Steel union to protest NAFTA

The United Steelworkers and area labor groups will protest free-trade deals today in front of Rep. Mark Souder’s Fort Wayne office.

Street theater featuring a giant “Toxic Trader” puppet and a rally will start at 3 p.m. at 1300 S. Harrison St. in downtown, a statement from the USW said. The rally will be followed by a march to the Allen County Courthouse.

Steelworkers are protesting because of the support shown by Souder, R-3rd, of recent free-trade agreements with Peru and Chile. The union said the agreements lacked protection for workers and the environment.

“If companies operating in the U.S. must obey these rules, then it’s unfair competition when foreign firms don’t,” the statement said.

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