Gretchen Newsom Gives Union Perspective on the TPP Trade Deal

Gretchen Newsom of IBEW Local 569 discusses TPP

Have you heard about the “TPP” and wondered why there is so much disagreement among Democrats, Labor and our President about it? Gretchen Newsom, Political Director of the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 569 in San Diego spoke to our club members at our monthly meeting about the current trade deal with Asia currently under negotiation.

To set the stage for common understanding, Gretchen explained why this is so important – this trade deal is the largest ever negotiated in global history, covering 40% of the global economy affecting 792 million people. She then unraveled the confusion around what the various acronyms such as TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership), TPA (Trade Promotion Authority) and TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance) mean.

Currently, the President and his representatives from the State Department are in negotiations with 12 other Asian countries on a far reaching…