Labor Leaders, Lawmakers Speak Out Against The Colombia Free Trade Agreement

A group of union representatives and lawmakers called on the President Thursday to delay the advancement of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement until the South American country does more to protect its labor leaders.

“This is something that the Congress of the United States cannot ignore and before we give American preference to another country for trade arrangements, we need to ask if this is good for American workers and good for American values,” Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) said during a press conference.

In a statement, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka noted that 2,850 trade unionists have been killed in the last 25 years, effectively making the country the “most dangerous place in the world to be a union member.”

Larry Cohen, the President of the Communications Workers of America, told reporters that he  already has the support of 14 Congressmen and hopes to send a signed letter to president Obama within the next week.