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Sweatfree in the New Economy

November 25, 2008

On November 4, 2008, the prison doors of the trickle down, free-market
thinking that has captivated official U.S. economic imagination for
decades slid open a crack.  On November
5, leading media affirmed that the unfettered market does not necessarily produce
social and economic wellbeing, but may breed insecurity and risk, sweatshops
and exploitation, global warming and pollution. 
The New York Times, for example, proclaimed that Mr. Obama won the
election because of the “utter failure of government to protect its people,” observing
that government indeed has an important role in regulating the economy fairly in
order to safeguard common goods such as healthcare, education, and the

Building a Local Economy that Works for All

November 24, 2008

As the group drew up long lists of existing
community assets, it became clear that at least many parts of the vision are
quite possible and attainable; some are already in process. Already the Pioneer
Valley is home to a number of locally-owned small businesses, some with
progressively-minded owners. A Valley Alliance of Worker Cooperatives connects
worker-owned businesses with each other. The region hosts many organizations
that promote green building, alternative energy production and usage, and dozens
of successful Community-Supported Agriculture farms providing produce, dairy,
and meat to families around the region.

Union Busting and Precarious Work Is not the Answer to Sustainable Development

November 20, 2008

"Global patterns such as casualisation and contracting-out are emerging, which pose a major threat to working men and women right across the globe.  As the global economic situation worsens, this threat can be expected to spread wider and deeper, and governments need to act responsibly to ensure secure, decent jobs at a time when working people, and the revitalization of the world economy, most need it," said General Secretary of the ITUC, Guy Ryder.

ALL Workers Have Rights on the Job in the US

November 20, 2008

Further reading of
the article explains that the employers lied to employees, forced them to take
separate paychecks to avoid paying over-time, and refused to pay them for all
of their time at work.  And while this
company has been forced to pay for their crimes, most similar factories are
banking on the fact that while all workers have rights on the job, most
undocumented immigrants are too scared to speak up.  Employers know that it’s a game of chance and
they may end saving more on labor costs in the long run, even if they are
caught and receive a fine.

Elizabeth Garcia Carrillo speaks at the CRLN Luncheon

November 17, 2008

In March 2008, Elizabeth Garcia Carrillo testified in front
of US Congress to explain the negative impact of the US-Colombia Free Trade
Agreement on indigenous and Afro-Colombian populations. According to Carrillo,
98% of the indigenous population in Colombia disapproves of the agreement. She
confessed her experience in front of Congress was "marvelous" because
it was an opportunity for the people of Colombia to share their story.
Carrillo congratulated the crowd on the newly elected US President, followed by
a roar of applause, and stated that the chance to change US policy in support
of Latin America is "at our fingertips".

Update on Possible Lame Duck Vote on the Colombia FTA

November 12, 2008

Newly designated White House Chief of Staff Rahm
Emanuel challenged President Bush to not focus on the FTA, arguing that the
priority is to extend unemployment insurance and healthcare assistance to
economically-embattled states.  "You don't link those essential needs
to some other trade deal," explained Emanuel. "What you have to deal
with is what's immediate here, and the lame duck is for immediate things that
are important. That's what should be the focus, right now. There's an economic
recovery package in front of the Congress. Washington should get it done."

Who is Larry Summers?

November 7, 2008

Meanwhile, Summers is infamous for a memo he wrote while he was chief economist at the World Bank encouraging the dumping of more waste in Africa.  One of his arguments is that any health consequences related to toxic pollution should be put on low wage countries because it will have a lower long-term economic cost.  He also argues that since the life expectancy is lower anyway in Africa, it makes sense to dump trash there.  Yikes.  As the media has been picking up again on this story, I couldn't help but think about recent campaigns fighting

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