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Change to Win Applauds Speaker Pelosi for Blocking Vote on Colombia Free Trade Agreement

WASHINGTON, Apr. 10 /PRNewswire/ --

WASHINGTON, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Change to Win chair Anna Burger regarding U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's announced plans to delay a vote on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

"Change to Win applauds Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for resisting strong-arm tactics by the White House and reasserting congressional authority over our nation's trade policies. The U.S. House should not bring the Colombia Free Trade Agreement to a vote this year. We need a new 'fair' trade model before any new trade agreements are considered."

"Colombia needs years, not months, to ensure the eradication of union killings and impunity that have plagued that country for decades. Trade isn't 'free' when thousands are killed for standing up for their rights in the workplace. Since 1991, more than 2,500 workers have been murdered for trying to form unions - more than 500 since the beginning of the Uribe administration - and thousands more have been attacked, threatened and detained. Yet the Colombian government has done nothing to effectively stop death squads from murdering workers for trying to form unions.

"While Americans are struggling to achieve the American Dream, Congress needs to act to extend unemployment insurance, fund infrastructure projects, pass Trade Adjustment Assistance, extend the Children's Health Insurance Program, and provide immediate help to homeowners being foreclosed upon and students in danger of losing their college loans. But make no mistake. Change to Win will continue to strongly oppose the Colombia pact. There can be no vote and no deals on this agreement."

About Change to Win

Seven unions and six million workers united in Change to Win to build a new movement of working people equipped to meet the challenges of the global economy and restore the American Dream in the 21st century: a paycheck that can support a family, affordable health care, a secure retirement and dignity on the job. The seven partner unions are: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Laborers' International Union of North America, Service Employees International Union, UNITE HERE, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, United Farm Workers of America, and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.