Acknowledging that organized labor stands against him on free-trade legislation, President Clinton Wednesday asked union leaders not to let that one issue ruin their partnership against the Republican majority in Congress.
"We ought to have an open, fair and honest debate," the president told the AFL-CIO's annual convention. "We share too many values and priorities to let this disagreement damage our partnership."Arguing that expanded trade creates jobs and lifts American wages, Clinton said that punishing him and lawmakers who vote with him on so-called "fast track" trade legislation would only hurt labor's bigger agenda.
Of congressional proponents, Clinton said: "If they were to lose their positions . . . who would replace them? And how much harder would it be to get the necessary votes in Congress to back the president when he stands by you against the majority?"
His plea, greeted largely by silence, comes a week after the AFL-CIO spent $1 million last week on radio and television ads opposing Clinton's free-trade proposal on grounds that it will send American jobs to low-wage countries with lesser environmental standards.
Clinton's legislation would give him power to negotiate trade deals that Congress would have to consider quickly and without amendments. His goal is to expand free trade beyond Mexico to other Latin American countries.
"We cannot create enough good jobs and increase wages if we don't expand trade," the president said. About one-third of the economic growth that has produced 13 million new jobs over the past 4 1/2 years has come from selling more American products overseas, he argued.
Many Democrats in Congress oppose the measure, leaving it to Republicans to carry the ball on free trade. Clinton spoke on behalf of Democrats willing to stand with the administration.
After a lengthy accounting of his record on issues dear to labor, such as family and medical leave, and the minimum wage, Clinton raised the issue of free trade - prompting a handful of cries from the back: "No fast track." He silenced the protest by saying, "I think I've earned the right to be heard."
In advance of Wednesday's speech, the White House and the AFL-CIO stressed that there are broad areas of agreement despite the trade discord.