AFL's Take on China

The AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest trade union, in partnership with the Industrial Union Coalition, a group of 14 industrial unions, has filed a petition with the U.S. Trade Representative asking the Bush administration to adopt trade restrictions against China in order to save U.S. jobs. The petition suggests that the United States could reduce future trade restrictions if China adopted workers’ rights measures. The union coalition argues that China prevents its citizens from organizing trade unions and does not provide safe working conditions or a standard minimum wage.