Level the international-trade playing field for American workers

WE are often reminded that Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the nation.

International commerce is the lifeblood of our agriculture, manufacturing and technology sectors, and our workers owe their jobs to healthy trade relationships with other countries. Yet as the current economic crisis is teaching us, regulation and thoughtful policy is needed to ensure that trade fulfills its promise of shared prosperity.

Our congressional delegation has an opportunity to advocate for the workers of Washington state by supporting a comprehensive reform of U.S. trade policy that will increase our competitiveness in world markets while protecting the environment and workers' rights. They should support the Trade Reform Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act, or House Resolution 3012.

This pro-trade bill would establish a fair and balanced trade framework, enabling U.S. workers to compete on a more level playing field with their counterparts in other countries. It also would reduce incentives for companies to move production to countries with low wages and weak environmental protection. The bill requires the enforcement of pre-existing international standards on the environment, labor and human rights and public health. It also requires a thorough evaluation of existing trade agreements and broader congressional oversight of future trade negotiations.

Consequently, the TRADE Act has received near unanimous support from labor unions, as well as environmental and family-farm organizations, including the AFL-CIO, Change to Win, the Sierra Club and the National Farmers' Union. The bill has also received far-reaching support in Congress, where 114 lawmakers from both parties have co-sponsored the legislation. Disappointingly, there has been no support so far from Washington's congressional delegation.

In a July 15 editorial ["Anti-trade bill would hurt Washington state," Opinion], The Seattle Times claims that "workers assembling aircraft, writing software, or moving containers on the docks" would not support the TRADE Act. However, The Times did not do its homework. The truth is that workers in all three of these industries are among the bill's strongest advocates.

WashTech, a union representing 1,100 tech workers in our state — including many from Microsoft — knows that the current model of U.S. trade policy does not help tech workers, and in fact has been hurting them. Our existing trade agreements lead to jobs being exported, rather than goods and services, as companies relocate to countries with lax labor standards. WashTech strongly supports the TRADE Act because it will support American workers, including those at Microsoft.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Puget Sound District Council also disputes the assertion that its 25,000 dockworker members oppose the bill. In fact, longshore workers in Washington see the proposal as an opportunity to rebalance U.S. trade policy and revitalize U.S. industries, leading to more goods being shipped out of our ports.

Boeing workers also welcome the TRADE Act, as it will strengthen the aerospace industry as a whole. The International Association of Machinists District 751, which represents more than 25,000 Boeing machinists, understands how important trade is to Washington state.

However, there needs to be an entirely new model for trade if we are to regain our economic strength in the world. The first step is to throw out the old, failed model that The Times editorial board advocates. The second step is to begin to craft a new model that is based on fairness and allows American workers to compete internationally. American workers should not be forced into a race to the bottom.

Especially in a state so dependent on trade, we need smart trade policy. Now is the time for our state's congressional delegation to get on board with this bill. In doing so, they will be laying the groundwork for sustainable trade for Washington state for years to come.

Jeff Davis represents the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Puget Sound District Council. Larry Brown represents the International Association of Machinists District 751. Rennie Sawade represents WashTech/CWA.