UNISON has praised Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (RCT) Labour Councillors for last night passing a motion condemning the secretive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) as a threat to the provision of local services in Wales.
The TTIP agreement being hammered out behind closed doors by EU and US negotiators increases corporate power at the expense of ordinary people and elected political representatives, undermining the concept of devolution in Wales.
TTIP would mean that a council could not insist on fair wage clauses in its contracts and neither could it ensure there are reasonable environmental protections. It would grant shady arbitration panels the power to overrule the UK court system and undermine health and safety standards.
RCT branch secretary Peter Crews said: “Well done to the local Labour councillors. UNISON has been working closely with them to oppose TTIP which would cripple local democracy.”
A series of local authorities have passed motions condemning TTIP including Cardiff, Flintshire, Lancashire, Brighton and Oxford. UNISON is working with Global Justice Now to encourage other councils to follow this lead.
ENDS
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON press officer on 07816 538397