1. Time to Choose:Good Jobs and Strong Communities or NAFTA Times 10?

2. Remember NAFTA? Began in 1994 Includes Canada, US and Mexico Weak protections for workers’ rights and the environment Pits workers against each other

3. NAFTA’s Unfulfilled Promises Promises US: 200,000 new jobs Mexico: higher living standards Realities US: Nearly 766,000 jobs have been lost in the US Mexico: millions of Mexicans living in severe poverty.

4. NAFTA Times 10= Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Expansion of NAFTA to all countries in the Americas except Cuba Expected to be completed by 2005 No meaningful labor rights, environmental safeguards or consumer protections

5. FTAA: A Disaster for Working Families Puts jobs and pro-worker policies (e.g.living wage ordinances) in jeopardy Increases rights and protections for corporations Endangers public services Undermines workers’ wages and benefits

6. FTAA and Manufacturing Workers Rising trade deficits would destroy manufacturing jobs; Companies would move more jobs overseas; Employer threats would keep unions out and wages down; Workers’ rights become sucked into a race to the bottom.

7. FTAA and Public Sector Workers Privatize public services; Outsource jobs overseas more easily; Challenge policies used to protect workers’ rights and union jobs; Reduce manufacturing jobs which drains away state and local tax revenue.

8. Protects Corporate Rights Retains NAFTA’s Chapter 11 Chapter 11 gives corporations the power to sue governments directly for anticipated lost profits For example, corporations can sue governments over laws that protect worker rights and the environment Decisions to protect corporate rights made in secret tribunals

9. Privatizes Public Services Increased pressure to privatize public services such as health care, education and water Corporations who take over the services for profit are accountable to shareholders, NOT clients FTAA could make it difficult for governments to provide basic services for people

10. FTAA Supporters –Chambers of Commerce –National Association of Manufacturers –Transnational corporations –Americas Business Forum

11. Labor’s position on the FTAA Enforceable worker rights and environmental protections in the FTAA; Protection of public services; No special rights for corporations; Transparency in the negotiations and texts of the FTAA; and Active involvement of civil society organizations in the discussions of the FTAA.

12. AFL-CIO Campaign on the FTAA Brochures Ballot campaign Worksite flyers Miami Ministerial activities 2004 elections

13. November 19-21, 2003 Miami Trade ministers representing countries throughout the Americas will meet in Miami Possibly establish FTAA headquarters in Miami

14. Proposed Labor-sponsored Events at the Miami Ministerial AFL-CIO worker forum USWA forum ORIT forum with labor leaders and workers from throughout the hemisphere Cultural night Parade Presentation of the ballots to the trade ministers Labor’s allies will be organizing other educational activities

15. Get Involved! Distribute FTAA brochures Participate in the ballot campaign Organize educational events for members Distribute worksite flyers Work with coalition partners to organize activities during the trade ministerial in November

16. Resources available at www.aflcio.org/stopftaa Brochures Ballots-cast your ballot online! Worksite flyer Sectoral factsheets Policy papers Power point presentation