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Hello
Here is a rather interesting review from "their perspective" of the wonderful "hurdles" the corporate world is faced with in its bid to dominate the planet.
United we "the people" shall succeed!
Jean Hudon
Earth Rainbow Network Coordinator
http://www.cybernaute.com/earthconcert2000
From: "Dave" <dave@asheville-computer.com">>
Subject: FWD: WTO/SEATTLE ACTIVIST COMPENDIUM: alarming window on the future !!
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000
Black, Kelly, Scruggs & Healy
-----------------------------
A Burson Marsteller Company
1801 K Street, N.W.,Suite 901-L,Washington, D.C. 20006-1201
202.530.0500
202.530.4800
January 14, 2000
Dear [Corporate Client]:
Enclosed is our "Guide to the Seattle Meltdown: A Compendium of Activists
at the WTO Ministerial". The "Guide" is a comprehensive listing of the
activist groups which protested against the WTO Ministerial in Seattle
this past November. It lists the groups and their leaders we were able to
identify, descriptions of their ethos (largely in their own words), as
well as web site addresses and other useful information. We wanted to
share this "Guide" with you, not so much as a retrospective on the past,
but as an alarming window on the future.
The spectacle created in Seattle during the WTO Ministerial meeting by a
diverse collection of activists may have significant short-term
ramifications for the business community. The perceived success of these
groups in disrupting Seattle and in contributing to the failure of the WTO
meeting will be a dramatic boon to them in several ways. First, their
victory and heightened visibility will lead to substantially enhanced
fundraising capability. Second, the smell of victory will lead to a
deepening of already existing coalitions and will strengthen the
recognition that broadening such coalitions to include non-traditional
allies exponentially increases effectiveness. Third, the Presidential
election campaign and several likely trade votes in Congress this year
will give activists golden opportunities to seek wider recognition and
gain additional strength. These high profile battles will allow activists
to further institutionalize and consolidate their gains, increase
coordination, gamier greater media attention and expand their targeting of
business interests.
What is less understood -- but perhaps more significant -- is the
potential ability of the emerging coalition of these groups to seriously
impact broader, longer-term corporate interests. Seattle was not an
anomaly and the consistent anti-corporate message of virtually all the
groups who participated there in November is not a temporary phenomenon.
Many have traditionally highlighted alleged corporate misconduct in mass
mail fund raising campaigns. More recently, some environmental groups have
resorted to targeting corporations for contributions in return for
suspending their public ire.
At Black, Kelly, Scruggs & Healey, we have developed a capability
direction of these groups, as well as to defend clients against their
attacks. I hope you find the enclosed "Guide" useful and if you have any
questions, please call me at: (202)530-4805.
Sincerely,
Gardner G. Peckham
Managing Director
Guide to the Seattle Meltdown: A Compendium of Activists at the WTO
Ministerial
"Many of the groups that helped organize the anti-WTO victories in Seattle
are already preparing for days of protest, education, training, and direct
action during the week of April 9-16 in Washington. The week begins on
Sunday, April 9th with a Jubilee 2000/USA mobilization for cancellation of
the debts of African, Latin American, Asia-Pacific, and Caribbean
countries, and continuing with teach-ins and trainings on the global
economy. It will culminate with a massive rally at IMF Headquarters on
Sunday, April 16th 2000."
- 50 Years is Enough web site
"Leaders of the peaceful demonstrations have lashed out at the anarchists,
accusing them of undermining their anti-globalism message by breaking
windows and destroying property. The anarchists in turn accused the
Seattle protesters of protecting the same private-property interests that
the WTO represents.
- The Los Angeles Times
"...the coalition [of labor, environmental and human rights groups that
took to the streets in Seattle to protest the WTO] said that they will
flood over 100 key congressional offices with phone calls and letters and
march on Washington this Spring to prevent passage of NTR for China.
- National Journal's Congress Daily
1) Abya Yala Fund
http://www.ayf.nativeweb.org/contents.htm
Alicia Canaviri, President-, Nilo Cayuqueo, Director
"Fosters greater self-reliance by indigenous peoples through support
of struggles to protect homelands, natural environment and human rights,
to improve health care, to address domestic legislation and international
laws, to obtain access to communications media to improve the conditions
and status of women, to increase economic security, and to revitalize
cultural and spiritual traditions. "The group's focus is on providing
training, grants and technical assistance for self-development projects
that originate in, and are controlled by, indigenous communities and
organizations in Central and South America - not on anti-WTO advocacy. The
web site provides links to the sites of other indigenous groups as well as
sites about anti-globalization and ending corporate Governance.
2) A SEED
http://www.antenna.nl/aseed/contact.html
Action for Solidarity, Equality, Environment and Development. "A global
and diverse action network focusing on a broad range of issues, A SEED
plays a critical role in involving young people in the struggles against
ecological destruction and social injustice." They advocate the use of
public opposition to stop the WTO in the same manner that it was used to
block the " . . . the corporate-driven MAI [multilateral agreement on
investment] agreement. " The web site presents many campaigns and
publications and links to other activist organizations. The group claims
that more than 700 organizations worldwide have signed its on-line
petition against the WTO and are associated with http://www.oneworld.net">.
3) AFL-CIO
http://www.aflcio.org/home.htm">
John Sweeney, President; Linda Chavez-Thompson, Exec. Vice-President
"A voluntary federation of 68 national and international labor unions that
include 13 million working women and men and which espouses a strong
political voice for improving the lives of working families. " The web
site contains plenty of information about the WTO, including a blueprint
for reforming it. The group plans to keep pressure on Congress and the
government against the WTO, the Caribbean Basin Initiative, and normalized
trade relations (NTR) with China. The group is large, very well organized,
and headquartered in D.C. The web site provides many links to the sites of
other labor unions, organizations, constituency groups, the government,
and media. Issues of interest to the group include: environmental
protection, debt relief, poverty alleviation, and investment policy
reforms.
4) Alliance for Sustainable Jobs and the Environment
Tracy Katelman (activist, also part of the Trees Foundation)
5) Amazon Watch
http://www.amazonwatch.org
Lucy Braham, WTO contact; Mark Westlund, U'wa defense working group
contact "Works with indigenous and environmental organizations in the
Amazon Basin to defend the environment and advance indigenous peoples'
rights in the face of large-scale industrial development (oil and gas
pipelines, power lines, roads, and other mega-projects)." The group is
currently focusing on Venezuela, Bolivia/Brazil (against the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation), and Colombia. It is a major opponent of
Occidental Petroleum's drilling on "U'wa traditional land," and on that
issue are very vocal and organized.
6) Anarchist Action Collective
Marshall Kirkpatrick, contact
Based out of Eugene, Oregon, the anarchists state, "Fight back and don't
get caught ...sacking the WTO is just a start. "
7) Black Army Faction and Black Clad Messengers
John Zerzan, contact
Another militant anarchist group based out of Eugene. Oregon. The group
advocates property destruction (against private property) and some of its
members were responsible for much of the damage in Seattle. Zerzan has
authored and edited books and essays promoting "anarcho-primitivism." He
has also participated in speeches, lectures, radio talk shows and 60
Minutes.
8) Chinese Activist Groups
Wei Jingsheng, leading Chinese democracy activist and Fellow at Columbia
University's Center for the Study of Human Rights Wei says that, "WTO
entry for China will either re-enforce the existing system of manipulation
and corruption, or result in chaos, providing no one with a safe, sound,
or fair environment for trade. "
9) Christian Aid
http://www.christian-aid.org.uk
Alex Milner (spokeswoman)
An organization of British and Irish churches, engaged in relief work in
more than 60 countries to Improve lives and tackle the causes of poverty
and injustice". It consists of 3,500 committees around the UK and Ireland.
They have links to church groups, and organizations associated with the
environment, free trade, and free speech.
1O) CISPES
http://www.cispes.org
Jili Dowling, New York contact
Committee In Solidarity With the People of El Salvador. "This year we have
committed to raising $50,000 of material aid to help build a stronger
labor movement and to organize maquila workers in El Salvador. For two
years, CISPES has funded the monthly salaries of FMLAR organizers in
communities with minimal resources. This material aid contributed to the
party's electoral breakthrough in 1997.- the FMLN won the elections in
seven of the eight municipalities where the grassroots organizers were
funded" This group appears very large, as it has a monthly newsletter and
offices across the U.S.. in addition to being affiliated with many other
activist groups.
11) Citizens Trade Campaign
Scott Nova, Director
This umbrella coalition is targeting 100 legislators, focusing on two
key issues: 1) Opposition to permanent NTR; and 2) A campaign to "fix or
nix" the WT0. It supports an annual review of NTR status for China.
12) Consumers International
http://www.consumerinternational.org
Julian Edwards, Director General
"A global federation consisting of some 250 consumer organizations in 111
countries sent over 30 delegates from all over the world to Seattle. They
call for a review of the existing agreements and their implementation
before the WTO undertakes rapid liberalization. They support the
continuation of attempts to resolve trade policy issues in Geneva but
insist they must be met by improved transparency in the operation of the
WTO and involvement in civil society. Edwards was one of the few NGO
leaders asked to speak at the Ministerial. " The web site contains trade
briefing papers and extensive campaign information. The group regularly
monitors various governments' positions regarding the WTO. The group is
based out of London and sponsors the annual World Consumers Rights Day on
March 1-5.
13) Direct Action Network
http://www.agirprop.org/artandrevolution/wto/dan/html
Hillary McQuie, contact
"A network of local grassroots organizations and street theater groups who
are mobilizing communities to creatively resist the WTO and corporate
globalization. Want a new world of free and ecological society based on
mutual aid and voluntary cooperation to replace the current social order."
The network appears very organized. For example, it sold "Resist the WTO"
paraphernalia and even offered maps of downtown Seattle last November-The
group cosponsored the Seattle protests with Global Exchange, RAN, Ruckus
Society, Project Underground, National Lawyers Guild, Mexico Solidarity
Project, 50 Years is Enough, CISPES, Green Party (Seattle), Earth First
(Seattle), and many more. The site provides links to many web sites.
14) Earth Justice Legal Defense Fund http://www.earthjustice.org
Patti Goldman, lawyer
"The law firm for the environment " A 501 (c) (3) organization established
in 1971, it has represented more than 500 clients (national and
international) at no cost, many of which are listed in this document. The
group is currently representing the Sierra Club against the WTO for not
protecting the sea turtle. It also represents Public Citizen in support of
the EU's right to ban the import of meat containing potentially harmful
additives. 'Me group has an office in Washington, D.C.
15) 50 Years is Enough
http://www.50years.org
Njoki Njoroge Njeheu, Director
"US Network for Global Economic Justice is a coalition of 205 grassroots
faith-based, policy, women's, social and economic justice, youth,
solidarity, labor, and development organizations dedicated to the profound
transformation of the World Bank and the IMF."
Based in Washington, D.C., the group organized the IMF demonstration in
September 1999. The group does not seem very large, but it does receive
some press coverage and collaborates with other activists. Njeheu was a
participant at the follow-up seminar in Washington, D.C. last December on
where the activists can go with the Seattle momentum.
16) FOCUS on the Global South
http://www.focusweb.org
Walden Bello, Executive Director; Aileen Kwa, WTO contact
"A program of progressive development policy research and practice,
dedicated to regional and global policy analysis, micro-macro linking and
advocacy work FOCUS works with NGOs and people's organizations in Asia
Pacific and other regions. " The group has a small staff, but has many
other sister organizations such as Third World Network. Bello has authored
many books and is often published in international newspapers. The
organization is based out of the Philippines.
17) French Peasants Confederation
Jose Bove, Leader
Bove is a French goat farmer who tore up a McDonald's restaurant with a
tractor to protest U.S. trade sanctions on Rocquefort cheese. His group
claims to have 40,000 members.
18) Friends of the Earth
http://www.foe.org
Brent Blackwelder, President; Andrea Durbin, Director, international
programs
"... a national environmental organization dedicated to preserving the
health and diversity of the planet for future generations. The largest
international environmental network in the world with affiliates in 63
countries ... are already planning for the longer term [beyond Seattle}."
The group has endorsed Bill Bradley for President. It states that it is
not opposed to the idea of WTO, but believes the rules need to be changed
(i.e. more environmental standards). The group also believes in
maintaining tariffs on forest products and is against biotechnology and
OPIC.
19) Global Exchange
Kevin Danahar, Co-Founder; Medea Benjamin, Co-Founder
"A non-profit research, education, and action center dedicated to
promoting people-to-people ties around the world. Working with Fair
Traders across North America and throughout the world to increase
awareness of Fair Trade issues and to translate that awareness into
consumer activism in the global marketplace. Part of the Fair Trade
Federation, an association of producers, wholesalers, and retailers, that
is launching a major consumer education campaign in the U.S. The
challenge is to make fair trade and corporate globalization an issue in
electoral campaigns, especially in the upcoming presidential race. Another
goal is to block congressional approval of China's entry into the WTO."
The group advocates normal relations with Cuba, and is critical of the
IMF, World Bank, NAFTA, MAI, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and
the WTO. The group appears very well organized and its web site contains
many links to other organizations.
20) Greenpeace
http://www.greenpeace.org
Kristen Engberg, Executive Director
This group has offices in more than 40 countries and claims to have more
than 2.4 million supporters worldwide. Its web site contains links to
numerous environmental organizations. Among the group's major issues are:
Bio-diversity of oceans and forests, climate change, nuclear power, toxic
pollution, genetic engineering and ocean dumping.
21) Humane Society
http://www.hsus.org
Patricia Forkan, Executive Director
This group plans to begin an effort to collect 2001 signatures by the end
of 2001 calling on all governments to stop the WTO from interfering with
national environmental and health safety laws. Its web site offers
educational publications, public-awareness campaigns, and activist alerts.
It is an international and well-known group with headquarters in D.C.
Among its major issues are: Dolphin and sea turtle conservation laws and
hormone-treated beef.
22) Indigenous Environmental Network http://www.alphacdc.com/ien/subject.html
Tom Goldtooth, coordinator
"Coalition of grassroots Native organizations provides national, regional,
local, advocacy on indigenous grassroots and tribal issues concerning
environmental protection, natural resource management, and environmental
health issues. Speak for themselves and are not represented by
environmental groups. Indigenous environmentalists have received a mixed
response on the federal level. " The coalition is in contact with the
media and appears well organized. It has a U'wa Defense Working Group
Action Alert on its web site, as well as links to many other WTO protest
groups and indigenous groups. Its WTO link is:
http://www.alphacdc.com/ien/intellectual_property.html#letters.
23) Indigenous Peoples' Network for Policy Research and Education
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Philippines
24) Institute for Local Self-Reliance
http://www.ilsr.org
Neil Seldman, President; David Morris, Vice President
"Since 1974, ILSR has been dedicated to helping a broad range of citizens
- including grassroots community groups, government leaders, and business
entrepreneurs - develop and implement environmentally sound economic
development strategies. Through research, policy initiatives, coalition
building, and technical assistance, they lay the groundwork for developing
humanity-scaled, sustainable economic systems. " Morris is the author of
many publications and has a regular column in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The group's national headquarters is in D.C.
25) lAMAW
http://www.iamaw.org
R.Thomas Buffenbarger, International President
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Professes
the need to incorporate internationally recognized labor standards into
the rules of the WTO. The IAM will lead the fight for fair trade that
includes basic, fundamental human and labor rights. " IAMAW is a large
union with more than 535,000 members in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico,
Guam, and the Panama Canal Zone. It has recently merged with UAW and USWA
and is affiliated with many other organizations such as: AFL-CIO, Canadian
Labour Congress, Railway Labor Executives' Association, International
Labor Organization, International Metalworkers Federation, and
International Transport Workers' Federation. The organization has its
headquarters in Washington, D.C. The IAM cable TV network has, " . . .
more than 60 cable TV public access channels airing the 10-part series
Working in America. The latest to join the IAM network is the Prince
Georges County Cable TV System in Largo, Maryland".
26) International Brotherhood of Teamsters
http://www.teamster.org
James P. Hoffa, President
This organization is one of the largest labor unions, with 1.4 million
members in the U.S. and Canada. It is committed to defeating MFN and is
planning to lobby Congress and the government extensively against the
WTO. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
27) ICFTU
http://www.icftu.org
Bill Jordan, General Secretary
The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, "has 214 affiliated
organizations in 143 countries, cooperates with the International Labor
Organization and the UN, in addition to having contacts with the WTO,
World Bank and IMF". Some of the organization's issues are: Employment and
international labor standards, tackling the multinationals, trade union
rights, equality, race and migrants, trade union organization and
recruitment. The organization offered a 30-page WTO strategy on its web
site.
28) International Forum on Globalization
Jerry Mander, Director; Victor Mcnotti, Dir. Envirorunent Program
"Founded in 1994 of over sixty activists, scholars, economists,
researchers, and writers formed to stimulate new thinking, joint activity,
and public education in response to economic globalization Most of us view
the process of globalization as the most extreme restructuring of the
planet's social, economic and political arrangements since the Industrial
Revolution, bringing with it profound effects on human life and the
natural world " The group believes the WTO is " . . . one of the world's
most powerful, secretive, undemocratic and dangerous bodies that weakens
democracy". The group's web site offers publications and teach-ins against
the WTO and has links to the sites of many other activists groups listed
here.
29) N02WTO
http://www.infoshop.org/no2wto.html
An apparently well-organized anonymous group of radical anarchists opposed
to the WTO and capitalism. It organized a massive demonstration in Seattle
last November and coordinated many other activists around the world during
the same time. The group's various corporate targets include: Bank of
America, U.S. Bancorp, Key Bank and Washington Mutual Bank, Old Navy,
Banana Republic and the GAP, NikeTown and Levi's, McDonald's, Starbucks,
Warner Bros., Planet Hollywood, and Fidelity Investments (" ...major
investment in Occidental Petroleum, the bane of the U'wa tribe in
Colombia"). They are now planning a four-day worldwide general strike
against capitalism on May 1, 2000 to be held across the city of London.
30) National Labor Committee
http://www.nlcnet.org
Charles Kemaghan, Executive Director
"A human rights advocacy group, dedicated to promoting and defending the
rights of workers. Through establishing long standing working
relationships with non-governmental, human rights, labor and religious
organizations, primarily in Latin America, the NLC puts a human face on
the global economy. The NLC educates and actively involves the public in
actions aimed at ending labor abuses, improving living conditions for
workers and their families and promoting the concept of a living wage and
true independent monitoring." The group targets large corporations such as
The Gap, Nike, Liz Claiborne, Wal-Mart, etc. "A crowded cluttered bunch of
offices in the Garment District consisting of 6 people, direct a militant,
low-budget, much-criticized campaign against the use of sweatshop War by
large companies." -The New York Times
31) National Lawyer's Guild
http://www.nlg.org
Steve Goldberg, Chair, International Committee
"An association dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of
our political and economic system. Aim to bring together all those who
recognize the importance of safeguarding the rights of workers, women,
farmers, and minority groups." The group provided legal materials to the
WT0 activists in Seattle last November. Its web site has links to the
government, legal groups and associations.
32) Oxfam International
http://www.oxfam.org
Penny Fowler, member
"An international group of 11 autonomous non-governmental organizations
sharing the commitment of working for an end to the waste and injustice of
poverty as well as debt relief Works primarily through local organizations
in more than 100 countries. The WTO needs radical institutional reforms in
order to remain credible as a multilateral organization" The group has a
small staff of four in Washington, D.C. that lobbies international
institutions and claims to have influenced House Banking Committee Chair
Jim Leach and Congressman John LaFalce.
33) People for Free Trade
http://www.fairtrade.asn.au
Jeremy Simer, contact
"A voluntary net">-work of individual people, churches and other
organizations in Victoria and Tasmania committed to fair trade with
producers of goods, through the support of education and alternative
trade." This group is very interested in selling tea and coffee in Sri
Lanka and Papua New Guinea. It has links to other fair trade advocacy
organizations.
34) People's Decade for Human Rights Education
http://www.pdhre.org
Malina Mehra, Director; Peter Leuprecht, President; Shulamith Koenig,
Founder
"Develop and advance pedagogics for human rights education relevant to
people's daily lives in the context of their struggles for social and
economic justice and democracy." This group is pivotal in lobbying the
United Nations and has many influential endorsers and advisors, including
former President Jimmy Carter.
35) Peoples' Global Action
"A gathering of peoples' movements fighting corporate globalization."
This group organized a caravan of about two dozen international activists
to protest the WTO in Seattle.
36) Project Underground
http://www.moles.org/ProjectUnderground.html
Danny Kennedy, Director, Steve Kretzmann, Oil Campaigner
This is a non-profit organization in Berkeley, CA that supports
communities "threatened" by the mineral industries. "Working at the nexus
of the environmental, human rights, and indigenous movements, they are
redefining proactive public interest solidarity work for the 21th
century." The group was contracted to work in defense of the U'wa Indians
against Occidental Petroleum. Colleague and fellow activist, Terry
Freitas, was murdered by Colombian rebels. The group appears to be very
well organized and respected. It has been described by The Financial Times
as "a pressure group." Its web site offers many links to sites of
activists, companies, governments and associations.
37) Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch
http://www.tradewatch.org
Joan Claybrook, President; Lori Wallach, Director; Ralph Nader, Founder
"Fights for international trade and investment policies promoting
government and corporate accountability, consumer health and safety, and
environmental protection through research lobbying, public education and
the media." Among the group's issues are: The WTO, Fast Track, AGOA, CBI,
NAFTA, China and MAI.
38) Rainforest Action Network
http://www.ran.org
Randy Hayes, President and Founder
"Works to protect the Earth's rainforests and support the rights of their
inhabitants through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent
direct action. " The group claims to have 25,000 active members working
with environmental and human rights groups in 60 countries. This group is
working to stop "destructive' fossil fuel development by Shell Oil on U'wa
homeland in Colombia.
39) Ruckus Society
http://www.ruckus.org
John Sellers, Director, Han Shan, WTO coordinator
"A non-profit California corporation organized in 1995 to provide training
in the skills of non-violent civil disobedience and direct action to help
environmental and human rights organizations achieve their goals- "The
group's action-camp cosponsors include: International Campaign for Tibet,
Project Underground, RAN, RFK Center, Friends of the Earth and Native
Forest Network. The society does not necessarily advocate issues, it
provides training and support to those who do. Ruckus activities have been
covered and featured by media worldwide.
40) Sheet Metal Workers Union
http://www.smwia.org/html/organization.html">
Michael J. Sullivan, President; Vincent A. Panvini, Director of
Government Affairs
The union consists of 140,000 members in 200 affiliated local unions in
the U.S. and Canada. The headquarters are in Washington, D.C.
41) Sierra Club
http://www.sierraclub.org
Carl Pope, Executive Director
The group's stated mission: "To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild
places of the earth, to practice and promote the responsible use of the
earth's ecosystems and resources, to educate and enlist humanity to
protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environments."
The group's web site contains a "Vote Watch", newsletters, daily updates,
and a magazine.
42) Sierra Club's Responsible Trade Program
http://www.sierraclub.org/trade
Dan Seligman, Director
This group's issues include: Forests, invasive species, rainforests, sea
turtles, food safety, no NAFTA or MAI for Africa. It is located in
Washington, D.C. and its officials have testified before Congress. Its web
site features many books and links to many organizations listed in this
document, in addition to: http://www.jimhightower.com (a progressive populist
radio commentator), http://www.rtk.net/preamble (The Preamble Center) and
http://www.rtk.net/mai.flora.org.
43) Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice
Richard Moore, contact
This group represents low-income, rural minorities. "Objects to the
sweeping powers of the WTO to over-ride the laws of nations, states, and
tribes." The group states that it wants fair trade and "... a WTO with
principles."
44) Third World Network
http://www.southside.org.sg/souths/twn/twn
Martin Khor, Director
"An independent non-profit international network of organizations and
individuals involved in issues relating to development, the Third World
and North-South issues. They represents southern interests and
perspectives at international forum such as the UN conferences and
processes." The group's issues include: The WTO, UTNCTAD, biotechnology,
biodiversity, the environment, human rights, gender issues, health,
agriculture, UN/peace and security, economics, and third world resurgence.
45) UNITE
http://www.uniteunion.org
Ann Hoffman, Legislative Director Chris Chafe, Political Action contact
Union of Needle Traders, Industrial and Textile Employees. "Has fought
aggressively for workers' rights, against sweatshops, and against
corporate greed " This union represents workers in the U.S., Canada and
Puerto Rico. UNITE is against the WTO and has started telephoning members
of Congress opposing permanent NTR status for China, and CBI (has said it
will try to "kill" the bill in 2000). The web site has links to the
AFL-CIO and Congressional sites. The union appears very organized and
offers extensive information on how workers can mobilize to lobby
Congress.
46) United Automobile Workers
http://www.uaw.org
Steve Yokich, President
This group states that it stands for justice for working people. It has an
extensive web site devoted to contacting members of Congress. The union
has joined forces with the Steelworkers and Machinists unions. It is
against MAI, the WTO and MFN.
47) United Farmworkers of America
http://www.ufw.org/ufw/
Rudy Arredondo, Manager in Washington, D.C.
This group advocates "... bringing justice to farm workers". The group
seems to be relatively organized. Its web site provides information on how
to lobby Congress as well as many links to labor unions, the government,
media, contract companies and Hispanic groups.
48) United Steelworkers of America http://www.uswa.org
George Becker, President
"Represents over 700, 000 workers in the U.S. and Canada. One of the most
diversified and effective unions in the nation." The union states that it
will continue to challenge the WTO and supports an annual review of NTR
status for China instead of a permanent one. It has recently merged with
IAM and UAW. Its web site includes information on how to contact members
of Congress.
49) United Students Against Sweatshops
http://www.home.sprintmail.com/~jeffnkari/USAS/
Eric Brakken, organizer
"An international coalition devoted to stopping sweatshop labor. Demand
that their universities take responsibility for the conditions under which
their licensed apparel is made by adopting Codes of Conduct to regulate
the behavior of their manufacturers." The group works to raise awareness
about sweatshops on college campuses across the U.S.