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The Latest on the Trans Pacific Partnership

?NAFTA on steroids? talks move to New Zealand

Twenty-three U.S. Senators, led by Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.), have called on President Obama to make certain that any agreement includes specific provisions to protect American jobs.

TPP hasn't gotten a lot of attention, mainly because it's being negotiated in secret, with no real public or congressional input. While some groups have been permitted to view individual proposals, on worker standards, for example, only the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and business community have been able to review and comment on the entire document. More than 600 major corporations have had access to all stages of the process and are actively lobbying for their interests.

CWAers, Sierra Club and Citizen Trade Campaign activists, and other progressive allies, have been demonstrating against this major trade giveaway at every U.S. round of talks.

Most recently, more than 200 people rallied in December at Peace Arch Park, which straddles British Columbia and Washington State, to focus attention on the latest closed door talks to be held in New Zealand. The rally included union activists, family farmers, immigration reformers, public health advocates, environmentalists, students, small businesses and more.

CWAers and progressive activists demonstrate at the round of TPP talks in Leesburg, Va.
CWAers and progressive activists demonstrate at the round of TPP talks in Leesburg, Va.

Don Lewis, president of CWA Local 2222, said CWAers from several locals turned out In Leesburg, Va., registering as "stakeholders" and using that opportunity to talk with negotiators and their staff about the impact of TPP on jobs and working conditions.