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Texas Fair Trade Coalition

Website:

citizenstrade.org/ctc/texas/
Location:

Texas
Formation:

2002
Parent Organization:

Citizens Trade Campaign
Director:

Bob Cash

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The Texas Fair Trade Coalition is an inactive advocacy and membership network of left-of-center labor unions and labor-focused organizations that was focused on opposing trade-liberalization policies such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It was an affiliate of the Citizens Trade Campaign. 1 2

Background

The Texas Fair Trade Coalition was founded in 2002 as a membership network of left-of-center labor union and labor-focused organizations, including Texas-based locals of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, United Steelworkers, Service Employees International Union, and International Union of Elevator Constructors. Generally, the organization promoted left-of-center economically protectionist and environmentalist trade policies and opposed trade liberalization and trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States that was in effect from 1994 until it was replaced in 2020 by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which reduced or eliminated many previous economic barriers to trade and investment between its member countries. 3 1

The Texas Fair Trade Coalition was an affiliate of the Citizens Trade Campaign, a labor union-backed advocacy group and membership network that supports economic protectionist policies and promotes aligned state-level affiliate organizations. The Citizens Trade Campaign was originally formed in 1992 to oppose NAFTA. 2 4

As of February 26, 2026, the most recent event promoted by the Texas Fair Trade Coalition on the homepage of its web portal (which is hosted on the website of the Citizens Trade Campaign) was a rally and march that was scheduled for May 12th, 2012 opposing a summit discussing the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). 5

Prior to its web portal being hosted by the Citizens Trade Campaign, the Texas Fair Trade Coalition originally had its own independent website, texasfairtrade.org, which featured information about the organization’s policy advocacy, events, and ongoing projects, as well as links to aligned organization. 6

Activities

During its active life, the Texas Fair Trade Coalition mainly promoted and participated in protests, marches, and other events aligned with its left-of-center trade policy advocacy and opposed to existing or proposed trade agreements. The homepage of the organization’s web portal on the website of the Citizens Trade Campaign featured notices to join in a rally and march at a trade summit in Addison, Texas addressing the then-proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement (TPP); an “opening bash” for a “Global Activist Reception & Teach-In” featuring speakers from aligned organizations such as Global Trade Watch, the AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, and the Third World Network; and a press event co-hosted with the Texas AFL-CIO and other organizations demanding access to documents being considered by negotiators of the TPP. 5

Members

Member organizations of the Texas Fair Trade Coalition included the Texas Building and Construction Trades Council; El Paso Central Labor Union; Texas Farmers Union; Fuerza Unida, Texas–AFT; Texas State Association of Electrical Workers; Harris County AFL-CIO, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Locals 60, 66, 520, and 681; United Steel Workers District 13 and locals 746-L, 4134, 4895, 1157-L, 13-423, and 5613; the Houston affiliate of Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers; the North Texas branch of Jobs With Justice; San Antonio Central Labor Council; Service Employees International Union Local 5; Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 54; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers; Elevator Constructors Local 133; Iron Workers Local 263; Southwest Pipe Trades Association; and the Texas Road Sprinkler Fitters. 1

Leadership

Bob Cash was the director of the Texas Fair Trade Coalition. Before joining Texas Fair Trade Coalition, he was the chief of staff to former Texas House of Representatives member Rep. Kevin Bailey (D), and a staffer with the AFL-CIO. Additionally, he was a signatory to a May Day 2018 provisional statement of principles published by the North Star Caucus of the Democratic Socialists of America, a far-left political activism group. 7 8 9

References

  1. “About.” Citizens Trade Campaign: Texas Fair Trade Coalition. Accessed February 26, 2026. https://www.citizenstrade.org/ctc/texas/about/.
  2. “What Is Citizens Trade Campaign?” Citizens Trade Campaign. Accessed February 26, 2026. https://www.citizenstrade.org/ctc/about-ctc/what-is-citizens-trade-campaign/.
  3. Bondarenko, Peter. “North American Free Trade Agreement.” Encyclopedia Brittanica. January 16, 2026. Accessed February 26, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/event/North-American-Free-Trade-Agreement/Renegotiation.
  4. “Citizens Trade Campaign.” ProPublica. Accessed February 26, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521809705.
  5. “Home.” Texas Fair Trade Coalition. Accessed February 26, 2026. https://www.citizenstrade.org/ctc/texas/.
  6. ARCHIVED: Home. Texas Fair Trade Coalition. Archived September 16, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2026. http://web.archive.org/web/20080916155248/http://texasfairtrade.org/index.html.
  7. “Statement of Principles.” DSA North Star. 2019. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://www.dsanorthstar.org/principles.html.
  8. “Contact.” Citizens Trade Campaign: Texas Fair Trade Coalition. Accessed February 26, 2026. https://www.citizenstrade.org/ctc/texas/about/.
  9. “Political People and their Moves.” Texas Weekly. December 22, 2008. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://texasweekly.texastribune.org/texas-weekly/vol-25/no-49/print/.
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