RESOLUTION ON PROTECTION OF WORKERS IN PANAMA CANAL ZONE

WHEREAS, negotiators for the State Departments of the United States of America and the Republic of Panama have completed a conceptual agreement for a new treaty for the Canal Zone; and

WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO has presented a labor annex to be included in any treaty between the United States and the Republic of Panama for the protection of working conditions and benefits of organized workers; and

WHEREAS, previous AFT Conventions have gone on record to protect the security and working conditions of both organized United States and Panamanian workers in the Canal Zone; and

WHEREAS, the United States negotiators have failed to include such labor annex; and

WHEREAS, the absence of such annex will severely affect the wages, services, and other fringe benefits of all workers, both Panamanian and United States citizens:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers urge that the ratification vote on the treaty provide for a labor annex or in the alternative to have the provisions of the labor annex contained in the body of the treaty; and

RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the President, Secretary of State, to United States Negotiators and to members of the United States Senate.