John Sweeney

Sweeney: Well, I think that globalization is important to our economy, but I also think that we really have to provide for workers in turn. They are the ones that are a major part in the successful economy. They are the ones that are being asked to make sacrifices in the financial crisis. Its about time that we pay more attention to workers - worldwide - this includes human rights as well as labor standards and environmental protection.

Sweeney: With us here today and playing a major role is Philip Jennings who leads an organization, an international organization called FIAT. They are based in Geneva and they are coordinating the solidarity of the labor movement around the world and they are really taking the lead on these issues internationally.

Sweeney: Well, you know we have to realize in many of these economic situations that we are talking about . . . Workers are suffering. They are losing their jobs or they are being exploited, and it's about time that these leaders of Congress and industry hear the story of what working conditions are like, and that they are reminded that they have a role to play in terms of addressing the issues of workers.

Sweeney: Oh I think we are getting a good reaction. I think that people are thinking more about these issues.

Sweeney: I’m not sure what we could attribute the relationship to, but its well known that child labor, the exploitation of children and sweatshop conditions are becoming more common in so many countries, including our own. And I think that that is an issue that the labor movement has to fight against very strongly. And I think that business has a responsibility to address those issues.

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