The Central Florida Sierra Club has joined activists from labor, fair trade, and the general community to protest the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a secretive trade deal that threatens to worsen a global race to the bottom for wages, consumer safety, health care and environmental standards. Groups such as the Sierra Club, Public Citizen, Communication Workers of America, AFL-CIO, Friends of the Earth and the Rainforest Action Network have raised concerns about the TPP and the environment.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership, a proposed deal between the United States and 13 other Pacific Rim nations. It could have wide-reaching influence on the quality of life of everyday Americans. Yet, the only people at the negotiating table are corporate lobbyists and government negotiators, not groups concerned about workers, public health, free speech, the environment and consumer protections. Local citizens need to tell the White House no fast track agreements-we want to have the right to know what our country is trading away.
It comes down to this: If the TPP passes, no jurisdiction in any signatory country will have the legal right to restrict ANY business practice unless they are willing to risk being sued in an international tribunal of corporate lawyers for potential lost profits. Corporate courts with corporate lawyers serving as judges would become the highest judicial authority. The corporate attorneys would alternate between representing the corporations AND serving as judges on these tibunals. Local, state, or national governments that have, or pass, laws defending citizens or the environment could face fines or penalties if these corporate courts find that their laws undermine the ability of a corporation to make future profits.
WHO: Floridians against the Trans Pacific Partnership, Central Florida AFL-CIO, Sierra Club Central Florida Group, C.W.A. Local 3108, and the Orlando Light Brigade
Speakers:
Alisa A. Simmons, National Field Director for Public Citizen’s Global trade Watch
Victor Sanchez, Secretary, Central Florida AFL-CIO, President, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA)
Lorraine Tuliano, American Federation of Government Employees, Past President, Central Florida AFL-CIO
Marjorie Holt, Chair, Sierra Club Central Florida Group
Jerry Waxman, Small Business owner, retired member of Actors Equity
Steve Wisniewski, President, Communications Workers of America, Local 3108
Phyllis Hancock, President, A. Phillip Randolph Institute, Orlando, Central Florida
WHAT: A free public forum on the dangers of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Fast Track Authority that could make it the law.
WHEN: Friday, September 27, 2013. 6:30 pm
WHERE: Communications Workers of America (CWA) Union Hall 2220 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, 32804
NOTE: Representatives will be available to talk to the Spanish media
TPP Community Forum – September 27
