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ARTICLE · 17 DECEMBER 2019

USMCA On The Way? (Beltway Buzz, 12/13/2019)

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart
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USMCA on the Way? Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle claimed victory this week over what appears to be a breakthrough in negotiations over the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement

United StatesEmployment and HR
James J. Plunkett
James J. Plunkett
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The Beltway Buzz is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what's happening in Washington, D.C. could impact your business.

USMCA on the Way? Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle claimed victory this week over what appears to be a breakthrough in negotiations over the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade agreement. Of particular importance to the Buzz are two significant labor-related changes that appear to be catalysts in breaking the logjam. The first is the lowering of the standard for triggering the labor dispute mechanisms in the pact. The second matter is the creation of a "Facility-Specific, Rapid Response Labor Mechanism" to address allegations of violations of workers' rights to free association and collective bargaining. Obviously, there is a lot to unpack here, and the Buzz will have more on this issue as it unfolds. But in the meantime, we offer a word of caution:

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