Northwest labor press., April 03, 2015, Page 11, Image 11

NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS | April 3 , 2015 | PAGE 11
Though no longer on the
payroll, retirees remain
active in Oregon alliance
Alliance for Retired Americans
opposes TPP free trade deal, says
it will impact prescription medi-
cine costs
By Michael Gutwig
Editor & Manager
Passage of the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP) trade agree-
ment would be bad news for
seniors who buy prescription
medicines, says Richard Fiesta,
executive director of the Al-
liance for Retired Americans
(ARA), an allied group of the
AFL-CIO.
Fiesta was a keynote speaker
at the annual convention of the
Oregon chapter of the ARA,
held March 14 in Portland.
More than 75 people attended.
TPP is a trade agreement cur-
rently under secret negotiation
by the United States, Canada
and 10 other Pacific Rim na-
tions. President Barack Obama
and some members of Congress
want to “fast track” the trade
deal. Under fast track (also
known as trade promotion au-
thority), Congress must hold an
up-or-down vote within 90 days
of when the agreement is pre-
sented. The rules also limit de-
bate and prohibit any amend-
ments.
The AFL-CIO and all of or-
ganized labor opposes the deal,
calling it a “job killer” that cre-
ates an unfair playing field for
workers in the U.S., especially
those in manufacturing.
Focusing on retirees, Fiesta
said leaked text from the TPP
negotiations indicates that phar-
maceutical companies would
have the ability to sue federal
and state governments over drug
pricing policies that are de-
signed to keep health care costs
down. Taxpayer-funded pro-
grams such as Medicaid and
some veterans’ and military
health programs have the ability
to mandate cost reductions and
negotiate lower medicine prices.
“It would make it a trade vio-
lation, and allow pharmaceutical
companies to sue governments
in special international tribunals
that are packed with business
types,” Fiesta said.
According to leaked language
from the negotiations, he said
the TPP could further drive up
costs for retirees by extending
patent protections on drugs, thus
making it harder for companies
to produce cheaper, generic ver-
sions.
“Americans already pay the
highest prescription drug prices
in the world,” Fiesta said. “Se-
niors have a huge stake in this
trade deal.”
Seniors make up 13 percent
of the U.S. population — 1 out
of 8 people are over age 65.
This segment of the population
is responsible for roughly 45
percent of all the money spent
on prescription medicines.
Fiesta said Oregon’s Con-
Richard Fiesta (at podium), executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, speaks at annual con-
vention of the Oregon chapter of ARA.
gressional delegation will play a pose fast track,” Fiesta said. “Go
critical role in the outcome of meet, go write, go stomp, go pa-
the TPP, starting with Sen. Ron rade, go demonstrate, and go do
Wyden (D-OR).
it early and often and soon.
Wyden, who has supported
“Sen. Wyden started out with
most trade deals
the Gray
since NAFTA
Panthers.
(North American
We need to
“Sen. Wyden started out
Free Trade Agree-
get him
with the Gray Panthers.
ment), is the rank-
back to his
We need to get him
ing Democrat on
roots,” Fi-
back to his roots.”
the Republican-
esta said.
— Richard Fiesta
controlled Senate
Executive Director
Finance Commit-
Another
Alliance
for
Retired
Americans
tee. Republicans
conference
(and Obama) need
speaker,
Wyden’s help get-
C h u c k
ting Democratic support in or- Sheketoff, executive director of
der to move fast track — and the Oregon Center for Public
avoid a filibuster. He’s been ne- Policy, told retirees that Ore-
gotiating with committee chair gon’s overall tax system is better
Orin Hatch (R-Utah) to find a than most states. “But, like most
way to deliver the legislation.
states, our tax system is a bit up-
Hatch reportedly wants to in- side down. The wealthiest Ore-
troduce fast track legislation gonians pay a smaller share of
later this month, after lawmak- their income in state and local
ers return from Easter break.
taxes than the lowest income
Fiesta encouraged retirees to earners. And that’s not right.”
“really encourage Wyden to op-
Sheketoff said 393 Oregon
corporations — including 169
profitable ones — paid zero cor-
porate taxes in Oregon. At least
49 corporations that paid zero
had over $1 million in profits al-
located in Oregon.
If today’s corporate tax rate of
6-7 percent was at the same
level it was in the mid-1970s (18
percent), Sheketoff said, Oregon
would have an extra $2 billion
in the state budget without af-
fecting anyone else’s taxes.
In convention business, dele-
gates re-elected officers and
passed a handful of resolutions.
OARA officers are: Scott Blau,
president; Linda Delucia, vice
president; Leanna Hakala, sec-
retary; Geri Nelson, treasurer;
and Ron Rogers and Jane Net-
boy, trustees. The position of
second vice president is vacant.
The alliance passed resolu-
tions supporting an increase in
the minimum wage to $15 an
hour; they called on Congress to
reauthorize the Older Americans
Act; and delegates supported a
state-sponsored retirement pro-
gram as outlined in Oregon Sen-
ate Bill 615 and House Bill
2960.
Delegates also approved re-
organizing from a 501(c)(3)
non-profit charitable organiza-
tion to a 501(c)(4) social welfare
group, under the name Oregon
Alliance for Retired Americans
Education Fund. The change
will allow the retirees group to
be more politically active.
The Oregon ARA dedicated
its luncheon to Gretchen
Kafoury, who died March 13.
The former Multnomah County
commissioner, Portland city
commissioner and state repre-
sentative was tireless in her sup-
port for affordable housing and
equality for women.
Low Prices!
No Fast Track rally April 18
Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9:30-5:30, Sun 12-6
The Oregon AFL-CIO is
sponsoring a statewide day of
action April 18 against the Fast
Track, against the Trans-Pacific
Partnership, and for fair trade.
Marches and rallies will be held
in Portland, Eugene, Bend, and
Medford.
Details are still in the works.
For the latest information, go on
line at www.oraflcio.org/tpp.