Track Closed

President Clinton sought Fast Track authority from Congress so that he could negotiate trade deals without having to worry about congressional review. Congress would only have been able to vote yes or no. And the bill did not protect worker rights — only the rights of investors and corporations.

The last time President Clinton had Fast Track authority he negotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which has caused the loss of thousands of U.S. jobs to foreign producers.

AFSCME members joined the united labor movement in opposing Fast Track. They contacted their representatives in Washington and urged them to oppose the bill. Without enough votes to win, Fast Track supporters did not call for a vote, and the bill died.

By helping to defeat Fast Track, AFSCME members stopped a piece of legislation and saved thousands of U.S. jobs.