Launched in March 2005 at a first Summit of Heads of State of the three countries, the Security and Prosperity Partnership for North America (SPP) represents a new phase of neo-liberal integration in North America where the issue of security is closely linked to economic and trade relations. The SPP places CEOs from the regions transnationals at the center of decision-making, allowing them to promote their corporations interests over the public interest.

Also known as NAFTA plus or "deep integration", the SPP includes 300 program areas that government bureaucrats are developing behind closed doors, many of which relate to energy integration, with the active participation of economic elite regrouped in new SPP bodies like the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC) and the North American Energy Working Group (NAEWG).

To challenge the democratic deficit behind the SPP, the four social multi-sectoral networks in North America (ART-US, RMALC, Common Frontiers and RQIC) in close collaboration with their member unions, succeeded in gathering in Montreal in August, 2007, more than 60 energy worker unions and social groups delegates to share experiences in the 3 countries and to identify common grounds for action at a North American level in order to challenge the SPP neo-liberal project in the energy sector.

A 2nd North American Meeting of Organizations from the Energy Sector will be held in New Orleans on April 20. Many delegates from the 3 countries will attend.

Two key areas that were discussed in Montreal will be further developed in New Orleans (quotes taken from the Montreal declaration):

Energy as a fundamental human right

"We are affirming the responsibility and the right of democratically elected governments to establish national and local energy policies, to defend and promote public ownership of energy production and distribution, and to regulate the activities of private sector energy corporations within the context of national and local policy."

"Access to energy resources for basic human needs is a right of citizenship and must not be denied by unfair markets and corporate greed. Energy resources in each of our countries [are common goods and] must be democratically managed in the public interest."

Addressing environmental challenges in the energy sector

"We understand the historic transformations which are necessary to achieve global energy sustainability. The petroleum, gas, coal and other carbon based industries will be impacted by measures to address global climate change and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Large scale hydroelectricity and nuclear power are also faced with many formidable environmental challenges. Energy workers understand the necessity for conservation and energy efficiency, and new renewable energy industries, as well as for new policies in each country which may impact our employment security. We are ready to be part of the solution on the basis of Just Transition that ensures that workers and communities do not unfairly shoulder the burden of social and environmental change."

Delegates will also attend the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) regular meeting for North America on April 21, in New Orleans, and will obviously participate in the many activities of the Peoples' Summit from April 21 to 23.

PRELIMINARY LIST OF PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

MEXICO

• Mexican Action Network on Free Trade (RMALC): Alejandro Villamar
• Women Transforming the Economy Network (REMTE): Leonor Aida Concha
• Permanent Seminar on Chicano and Border Studies:Juan Manuel Sandoval
• CIEPAC:Miguel Pickard
• Labour Authentic Front (FAT):Jorge Robles
• Mexican Union of Electricity Workers (SME): Martín Esparza Flores, Gen. Secr. / Pablo Rodriguez Álvarez, Sec. Econ. / Heriberto Marroquín
• Democratic National Alliance of Oil Workers (ANDTP): Juan Carlos Chávez
• Union of Nuclear Industry Workers (SUTIN): Arturo Delfín Loya, Gen. Secr.
• National Committee of Energy Studies (CNEE): Alfredo Hernández Peñaloza / Francisco Carrillo
• National Union of Technical and Professional Employees of PEMEX: Delegates to be confirmed
• CEREAL: Manuel Padrón

UNITED STATES

• Alliance for Responsible Trade (ART-US): Tom Loudon,Coordinator
• American Friends Service Committee (AFSC):Jessica Walker-Beaumont
• Center of Concern (COC):Abiosseh Davis
• United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE):Robin Alexander
• United Steelworkers of America (USW): Gary Beevers, International Vice-Pres. / Jon Geenen, International Vice-Pres. / Doug Niehouse
• USW District 13:J.M. "Mickey" Breaux, Director
• AFL-CIO Solidarity Center in Mexico: Ben Davis
• AFL-CIO: Delegates to be confirmed
• Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA): Delegates to be confirmed
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW): Delegates to be confirmed

CANADA / QUÉBEC

• Common Frontiers Canada: Rick Arnold, Coordinator
• Council of Canadians:Maude Barlow/Stuart Trew
• Canadian Labour Congress (CLC):Delegate to be confirmed
• Communications, Energy & Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP): Dave Coles, President / Joe Gargiso, Adm. Vice-President / Fred Wilson / Alan Tate
• CEP Local 601:David Code
• CEP Local 900:Andy Walton/Adam Walters
• Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE): Claude Généreux, Nat Sec-Treasurer
• CUPE Local 1 (Toronto Hydro):Pauline Niles
• CUPE Local 38 (City of Calgary / Enmax): Brian Koski
• SCFP-Québec, Local 4250 (Hydro-Québec):Catherine Bert
• CUPE National Office / staff:Blair Redlin/Carol Proulx
• United Steelworkers / Canada: Ken Neuman, National Director
• Local 9316, North Atlantic Refinery, Newfoundland:Greg Stacy, President
• Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 258, BC: Michelle Laurie, President
• Canadian Office & Professional Employees (COPE)Local 378: Andy Ross, President / Mike Bruce

QUEBEC

• Quebec Network on Continental Integration (RQIC): Pierre-Yves Serinet, Coord.
• Central of Democratic Unions (CSD):Normand Pépin
• Confederation of National Unions (CSN):Josée Lamoureux
• Quebec Federation of Labour (FTQ): Delegates to be confirmed

INTERNATIONAL

• Public Services International (PSI): Delegates to be confirmed
• International Federation of Chemical Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM): Joe Drexler / Other delegates to be confirmed