Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL LABOR AFFAIRS

LABOR SECRETARY REICH APPOINTS NAO ADVISORY PANELMon., June 26, 1995

For more information call: 202/219- 6373.

Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich today named 12 members to the National Advisory Committee of the U.S. National Administrative Office (NAO). The NAO is under the jurisdiction of the department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs and handles labor matters under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

In announcing the appointments, Reich said, "The members of this advisory group bring a formidable array of experience, achievement and background to this critical mission. Their advice and assistance will be important elements in our working relationship with Canada and Mexico within the framework of NAFTA."

The advisory committee is established by provisions in the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC), which is referred to as the labor side agreement to NAFTA. There are two side agreements to the free trade pact: one covering labor matters and the other pertaining to the environment. The NAALC provides for each of the three signatories to the trade agreement to set up its own NAO.

The consultative body will advise the U.S. NAO on issues arising under the NAALC. Such issues include, but are not limited to: improving working conditions and living standards in the signatory countries; promoting innovation and raising levels of productivity and quality; enhancing understanding of labor laws and institutions in the three NAFTA nations through joint studies and exchanges of information. In short, the committee will provide advice on how best to promote the labor principles set forth in the NAALC.

The committee consists of four representatives from organized labor, four from business, two from academia and two from the public at large. A list of the members is attached.

Reich appointed Marley S. Weiss as chair of the advisory committee. She is an associate professor of law at the University of Maryland School of Law.

The committee will meet for the first time later this summer.

U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs U.S. National Administrative Office National Advisory Committee Committee Chair Marley S. Weiss - associate professor of law, University of Maryland, School of Law, Maryland. Committee Members Steve Beckman - international economist, United Auto Workers Union, Washington, D.C. Ron Blackwell - assistant to the president, Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union, New York. Morton Bahr - president, Communications Workers of America, Washington, D.C. John S. Gaal - assistant administrator, St. Louis Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Missouri. Frank P. Doyle - executive vice president, General Electric Company, Connecticut. Abraham Katz - president, U.S. Council for International Business, New York. Carroll E. Bostic - director, Human Resources, Eastman Kodak Co., Washington, D.C. Edward A. Brill - partner, law firm; Proskauer, Rose, Goetz and mendelsohn, New York. Maria L. Ontiveros - associate professor of law, Golden Gate University, School of Law, California. Margaret E. Montoya - assistant professor of law, The University of New Mexico, School of Law, New Mexico. Dr. Edward Williams - professor, The University of Arizona, Arizona.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.