Gov. Howard Dean's answers to the AFL-CIO candidate questionnaire

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Good Jobs and a Strong National Economy

Employment/Unemployment
What steps will you take to revitalize America’s manufacturing sector?

As President, I will work to eliminate tax policies that provide incentives for American firms to move manufacturing jobs offshore, and to assure that all trade agreements incorporate labor and environmental protection standards. I will propose new ways to help small businesses, especially small manufacturing businesses, access the capital they need for growth, job retention and plant modernization, so that they can compete successfully in the global economy. I will also support increased funding for workforce training.
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Globalization/Trade
What will you do to ensure that global trade and international economic development promote workers’ rights, good jobs and workers’ well-being?

I support fair trade. I would not negotiate trade agreements that do not include meaningful labor, environmental, and human rights protections. I would not pursue trade policies that undermine important U.S. laws and regulations, especially those that protect American workers. I will vigorously enforce anti-dumping laws.

Do you support or oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), based on the NAFTA model that has created import surges that cost jobs and does not require enforcement of internationally recognized workers’ rights?

I would oppose any trade agreement that does not require enforcement of internationally recognized workers' rights.

Would you support or oppose any further rounds of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements that do not make substantial progress on incorporating internationally recognized workers’ rights or fully protect U.S. trade remedy laws?

I would oppose any further rounds of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements that do not make substantial progress on incorporating internationally recognized workers' rights.

What will you do to address the trade imbalance with China and promote internationally recognized rights for Chinese workers?

I am deeply concerned about the effect of Chinese labor practices on the U.S. job market. There is a direct relationship between the growing trade deficit and the loss of American jobs. U.S. trade policies must limit the flow of jobs to countries with weak labor standards - jobs that moved from the United States to Mexico are now moving to China. I would be especially vigilant in ensuring that any trade agreements with China include labor, environmental and human rights protections. I would also ensure that such agreements protect U.S. trade remedy laws.
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Corporate Accountability
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What can be done to address runaway executive compensation, including stock options and retirement benefits?

I was outraged when the CEO of American Airlines recently asked union members to sacrifice wages and benefits as part of a company-wide restructuring, while he was secretly protecting his own compensation package. As President, I will pursue policies that address the growing gap between executive pay and worker salaries. For example, I would explore proposals to limit the tax deductibility of grossly disproportionate executive compensation.
(...lots more...)
http://www.aflcio.org/issuespolitics/politics/candidates_dean.cfm