The question of whether or not to give China Most Favored Nation Status (now called Permanent Normal Trade Relations--PNTR) has begun a battle of epic proportions in and around Congress. It has shaped up as a showdown between the multinational corporations that are chasing China’s miserable wages, and our Rapid Response network, other unions, human rights organizations, and religious groups who maintain that based on it’s inhumane treatment of workers and other citizens, China should not get NTR.

In all of the rhetoric surrounding this face-off, one thing is certain: the multinationals are sparing no expense to have their way with Congress. The Business Roundtable (a group made up of major American CEO’s), Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers and other business groups have dedicated over $15 million to help pass PNTR. They are buying television advertisements to mislead the public and are visiting legislators in their congressional offices. They are telling congresspersons that if they don’t support PNTR, big business will not contribute money to their campaigns for re-election. They are trying to buy this vote.

Although big business has big money to throw at these legislators, we can make our voice heard in other ways, like our current action. Through personal notes, we are asking legislators not to let China off the hook for its worker and human rights violations.

To date, we have sent over 100,000 personal notes to legislators asking them to not support PNTR. Although we have a great start to our current action, we must not become complacent. Continue getting your notes written and handed in to your local union coordinator, and don’t hesitate to stop by your congresspersons’ office to let them know how you feel. NO PNTR FOR CHINA!!