Head Of AFL-CIO In Oregon To Rally Against TPP

By Kristian Foden-Vencil

Published May 18, 2015 at 4:48 PM PDT

Head of the AFL-CIO Richard Trumka was in Oregon Monday to rally opposition against the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

It’s a trade agreement being discussed by the U.S. and 11 other Pacific Rim countries.

President Obama calls the agreement progressive and high-standard.

But Trumka says workers heard the same kind of praise for old trade agreements like NAFTA. "Saying that this agreement's the most progressive on labor rights is sort of like, "I own a car but it doesn’t have any brakes, but you’ll like it, because it’s fast," he said.

Trumka stressed the union is not opposed to all trade agreements, but he said it is opposed to bad trade agreements like this one.

Oregon has emerged as a focus point for this issue.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, is a key supporter and chairs the Senate Finance committee.

Obama came to Oregon earlier this month to rally support.

The Senate is expected to vote on trade promotion authority this week.

It would pave the way for a simple up or down vote on the TPP.

<p>If the Trans Pacific Partnership passes, it covers almost 40% of world gross domestic production.</p> — If the Trans Pacific Partnership passes, it covers almost 40% of world gross domestic production.