Tercer
Encuentro de Trabajadores de la Energía
de América del Norte
México, D. F., 16 al 18 de marzo de 2009
Tri-National
Meeting of Energy Sector Workers Call for New Vision to Confront
Economic Crisis
Major Energy Sector Workers Conclude Meetings
in Mexico City
Mexico City / March 18, 2009 – Representatives
from leading energy sector unions and civil society organizations
from Mexico, the United States and Canada met in Mexico City
for the third annual round of meetings. This network formed
in 2007 to confront the secretive and undemocratic Security
and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) being discussed in meetings
of the leaders of the three countries.
Without a set date for next the SPP Summit,
energy sector workers met this year to discuss and share challenges
and strategies of workers and civil society with regard to
the energy sector in the wake of the global economic crisis.
The object of the meeting was to develop a common vision for
energy security in North America, as well as coordination
and an ongoing strategy for solidarity and support.
Mexican and Canadian delegates were critical
of their governments responses to the economic crisis to date
in protecting workers while delegates from the United States
were optimistic about President Obama's stance. Recognizing
the important opportunity to confront climate change, an emphasis
was placed on union involvement in the development of a greener
energy workforce and ensuring fairness for workers. Central
to North America's energy future is a just transition strategy
to protect workers and communities whose livelihoods are threatened
or have been lost in the move away from more intensive forms
of energy extraction and generation.
Members of the tri-national network also
called for the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade
Agreement, in particular the proportionality clause obligating
one country to export renewable and non renewable resources
to another country even in times of scarcity in the country
of origin. This is of particular threat to Canada, which supplies
close to 70% of the oil imported to the United States. Under
NAFTA Canada is prohibited from reducing this supply.
The final declaration from the tri-national
meetings states: "we will move toward union of the movements
in each country in order to address the negative consequences
of trade agreements and neoliberal globalization policies,
and create more just and sustainable conditions for our countries".
Delegates from Canada included: Communications
Energy and Paperworkers Union National President Dave Coles
and Vice President Joseph Gargiso; the Canadian Union of Public
Employees, including Catherine Bert, representing the workers
of Hydro Quebec, local 4250; the United Steelworkers Union;
Common Frontiers; Reseau Quebecoise sur L'Intergration Continental
RQIC; KAIROS Ecumenical Network; and the Council of Canadians.
Representatives from the three countries
recognized that there is no one path to this transition but
that putting the needs of workers is paramount.
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