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DESPITE GORE'S PROMISES, WORKERS ARE STILL HURT BY TRADE By Chris Knudtsen Vice President and potential presidential candidate, Al Gore, has contradicted himself with his proposed plans for educational reform and plans for international trade. Tim Vaccate, a spokesman for the UE (Union Employees,) said that Gore's plan will not help working parents. "Gore has no interest in helping workers," he said, "he's pushing the same globalized economy programs that Clinton is." During a visit to Avondale Elementary School in Columbus, Ohio on Apr. 11, Gore said that the government should raise the minimum wage and encourage more flexible hours in companies to help working parents spend more time with their children. Spending time at home may not be a problem for many workers in the United States, however, as talks about a new China trade bill are continued. The current international trade policies of Clinton's world economy has already damaged the American workforce and labor unions are concerned that more damage may be done by the pending trade agreements with China. Viccate said he is not concerned with having enough time for his family. "I'm more worried about being able to afford to send my kids to school," he said, "I might not have a job in two years thanks to Gore, so I guess I'll have plenty of time to spend at home." Support for the trade agreements with China comes from analysts that believe the agreement will actually give the American workforce a boost by allowing local companies to benefit from the market openings that will ensue. Union officials disagree however, saying that the jobs will go to countries that have less regulated labor policies. Louis Zuccarello, Ph.D., a professor of American government, said that the benefits of the trade agreements will not help most American workers. "The people who are being displaced may not be the ones benefiting from the global economy," he said, "groups like the garment business will be the biggest losers in America." Human rights activists have also expressed harsh criticism of the trade agreements with China because of the labor practices there. Child labor and poor working conditions are common, as well as environmental concerns from companies in China that do not meet the standards of companies that operate in the United States. Proponents of the expanded trade however, argue that China will improve over time. Shawn Shieh, Ph.D., a professor of international politics, said that China's human rights violations will eventually improve if they join the WTO. "Increased trade in China will create a larger middle class who will demand protection of their rights," he said, "and eventually China will have to behave itself in an international economy." The conflict over trade has split the Democrats who are concerned with the upcoming elections. Labor is possibly the party's most active constituency and is crucial to victory in the race against Republicans, which is already expected to be tight. While labor may resist the globalization practices of Clinton, Zuccarello said they will not support the Republican party. "I can't see labor joining with Bush," he said, "Gore is the lesser of two evils."