Purpose

In conducting its work, the Bureau of International Labor Affairs seeks advice from outside experts. Forming the National Advisory Committee (NAC) for Labor Provisions of U. S. Free Trade Agreements is one way of channeling external advice from key stakeholders into ILAB free trade agreement policy. Advisory committees are a well-regulated way of soliciting public input that is consistent with the goals of U.S. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The NAC provides advice on how to better implement the labor provisions of any FTAs that the U.S. signs, and on related submissions received under these agreements.

The Department of Labor regularly reviews the charter of the NAC, and on February 27, 2017, the Department renewed the charter, deeming it necessary and in the public interest by providing information that cannot be obtained from other sources. Members are asked to serve for a period of two years. On September 5, 2015, the following 12 members were appointed to serve for two years.

Membership

The NAC includes 12 members, including a chairperson, appointed by the Secretary of Labor. To ensure a fairly-balanced, diverse, and widely-credible committee, four representatives were selected from the public sector, four from the labor community, and four from the business community. Members are asked to serve for a period of two years. On September 5, 2015, the following 12 members were appointed to serve for two years.

Public Representatives

  • Lance Compa | Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations
  • Kimberly Ann Elliott
    Center for Global Development
  • Kevin Kolben
    Rutgers University Business School
  • Raymond Robertson | Macalester College Department of Economics

Labor Representatives

  • Benjamin N. Davis
    United Steel Workers (USW)
  • Kristyne Peter
    United Auto Workers
  • Cathy Feingold | American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
  • Ramón Ramírez | Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste

Business Representatives

  • Anna Walker | Levi Strauss & Co
  • Ariel Meyerstein | United States Council for International Business
  • Desta Raines | Apple Inc.
  • Marcela Manubens | Unilever

Further Resources