Unifor outlines NAFTA priorities with U.S. and Mexican governments

OTTAWA, Sept. 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Today Unifor outlined its NAFTA priorities with the U.S. and Mexican governments, in an open letter to United States Trade Representative Robert  Lighthizer, and in a meeting with Mexico's Ambassador to Canada Dionisio Pérez Jácome Friscione. 

"NAFTA is a non-starter without trilateral commitment and compliance to higher labour standards," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "Today we clearly stated our concerns to both countries and stressed the needs of all working people."

The union's open letter to USTR Lighthizer stated in part "No amount of signaling, or posturing, will serve a purpose unless the terms of the deal deliver meaningful, demonstrable and enforceable provisions to improve work standards throughout the continent."

The full letter is available at unifor.org/NAFTA.

Unifor also opened a dialogue with Mexico today as Dias held a face-to-face meeting with Mexican Ambassador Pérez Jácome.

"The meeting was very positive," said Dias. "I appreciated the opportunity to have a frank and open discussion with the Ambassador on the auto sector, and on raising labour standards for Mexican workers in general."

The meeting took place in Ottawa where round three of NAFTA renegotiations continue.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor