STOP TTIP

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2016 :: RMTnews 20 This well-researched Campaign Against Euro Federalism (CAEF) pamphlet exposes how the European Union is engaged in secretive negotiations to impose so-called ‘free trade deals’, including the notorious Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the United States, which will fundamentally undermine the democracy and sovereignty of EU member states. These deals are not primarily about trade but removing all ‘barriers’ which restrict the potential profits of powerful transnational corporations. As such they would greatly reduce the ability of governments to invest in local development, impose new limits on the right to democratically regulate on behalf of citizens and the environment, endanger public services and jeopardise labour standards and food safety. A provision known as investor state dispute settlement (ISDS) in these deals allows corporations to sue governments for any laws and practices that threaten their profits. There are already over 3,200 bilateral ISDS agreements in the world, and foreign corporations have used them to sue governments for many billions over ownership of resources, health, safety and environmental laws. Another planned ‘trade’ deal, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada, is equally disturbing. Canada is already one of the most sued countries in the world as ISDS was first included in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada, the US and Mexico and has been used extensively by the corporations in the name of profit. There have been 35 corporate ISDS challenges against Canada which have already paid out over £100 million to US corporations. Foreign investors are seeking another £1.35 billion from the Canadian government in new cases and Canada has already spent over £35 million defending itself from NAFTA challenges. Two-thirds of the cases challenge environmental protection or management of Canadian resources, issues that should reflect the democratic will of the people of Canada. As yet US corporations have never lost a NAFTA case. Even more disturbing, CETA could act as a ‘back door’ for US corporations whether TTIP is adopted or not as these corporations have subsidiaries in Canada that would enable them to use ISDS against EU institutions, national governments and, ultimately, institutions like our National Health Service. Another international treaty raised in this booklet that is causing growing concerns is the so-called Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) which overrides national sovereignty and imposes non-reversible deregulation and privatisation on a wide range of services solely for the benefit of transnational corporations. TiSA removes the right of 52 nations to make employment laws in 37 sectors of the economy and promotes undercutting by cheap imported labour, in a process known as ‘social dumping’, speeding up a ‘race to the bottom’ in terms of wages and conditions. All these treaties would fatally undermine national sovereignty and democracy, destroy jobs and force millions into a downward spiral of poverty. Ultimately this pamphlet reveals that you cannot oppose TTIP, CETA and other ‘trade’ deals without opposing this country’s membership of the European Union. Not least because they would outlaw local authorities’ support of local businesses, allow multinational corporations to sue us if councils deny fracking permits and open up services to privatisation. Over 1,500 councils across Europe have already said they don’t want TTIP and in the UK more than 35 councils have declared themselves TTIP-free zones. To be a part of the resistance to corporate dictatorship you will need this publication. Available from free by emailing bdenny@rmt.org.uk stop ttip “an attack on the very essence of sovereignty and self-determination, which are founding principles of the United Nations” CAMPAIGN AGAINST EURO FEDERALISM Review STOP TTIP