WHERAS, our nation's trade policies have failed to foster equitable, democratic and sustainable development abroad, and good jobs and healthy communities at home; and

WHEREAS, these failures are evident in the $800 billion U.S. trade deficit, stagnation in real wages, the decimation of our manufacturing sector, and the exacerbation of human rights abuses and growing inequality in many of our trading partners; and

WHEREAS, growing imports and offshore outsourcing have contributed to the loss of good jobs in every sector that faces international competition, including over 3 million U.S. jobs lost in manufacturing since George W. Bush took office, and 112,000 manufacturing jobs lost in the Commonwealth since that time; and

WHEREAS, the nation's trade deficit with our NAFTA trading partners has grown fourteenfold since we entered into NAFTA in 1994, our deficit with China has more than doubled since the grant of permanent normal trade relations in 2000, and our global trade deficit has grown eightfold since the WTO was created in 1995; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO supports a moratorium on new trade agreements until they are written to protect and advance workers' interests and environmental protections. This includes fighting against flawed trade agreements proposed to include Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Panama, and South Korea, as well as the waning attempt to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO commends the decision of Democrats in Congress to let the President's "fast track" authority to negotiate trade deals lapse. Using "fast track" authority, President Bush could push through flawed trade deals without Congressional interference; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will support state and local legislation that limits the offshoring of government jobs, and improves the quality of data needed to assess offshoring trends; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO supports policies which ensure that our health care system can accomplish our social objectives without creating unnecessary competitive burdens for companies. The high cost of employer-based health care delivery in the U.S. is a major contributing factor to company's offshoring jobs; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that the President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will transmit a copy of this resolution and other information to all relevant parties to demonstrate its ardent support for a change in trade policy.

Submitted by:
Robert J. Haynes, President
Louis A. Mandarini, Jr., Secretary- Treasurer