Unger urges action be taken to protect against toxic imports

by: WVaBlue

Thu Jan 17, 2008 at 10:13:04 AM EST

For Immediate Release: January 16, 2008

Unger urges action be taken to protect against toxic imports

CHARLESTON - Senator John R. Unger II (D-Berkeley) urged a caucus of West Virginia legislators today to take action in protecting their families, homes, workplaces and communities from toxic imports. The caucus was held in conjunction with the United Steelworkers nationwide day of action to draw attention to the need for trade regulations that will prevent imports of toxic goods and the enforcement of current trade laws.

"During this national day of action, I support the United Steelworkers in their demand for the immediate protection from the dangerous threat posed by the millions of lead-laced toys and other unsafe products infiltrating our country," Unger said. "It is time for a fair trade policy that creates new business and good paying jobs at home and puts an end to the global exploitation of cheap labor."

Unger also introduced a concurrent resolution (SCR 20) today in the West Virginia Senate urging the United States Congress to pass legislation to protect the American public from toxic imports. The resolution states that bad trade deals have lowered standards and harmed workers in the environment in the United States. Unger believes the time is now to change course and insist that trade deals bring world standards up everywhere for product safety, labor and the environment.

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