobs because of overseas competition.

The Senate voted 70-27 Thursday to revive provisions of the 2009 economic stimulus act that enhanced benefits under Trade Adjustment Assistance, a Kennedy-era program that provides retraining and financial support to workers displaced by trade.

The vote removes a key obstacle to President Barack Obama's submitting free trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama to Congress for final approval. Obama, while supporting the trade deals, has linked them to extension of the worker-aid program.

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Roll call

[brentspeak]

1. "Trade assistance" already proven to be almost worthless in today's economy

A fig leaf so Obama can now pathetically sign US Chamber of Commerce-approved job-offshoring deals.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/06/us/06retrain.html

Job Retraining May Fall Short of High Hopes

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — For the second time in three years, Mike Hutchins, a laid-off automotive engineer, is preparing to enroll in job retraining at a local community college, this time to become a civil engineering technician. But he has no idea if he has chosen the right path.

“I’m fumbling around in the dark,” said Mr. Hutchins, 58.

snip

Tens of thousands of laid-off workers like Mr. Hutchins have turned to retraining as a lifeline. Yet for all the popularity of these government-financed programs, there are questions about whether they actually work, even as President Obama’s stimulus plan directs $1.4 billion more to retraining and other services for people who have lost their jobs.

snip

Nonetheless, a http://wdr.doleta.gov/research/FullText_Documents/Workforce%20Investment%20Act%20Non-Experimental%20Net%20Impact%20Evaluation%20-%20Final%20Report.pdf">little-noticed study the Labor Department released several months ago found that the benefits of the biggest federal job training program were “small or nonexistent” for laid-off workers. It showed little difference in earnings and the chances of being rehired between laid-off people who had been retrained and those who had not.

But suppose some shill says: "Look! The UAW is officially in endorsing the new trade deals!"

It's all a scam, as trade expert Ian Fletcher explains:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ian-fletcher/stop-the-korea-free-trade_b_812646.html

Stop the Korea Free Trade Agreement!

Don't be fooled by the fact that some unions, like the United Auto Workers (UAW), have endorsed the agreement. This is part of a cynical ploy by the White House to split the trade union movement in order to keep the AFL-CIO neutral. The UAW's out-of-touch leadership is so punch-drunk from the 2008 collapse of the U.S. auto industry that it has lost touch not only with what is good for the American economy as a whole, but with what is good for rank-and-file auto workers. Don't take my word for it: in the words of Al Benchich, retired president of UAW Local 909:

The UAW Administration Caucus is the one-party state that controls the UAW at the International level. Every International officer is a member of the Caucus, and they surround themselves with appointed international reps that unquestioningly do their bidding.

No wonder other, more democratic and more intelligent, unions, like Leo Gerard's United Steelworkers, are criticizing the UAW for its decision to support KORUS-FTA.

[ProSense]

2. Time

"No wonder other, more democratic and more intelligent, unions, like Leo Gerard's United Steelworkers, are criticizing the UAW for its decision to support KORUS-FTA."

...to update your sources.

The United Steelworkers are now working to address China's currency manipulation.

Pittsburgh -- The United Steelworkers (USW) said a report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) that cites a staggering 2.8 million job losses in the past decade was an alarming confirmation of the growing trade deficit impact on American workers since China's ascension to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001.

"We need to aggressively enforce U.S. trade laws, and we must make the development of good jobs our highest priority issue for every member of Congress and every candidate for public office, including those campaigning to be president," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard.

<...>

"USW members have been calling on their congressional members to support bills to address the China currency issue. The Chinese Yuan is more undervalued today than it was a year ago, making U.S. exports to them more costly, while their imports unfairly compete with our manufactured products," said Gerard.

He says if President Obama won't name China a currency manipulator, then Congress will have no choice but to pass legislation that will hold the Chinese accountable.

<...>

[brentspeak]

3. You mean time for you to change the subject via obfuscation

Both Fletcher's piece and your link illustrate that the United Steelworkers are in opposition to Obama's policies.

So what was the point of your post? Disorientating the casual reader through illogic?

[ProSense]

4. Hmmm?

"Both Fletcher's piece and your link illustrate that the United Steelworkers are in opposition to Obama's policies."

So it's your understanding that the United Steelworkers aren't pushing to address China's currency manipulation in order to strengthen the U.S. trade position?

[brentspeak]

5. Yes, it's my understanding that the USW is doing the right thing while the Obama admin is not

Do you have any other questions?