A Resolution Opposing the Enactment of Harmful Federal Trade Agreements
Whereas, on June 29, 2015, the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA) was signed into law, providing the federal government "fast-track" powers to conduct and conclude federal trade legislation; and
Whereas, the federal government is currently considering the approval of several proposed trade agreements, to wit: the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement ("TPP"), the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Agreement (TTIP) and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA); and
Whereas, TPP negotiations have been completed, and the final agreement is awaiting Congressional approval; and Whereas, the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and United Steelworkers (USW) are encouraging communities nationwide to pass resolutions opposing these proposed trade policies, in particular the TPP with a exacting focus on the negative impact on labor rights and rules; and Whereas, the TPP concerns matters of public policy and fails to meet its stated goals "to promote economic growth, support the creation and retention of jobs, enhance innovation, productivity and competitiveness, raise living standards, reduce poverty in countries, and promote transparency, good governance, and enhanced labor and environmental protections"; and
Whereas, the TPP critically fails to address currency misalignment, contains feeble auto rules of origin and inadequate state-owned enterprises provisions, provides extraordinary rights to foreign investors and pharmaceutical companies, undermines Buy American Act, weakens labor, environmental, health, food safety and financial laws, allows challenges to our laws in international tribunals rather than our own court system, and includes a labor framework that has proved itself ineffective, resulting in the certain risks of TPP outweighing its speculative and limited benefits; and Whereas, the proud history of Chicago's labor movement is the history of workers fighting unfair trade practices; and Whereas, TPP will put at risk Chicago's manufacturing base and bring further disinvestment like the recent closing of the Mondelez Bakery at 7300 S Kedzie which resulted in over 600 layoffs; and,
Whereas, given the enactment of the TPA, citizens have little opportunity to correct shortcomings of these proposed trade policies and Congress cannot follow normal Congressional procedure that permits full hearings and amendments; and
Whereas, the City Council of Chicago opposes the enactment of harmful federal trade agreements and desires to call upon our Congressional delegation to oppose the same. Therefore, Be It Resolved by the City Council ofChicago that:
1) The City of Chicago respectfully calls upon Illinois' Congressional delegation to oppose the TPP as currently
negotiated, and any similar proposed trade deals, such as the TTIP and TiSA, if they fail to restructure the misguided and
failed policies ofthe past; and
2) The City of Chicago calls upon our Congressional delegation to support new trade policy that truly promotes economic
growth; avoids favoring foreign companies over domestic producers; promotes high standards of protection for
workplaces products, and natural resources; supports the creation and retention of jobs; enhances innovation,