http://rdu.news14.com/content/headlines ... 07&SecID=2

CAFTA opponents cite problems in free-trade pact
Updated: 7/13/2005 5:54 PM
By: Tim Boyum & Web Staff



(RALEIGH) - President Bush visits Charlotte Friday but opponents of a free trade plan are already speaking out about his trip.

The president plans to promote CAFTA or the Central America Free Trade Agreement during his visit.

A crucial vote comes next week in the U.S. House of Representatives and North Carolina has quickly become a focal point of the issue.

Labor leaders from across the state and the nation met Wednesday to speak out about CAFTA.

“CAFTA will only speed up the loss of American jobs and worsen the inequalities and exploitation of workers in Central America,� said N.C. AFL-CIO President James Andrews.


President Bush visits Charlotte Friday but opponents of a free trade plan are already speaking out about his trip


CAFTA would allow the U.S. and Central American countries to trade freely without extra fees.

Supporters believe it will increase companies sales to those countries but labor leaders believe those countries are too poor to buy much and will take American jobs.

“That's why there are only two kinds of people who support CAFTA,� said Ernest Baynard of Americans for Free Trade. “Those who are already out sourcing your jobs and those who want to.�


Baynard made the trip to North Carolina two days in advance of President Bush's visit to Gaston County to convince Tar Heel Congress members to vote no on the idea.

Labor leaders in North Carolina and across the country say it will have a huge impact on the textile industry in particular in North Carolina.

“First of all I think it could very well deal the death blow to what's left of the textile industries in states like North Carolina,� Baynard continued.

“What we're seeing in small towns across North Carolina is people who have not been able to go and get a higher education who always counted on that textile or manufacturing job and now can't support their families,� said Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin (D-Richmond).


She blames that on another trade agreement with Canada and Mexico. She believes CAFTA would have the same effect across the state.

President Bush will tell his side of the story Friday in Gaston County.

The U.S. Senate has already approved CAFTA. The House of Representatives could vote as early as next week. It's expected to be a close vote.