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(AMM) Colombia free-trade pact under fire

April 09, 2011 - 15:50 GMT Location: Pittsburgh

KEYWORDS: Colombia , free trade agreement , Tonelson , Gerard , USBIC , United Steelworkers , scott robertso

The battle lines are being drawn over a proposed free-trade agreement between the United States and Colombia, with key labor unions and industry lobbyists on one side and the two governments on the other.

The Obama administration reportedly has concluded a free-trade agreement with Colombia, although no formal announcement has been made.

The United Steelworkers union has opposed such an agreement since President George W. Bush signed one with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in 2007. USW president Leo Gerard says Colombian labor, which has been targeted in numerous violent crimes, also opposes the deal.

The USW said the reality on the ground in Colombia has not changed since the 2007 deal, with 52 unionists killed last year alone. Only 5 percent of the more than 2,800 union killings...

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