Promoting Trade Policy that Prioritizes Workers

On Tuesday, CWA Legislative Specialist Elena Lopez testified at a U.S. International Trade Commission hearing, stressing the impact that offshoring facilitated by unfair trade policies has on workers. She noted that workers tend to move to lower paying jobs after losing their jobs to offshoring – a trend she said was “especially true” for workers who change industries, as well as for workers of color. “As the union representing the largest number of workers in the call center industry, we have seen firsthand how our trade policy has encouraged companies to offshore jobs, driving down wages and working conditions for U.S. workers,” said Lopez.

In addition, she highlighted the various policies and loopholes embedded in previous trade deals that have made it easier for multinational corporations to disinvest from domestic industries.

Lopez added, “The impacts of our trade policies are not limited solely to offshoring of jobs, but also include undermining negotiating power for international workers seeking to form unions or to secure better pay, benefits and working conditions. Our trade policies should promote growth and opportunities for all workers, domestic and abroad, rather than a race to the bottom.”