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Labor Program Aims to Make Trade Work for Working Families

Nov. 30, 1999

Program will explore how to ensure that expanded world trade means better working conditions for all.

How can companies and countries work to ensure that expanded world trade means better working conditions and improved living standards for all?

Leaders in the global labor movement will explore that question at the Trade and Labor Issues Program during the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Seattle, Nov. 30 through Dec. 3.

The forum is one of a series of private sector programs set up by the Seattle Host Organization (SHO), which selected the AFL-CIO to structure and host the event. The program will be Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Westin Hotel.

"The current global trading system has failed working families," said John Sweeney, AFL-CIO president. "Under current international laws, it's easier to take trade action against a company that violates corporate patent laws than against a nation that uses child labor. We look forward to this opportunity to discuss how to make the global economy work for working families."

Sweeney and Bill Jordan, secretary-general of the International Coalition of Free Trade Unions, will welcome panelists who include labor leaders as well as government, academic and business representatives from around the world.

Discussion topics will include Worker' Rights and Development, Promoting Workers' Rights Around the World and New Rules in the Global Economy.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.