The IAM’s ongoing campaign to win a greater voice for unions and union members impacted by international trade accords took a step forward last month when the United States Trade Representative announced plans to increase the number of labor representatives to trade advisory committees.
“Labor’s participation in the trade advisory system is already reflected in current trade law, and this announcement is welcome news,” said IAM Chief of Staff and Director of Trade and Globalization, Owen Herrnstadt, who has testified before the U.S. Senate on labor’s under-representation. “The IAM will be closely monitoring the announcement to make certain that labor representatives are in fact selected to serve on these advisory committees.”
Although this recent development is positive, Herrnstadt says serious concerns over the effectiveness of the trade advisory system remain.
