Stark Working To Protect
Overtime Pay
Key votes,
continued from page 1.
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The Bush Administration is in the midst of negotiating a new, free trade agreement with Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala. With Congress likely to ratify a final agreement early next year, I joined several of my colleagues on an official fact finding mission to these nations. Our job was to investigate the potential ramifications of this proposed free trade pact, known as the Central America Free Trade Agreement or CAFTA.
In my mind, trade agreements should benefit the citizens of all countries involved. In Costa Rica, the most well-off of these countries, the daily wage is $8.00. In the other countries, it is no more than $3.00. People in these countries desperately need economic prosperity. Unfortunately, CAFTA is a quick fix solution that won’t achieve that goal if it is passed in its current form. Instead, it will only take advantage of a very vulnerable population to exploit workers until cheaper labor can be found elsewhere.
At present, CAFTA is as weak as the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada. That agreement lacked strict, enforceable labor standards which has led to a mass exodus of American jobs. Our community knows this all too well—we lost the Caterpillar plant among others.
Free Trade Agreements Must Protect
Workers' Rights
How to reach PETE STARK
WASHINGTON OFFICE
(202) 225-5065
DISTRICT OFFICE
South of Union City (510) 494-1388
North of Hayward (510) 247-1388
Internet mail address:
petemaildirect@stark.house.gov
Web address:
http://www.house.gov/stark/
This mailing was prepared, published, and mailed at taxpayer
Congressman Pete Stark
39300 Civic Center Dr., #220
Fremont, CA 94538
Stark Opposes $87 Billion Blank Check for Iraq
of Americans to pay for ongoing military operations. This would have saved $125 to $150 billion to finance these Iraq expenditures. Unfortunately, Republican House leaders refused to even allow the amendment to be considered for a vote.
Investments made abroad must be made at home and the sacrifices being made for Iraq must be shared. I will continue to urge my colleagues to hold this President accountable to the American people by demanding a clear strategy for the future of Iraq.
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Silliman Activity Center
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10:30-11:30 a.m.
Marina Community Center
15301 Wicks Blvd.
Noon -1:00 p.m.
Bay Farm Island School
Multipurpose Room
200 Aughinbaugh
