Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1998 23:37:19 -0600 (CST)
From: Michael Eisenscher <meisenscher@igc.org>
Subject: Canadian Labor Practices Under NAFTA Review
Organization: ?
Article: 50526y To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Message-ID: <bulk.21379.19981220121602@chumbly.math.missouri.edu>

Canadian Labor Practices Reviewed

Associated Press, Friday December 18, 1998; 6:45 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal office charged with implementing a labor agreement under the North American free trade regime is reviewing a complaint about a thwarted union organizing campaign in Quebec -- the first such matter taken up against Canada.

The U.S. National Administrative Office has 120 days to report to Labor Secretary Alexis Herman its findings in the case brought by the Teamsters after a McDonald's franchise closed its doors in response to a recruitment drive.

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement, complaints can be filed against member countries that allegedly fail to enforce their own labor laws. A statement from the U.S. office said the charges raise questions of antiunion activities.

Freedom of association was a principle embraced by the trade agreement, said Irasema Garza, the office's chief.

"We want to look at and understand the Canadian labor law system within the context of those labor principles the U.S., Canada and Mexico endorsed in the NAFTA labor side agreement," she said.

To date, 20 complaints have been filed for review under the labor side agreement.