CWA Commends U.S. Trade Representative's Action on ISDS Arbitrations

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has applauded the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) decision to interpret standards of investment protection under the United States-Colombia TPA, which aims to prevent the worst abuses of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) arbitrations. The CWA believes that this move will protect workers, both at home and abroad, by placing important guardrails on ISDS arbitrations.

Misinterpretations of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement have allowed unscrupulous corporations to undermine labor, environmental, and public health protections, making it easier for companies to ship jobs overseas. The CWA commends U.S. Trade Representative Tai for taking bold action to address these issues and ensure that ISDS arbitrations are fair and balanced, protecting the interests of workers and communities.

The CWA represents working people in various fields, including telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other industries. The union is committed to advocating for the protection of workers' rights and ensuring that their voices are heard in the workplace and in the broader economy.

The CWA's stance on ISDS arbitrations aligns with its broader labor advocacy goals, as it prioritizes the protection of workers' rights and interests, both domestically and internationally. The CWA commends the USTR's decision to place guardrails on ISDS arbitrations, as it prevents unscrupulous corporations from exploiting loopholes to the detriment of workers' rights. By advocating for fair and balanced ISDS arbitrations, the CWA is working to maintain a level playing field for workers and prevent corporations from undermining labor standards.

The CWA is concerned that misinterpretations of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement have allowed corporations to undermine several labor, environmental, and public health protections. These include:

• Labor Protections: Corporations may challenge laws or regulations that protect workers' rights, such as minimum wage laws, health and safety standards, or collective bargaining rights. This can lead to a race to the bottom in labor standards, as companies seek to operate in countries with the weakest protections.



• Environmental Protections: Corporations may challenge laws aimed at protecting the environment, such as those related to climate change, pollution, or resource conservation. This can lead to environmental degradation and harm to public health.



• Public Health Protections: Corporations may challenge public health measures, such as those related to tobacco control, drug pricing, or healthcare reform. For instance, pharmaceutical companies have used ISDS to challenge laws aimed at reducing drug prices or promoting generic competition. This can lead to higher healthcare costs and reduced access to life-saving medications.

The CWA urges the USTR to continue taking action to prevent the worst abuses of ISDS arbitrations and ensure that trade agreements do not undermine labor, environmental, and public health protections. By doing so, the USTR can help to protect workers, both at home and abroad, and promote a more sustainable and equitable global economy.

In conclusion, the CWA commends the USTR's decision to interpret standards of investment protection under the United States-Colombia TPA, as it aims to prevent the worst abuses of ISDS arbitrations and protect workers' rights. The CWA urges the USTR to continue taking action to ensure that trade agreements do not undermine labor, environmental, and public health protections, and to promote a more sustainable and equitable global economy.