UAW opposes China trade deal in Senate
The UAW took our case against approving permanent Normal Trade Relations with China to the U.S. Senate. We pointed out that the bill does not require China to recognize basic worker and human rights and does not protect American jobs against import surges. We also pointed to China's dismal track record in honoring trade agreements.

Senate blocks ergonomics funding
In late June, Senate Republicans amended a spending bill 57 to 41 to block funding for the proposed ergonomics standard (Right R-1, D-40; Wrong R-53, D-3, I-1). President Clinton has promised to veto the bill. The UAW Health and Safety Dept. has testified before OSHA in support of the proposed ergonomics standard to prevent repetitive motion injuries.

Congress protects labor law violators
The House has voted 228 to 190 to block the "responsible contractor" rules proposed by the Clinton-Gore Administration to deny federal contracts to companies that violate labor, civil rights, and other laws. Under current law, federal contracts should only be awarded to companies that demonstrate "business integrity and ethics." The proposed rules would clarify that this includes compliance with labor and other statutes. The UAW and other unions strongly support these proposed "responsible contractor" rules. But the House voted to block them on a largely party line vote (Right R-10, D-179, I-1; Wrong R-203, D-24, I-1)."

Traficant pulls a switcheroo
Rep. James A. Traficant, D-Ohio, made the Democratic goal of taking back the House a little more difficult when he announced he would support the current Republican leadership in the Speaker election for the 107th Congress. That means the Democrats must capture seven seats to install Richard Gephardt as House Speaker.

Zell Miller gets Senate seat
After Sen. Paul Coverdell, R-Ga., died last month, Georgia governor Roy Barnes, D, named former governor Zell Miller, D, to fill Coverdell's position until an election in November. Republicans now outnumber Democrats in the Senate only 54-46.

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