Democratic Platform Deals With Textile Issues

James A. Morrissey, Washington Correspondent

The Democratic Party Platform adopted at last week’s convention covers a wide-range of  economic, social and political issues including some of particular interest to US and global textile manufacturers and importers and exporters. While there is little new or particularly exciting in the “Renewing America’s Promise” platform, it does provide a road map for what a President Barack Obama and a Democratic-controlled Congress would like to accomplish.

The 40-page document calls for “Smart, Strong and Fair” trade policies with emphasis on job preservation at home and promoting a better way of life in underdeveloped countries. The document says, “Trade must be an integral part of our overall economic strategy that delivers on the promise of good jobs at home and shared prosperity abroad.” It calls for better enforcement of US trade laws and guarding against unfair trade practices such as currency manipulation, lax consumer product standards, illegal subsidies and violations of worker rights and environmental standards.

Addressing trade issues involving other countries, the platform says, “We must show leadership at the World Trade Organization to improve transparency and accountability and to ensure it acts effectively to stop countries from continuing unfair government subsidies to foreign exporters and non-tariff barriers on US exports.”

Agreeing that there is a need for new trade agreements, the document says any such agreements must open markets for US exports and include enforceable international  labor and environmental standards.  It  calls for “tougher negotiators on our side of the table, who will strike bargains that are good not only for Wall Street, but also Main Street.”

Echoing Obama’s campaign speeches, the documents calls for renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement in an effort to get a better deal for all three parties — the United States, Canada and Mexico. It also calls for renewal of  the bogged down efforts to get a successful Doha Round of trade liberalization negotiations.

The Democratic party leaders say they will end tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas, and they will offer incentives to  encourage companies to keep jobs in the United States.

With respect to US labor relations, the platform makes a strong appeal to strengthen the ability of US workers to organize, and it expresses a long-standing Democratic Party opposition to right to work laws. It also would outlaw permanent replacement of striking workers. The party voices strong support for enactment of an “Employee Free Choice Act” and calls for pro-worker voices on the National Labor Relations Board.

In another area of labor relations, the platform calls for an updated and expanded Trade Adjustment Assistance Act to help workers in industries that are vulnerable to international competition. The new law would include more assistance for retraining, including programs at community colleges and other educational institutions.

Part of the platform’s preamble says: “A great nation now demands that its leaders abandon the politics of partisan division and find creative solutions to promote the common good. A people that prizes candor, accountability and fairness insists that a government for the people must level with them and champion the interests of all American families. A land of resourcefulness has lost its patience with elected officials who have failed to lead.”

September 3, 2008