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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2006)
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The Credit Union will also be accepting donations of new or gently used coats, sweaters, and blankets. PO Box 16877 9955 SE Washington St Portland, Oregon 97292 www.ibewuwfcu.com 800-356-6507 or 503-253-8193 Electricians, Carpenters, Laborers, Glaziers, Sheetmetal Workers, Floorcoverers, Bricklayers, Cement Masons, Roofer, Asbestos Workers, Family, Mill Wrights, Painters, Elevators, Plasterers In April, the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai submitted a detailed set of objections, criticizing the proposed law for “excessive strict- ness.” “Our member companies have ex- pressed reservations about the draft in its current form,” the Chamber wrote. “Many AmCham (American Cham- ber) Shanghai member companies are concerned that, as the draft stands, it is a step backwards for Chinese eco- nomic reforms — away from global trends of flexible labor markets.” It would be better that the national legislation “not be too detail-oriented,” said the Chamber, and “for local au- thorities to work out such details ac- cording to local situations.” The pro- posed law is based on the practice of developed countries, said the Cham- ber, but “people must … not try to run before they could walk.” Proposed seniority protections would amount to a “discriminative policy toward new employees.” Instead, the Chamber said, business enterprises should “con- tinuously apply the policy of ‘survival of the fittest’ on employees.” If the draft becomes law, the Cham- ber wrote, it would put China at a dis- advantage in competition with other countries and could lead foreign in- vestors to go elsewhere. The American Chamber represents 1,400 corporations, including 150 of the Fortune 500, such as Oregon-head- quartered Nike. Nike spokesperson Derek Kent told the Northwest Labor Press the Cham- ber didn’t consult the company before delivering the comments to the Chi- nese government. In light of Nike’s professed commitment to corporate re- sponsibility, Kent said Nike supports governments’ enforcing and strength- ening laws that protect workers. But Nike has no plans to tell the Chinese government that, and it’s “neutral” on the Chamber’s position. Nike doesn’t employ manufacturing workers in China — or anywhere else — Kent said, because Nike products are made by contractors. In the spring, Nike held an information session to let its key contract factories know about the pro- posed law and comment period.. The American Chamber’s com- ments, posted on its Web site, were re- ported in several foreign newspapers, including a June 24 article in the Lon- don Guardian caught the attention of staff at Global Labor Strategies, a non- profit research and analysis group that works closely with unions and other groups. “It’s easy to blame China, but really it’s the U.S. corporations doing busi- ness in China that are the dominant players,” said GLS staffperson Tim Costello. “We tend to say we’re trad- ing with China. We’re trading with GE and Wal-Mart.” GLS decided to publicize the role of U.S. business in lobbying against Chinese labor law improvements. That led to an Oct. 13 article in the New York Times. Some members of Con- gress read that article, and were an- gered by what they saw. Led by U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey of California, 27 members of Congress signed an Oct. 31 letter call- ing on President Bush to support China’s moves to reform its labor law, and “publicly repudiate” the efforts of U.S.-based corporations to weaken workers’ rights in China. Oregon Con- gressman Peter DeFazio was one of the signers. With Democrats in the majority come January, there’s talk of a hearing that could embarrass American com- panies for their China stance. Meanwhile, observers familiar with China expect the government to move ahead with the law, probably early next year. Electricians, Carpenters, Laborers, Glaziers, Sheetmetal Workers, Floorcoverers, Bricklayers, Cement Masons, Roofer, Asbestos Workers, Family, Mill Wrights, Painters, Elevators, Plasterers (From Page 2) Glaziers, Carpenters, Laborers, Electricians, Sheetmetal Workers, Floorcoverers, Bricklayers, Cement Masons, Roofers, Asbestos Workers, Family, Mill Wrights, Painters, Elevators, Plasterers DECEMBER 1, 2006 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS PAGE 3
