Faith, Labor and Environment Together

OCFT is an organization of individuals who share a commitment to address the increasingly autocratic corporate globalization agenda as manifested through international trade and investment agreements and the Bretton Woods Institutions (World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization). Some of us represent faith groups (eg., Catholic Conference), labor groups (eg., Ohio AFL-CIO), and environmental groups (eg., American Lands Alliance and Sierra Club). Others are involved as individuals committed to responsible citizenship.

We chose the name “Ohio Conference on Fair Trade” because we are committed to understanding and influencing the current conditions of international trade and investment, and we seek to support policies that promote a just and sustainable economic order.

We mirror a national effort to collaborate and cooperate as faith, labor and environmental groups offering a better future. We are deeply concerned about the supremacy of an economic agenda that dictates profitability and the expendability of people and the natural world. We stand in solidarity with people throughout the world who say, “A different world is possible.”

OCFT is a network for sharing information, engaging in the political process, educating ourselves and others, and supporting each other in growing this world-wide movement. We welcome all persons and organizations that share these commitments.

OCFT meets monthly at the Ohio AFL-CIO offices at 395 E. Broad St in Columbus. At our meetings, we update each other on current issues and pertinent legislation, assist each other with projects and individual and organizational initiatives, organize for action on upcoming meetings and/or legislation, share announcements and opportunities for involvement, and strategize on next steps for building local presence and collaboration with potential partners.

OCFT is committed to working with the political process. A sample of our efforts includes:

Fall ’01, Winter/Spring/Summer ’02-Lobbying Ohio’s Senators and selected U.S. Representatives to vote against Fast Track legislation. Lobbying efforts included visits and phone calls with members of Congress, letters to the editor, and rallies.

Feb. ’02-Several members participated in the teach-in and march in NYC to protest the policies of the World Economic Forum.

Sep. ’02-Lobbying selected members of the Ohio delegation in the U.S. House on legislation to limit or restrict funds to the IMF and World Bank.

Fall ’02--Lobbying the Ohio delegation and Pres. Bush to impose steel tariffs, given increasing U.S. steel mill bankruptcy filings.

Jason Tockman maintains a listserve to inform all interested persons about OCFT meetings and events. Contact him by to receive these notices.

Marilyn Welker is the Responsible Trade representative for the Ohio Sierra Club.