LABOR OPPOSES MONETARY FINES TO ENFORCE U.S.-JORDAN DEAL

Union representatives are planning to mount opposition to a proposal under discussion by House Republicans and the Bush Administration to craft a side letter to the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement that would stipulate its labor and environmental provisions, along with its trade policy obligations, are enforceable through monetary fines, according to informed sources. Trade agreements traditionally enforce their obligations with trade sanctions. The AFL-CIO is planning to communicate its opposition to the fines idea to Congress in the coming weeks,...