Fast track's finale could be upon us; make your voice heard!

Confused about where things stand with fast track? You're not alone.

Legislation that began in the Senate and failed its first procedural hurdle made it out of the chamber last month. However, once in the House, fast track failed on its first vote. That is, until its corporate crony supporters rejiggered the rules so they could bring back a different version of fast track that passed the House last week.

So now, the Senate needs to vote on fast track again because the House-approved bill is different from the one the Senate initially passed. The first, and likely most important, vote will probably happen tomorrow.

Fast track foes spoke out against the bill earlier this month.

This legislation's path is convoluted, and that's what its supporters want. But the primary message is not. Fast track will result in thousands of U.S. jobs being shipped overseas, and will lead to a reduction in pay for many of the American jobs that remain in this country. It will allow unsafe food and products to flow freely onto this nation's shores. It won't do anything to stop other countries from manipulating their currency to make their products cheap in the U.S. and ours more expensive overseas. And it will allow foreign corporations to sue America to overturn our democratic laws.

Frankly, it's hard to imagine how the process has gotten to this point. Fast track will allow trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership to be rushed through Congress with little debate and no chance to be amended. That takes the power away from lawmakers. They are left to only rubber stamp trade pacts.

Senators who support fair trade and workers really only have one choice at this point -- vote NO on fast track. But they need to hear from their constituents.

The fight for hardworking Americans could end tomorrow if lawmakers decide to turn away from the people and endorse the views of the powerful. Don't let that happen.

House needs to continue stand against fast track

The House's overwhelming bipartisan rejection of fast track on Friday was a victory for all workers and a sign of the Teamsters' power to effect change when members of this union and our allies come together to challenge poor policy. But brothers and sisters, we're not done yet.

The Teamsters would like to thank all lawmakers who stood with the people in that important vote. Pro-fast track lawmakers, however, are likely to pull out every procedural trick in the book to overturn it. That could mean taking another vote on Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) as early as tomorrow. So that's why those standing up for hardworking Americans can't rest. Not yet, anyway.

As Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said best:

The Teamsters and others who stand with American families must remain resolute. Corporate cronies are likely to try to get TAA and fast track through the House again as soon as [this] week. Workers’ voices need to continue to be heard on Capitol Hill.

TAA, which was legislatively linked to fast track by trade proponents in an effort to ease passage, blew up in their faces. And rightfully so. Fast track is unpopular for good reason -- it will ship American jobs overseas and threaten our food and water. Why should lawmakers approve worker training through TAA when they can vote to ensure workers won't lose their jobs from deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in the first place?

House members should again reject TAA for the same reasons they did last week. The measure doesn't help public sector workers who could lose their jobs due to trade and it doesn't provide enough funding for training. TAA shouldn't be used as a bargaining chip to provide cover for continuing the current failed trade model.

Remember, a vote against fast track and a vote against TAA is a stand for working families and American jobs.