Trade and Cross-Border Labor Strategies in the Americas

In response to private sector's utilization of 'free trade agreements' to unbridle corporate investments in union-free environments, North and South American labor unions have attempted at least five types of responses: developing activist networks; campaigning for corporate sourcing codes; advocating trade-based labor standards; coordinating with developing country unions; seeking women's empowerment. After assessing each response, the study evaluates the US Guatemala Labor Education Project as a model that combines them all. It argues that with various degrees of success, such labor strategies extend beyond traditional class boundaries.