Maine Coalition Endorses TRADE Act, Rep. Tom Allen Co-sponsors
A coalition of 49 labor, environmental, human rights, and community organizations in Maine announced today their endorsement of the TRADE Act, legislation pioneered by Rep. Mike Michaud.
“We are proud to stand today with Congressman Michaud and support a positive vision for trade policy. This is groundbreaking in the effort to re-write the rules of the global economy so that they benefit, not harm, the majority of people, our democracy, and the environment,” said Daphne Loring, coordinator of the Maine Fair Trade Campaign.
Michaud, who is the lead sponsor in the house, announced the legislation in D.C. Wednesday with Sherrod Brown, the lead sponsor in the Senate. Representative Tom Allen has signed on as one of over fifty original co-sponsors.
The NAFTA trade model has been devastating to Maine working families and has lead to job loss, erosion of state sovereignty, and a race to the bottom of labor and environmental standards. The Maine Fair Trade Campaign coalition member organizations have been working to change the direction of trade policy for several years.
“For years, Congress has been pushing through more of the same flawed NAFTA trade model that has resulted in devastating job loss and pushed wages and working standards down here in Maine and around the world. It’s time for trade agreements that work for working families,” said Ed Gorham, President of the Maine AFL-CIO. “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Congressman Michaud on this exciting legislation and we are so proud of his leadership on fair trade,” he said.
“We’re excited to be working towards a trade agenda that can support, instead of hinder, the crucial work being done to combat global warming and protect the environment.” said Ken Cline of the Maine Chapter of the Sierra Club. “The NAFTA model is harmful to the environment and it’s time we move forward to a new way of doing trade. This legislation offers us the chance to change the way the US approaches trade policy,” he said.
The TRADE Act triggers a review of all existing trade agreements, and provides a process to renegotiate them. The bill also outlines principles of what should be included in future trade agreements, and expresses the sense of the Congress that their role in trade policymaking should be strengthened.
Interviews with representatives from coalition member organizations available upon request.
