Columbians receive Lynn lesson on unions

LYNN – He is highly regarded by their fellow countrymen but Ferney Martinez and Alberto Guerrero said Columbians worry President Barack Obama will sign a trade agreement they claim will hurt the South American nation’s poorest citizens.”We were very happy to hear during the (2008 presidential) he was against it, but we feel he has changed his tone; he has been pressured by big business,” Guerrero said.Guerrero and Martinez are Columbian trade union representatives spending nearly two months in the United States learning about the American labor movement and educating U.S. counterparts about the trade agreement under discussion between this country and Columbia.Obama on June 29 said he is confident that U.S. and Colombia ultimately can reach a deal on the stalled trade pact, despite continuing differences about the killings of labor leaders in Colombia.The International Trade Union Confederation said in a report this month that Colombia remains the world’s deadliest country for labor organizers, with 49 killed last year, up from 39 in 2007 but down from 78 in 2006.Guerrero, who is a member of a union representing graphic design workers, and Martinez, who works in the public sector, said five Columbian labor leaders have been killed in the last month. Another leader survived an attack four days ago.Guerrero said the attacks are committed by “forces on the margins of the law.” He and Martinez said the Columbian government protects some union leaders but offers little or any protection for others.”We want a public investigation so there can be a public discussion,” Martinez said.Colombia is the largest recipient of U.S. aid in the region, getting about $6 billion from Washington since 2000, in mostly military aid meant for combating drugs. But the country is girding for an expected reduction in help due mainly to the global economic crisis.Obama said more progress is needed in the world’s most dangerous country for union organizing, but noted that the number of labor deaths is on a “downward trajectory” while the number of those prosecuted for the “blatant human rights offenses” has gone up.”It is important that Colombia pursue a path of rule of law,” Obama said after White House meetings with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in June.The two union leaders said Uribe signed a law specifiying fines and penalties for murdering union members on the eve of his trip to the U.S. Columbian unions claim the trade agreement will only benefit large Columbian corporations and international firms doing business in Columbia.Obama praised Uribe for leading “admirably on a whole range of fronts,” including reducing the influence of drug cartels and improving Colombia’s economic situation.”He has performed with diligence and courage,” Obama said.But Martinez said many Columbians, including small business owners, have not been involved in the debate in their country over the trade agreement.Martinez and Guerrero said the agreement will hurt small Columbian farmers who do not receive subsidies similar to ones paid to American farmers. The subsidies help farmers survive even though the prices they ask for produce and livestock may be too low to provide a living wage.”It (the agreement) will displace a lot of farmers and small businesses,” Guerrero said.”Columbians invest a lot of hope in Obama,” Martinez said.