UNIONS FOR CUBA CONFERENCE

Saturday 2 November London

The Conference was organised by the CUBA Solidarity Campaign along with the British TUC to celebrate the 60 Years since the Revolution that Liberated CUBA and created a true Socialist state. Along with 21 affiliated national Trade Unions representing over 5 million British workers.

Given the fact that many Activists are busy with the campaigning taking place for the General Election the Conference had a fantastic turnout of nearly 200 delegates, representing Unions from across England, Scotland Wales and Ireland.

The Conference was organised as a celebration of CUBA and as an opportunity to affirm support and solidarity with the people of CUBA, in particular with the CTC and representatives of Cuban workers who attended the conference. Some 14 Cuban Trade Unionists were at the conference representing the CTC and leaders from the SNTS (Health), SNTAP (public administration), SNTECD (education), SNTCIE 9Communications), SNTTP (Transport and Ports), and SNTEM (Energy and mining) unions, this was the largest Cuban Trade Union delegation to visit the UK for many years.

The Conference generated a brilliant opportunity, not only to demonstrate Solidarity, but it  also provided opportunities to share experiences, disseminate ideas, and build new alliances with the Solidarity needed to defeat the economic and political attacks that Trump and his Administration has unleashed across the whole of the Latin American Region.

The Keynote Speakers kicking off the Conference included Bernard Regan, CSC National Secretary and Len McClusky General Secretary of the Unite Union. Both gave Solidarity from their members but also shared personal experiences of family connections to CUBA. Unisons Maggi Ferncombe, Regional Secretary from Unison London Region was also a Contributor. She spoke about how UNISON had supplied CUBA with defunct Ambulances, although not mentioned by name great tributes was expressed about Eric Roberts (Unison President Deceased) who played a major role over the years in supporting Cuba by different speakers from Cuba.

We also heard speeches and messages of Solidarity from Nicaragua, Honduras and Chile

One of the most detailed speeches about Cuba’s Health Sector came from Santiago Badia Gonzalez, General Secretary, SNTS Health Workers Union who explained how Cuba has developed its National Health Service, giving very impressive statistical data about patient to Doctor Ratios.

However, the underlying issues that was raised was the continued Blockade of CUBA by the USA, which has escalated under Trump. The fears of the growing unrest in the Latin American Region instigated by America is causing the greatest concern. Therefore, the messages of Solidarity from other Latin American Countries was warmly welcomed from all delegates, especially those from CUBA.

The CTC, Cuban Workers Central is very similar to our own TUC. It has been the unified union federation since 1939. The CTC was well represented at conference with 3 senior officials in attendance. The CTC supported the delegations from the following. The SNTAP Public Administration Union, SNTCIE Communication Union, SNTECD Teaching Union, SNTEM Energy and Mining Union, SNTS the Health Union, who were the greatest represented with four delegates and finally the SNTTP Transport and Union.

Today, in Cuba the CTC unites 17 different Trade Unions, which collectively represents 81,000 workplace Branches, also in elected municipal, provincial, and National committees of each union.

It is impressive to know that in every region, Unions own and run Training schools for thousands of Union representatives, covering topics, which mirror many of those delivered by our own Trade Union schools. Health and Safety, collective bargaining, and Employment law are some examples of the courses delivered.

One of the key themes running throughout conference was the Blockade imposed by the USA and the effect it has on the Cuban economy. As a direct consequence of the blockade, non-state workers involved in Catering, restaurants, guesthouses and Taxi services have seen their incomes, and those of their families reduced due to the closure of their businesses. Mainly because of the elimination of cruise and airline travel for American tourists, as well as drastic reduction in licences that Americans must obtain to travel to Cuba.

The blockade has been in place for 60 years the huge losses it has caused to the Cuban economy of more than 138 billion dollars estimated at current prices and 922 Billion Dollars taking into account the depreciation of the dollar, compared to the value of gold on the international market. 

The Blockades objective is to continue to strangle the Cuban economy and fracture the spirit of rebellion. Even though the United Nations General Assembly calls for the blockade to be lifted each year. Speakers shared concerns for the rest of Latin America with the USA stirring up tensions in the region.

We heard about the revolution and what Cuba was like before it and how its people was exploited. Of equal importance, we heard how Cuba has survived the onslaughts and developed into a wonderful proud Socialist Country.

Conference broke into smaller Seminars  which covered the following topics:

·         The USA Blockade and its impact economic and social development.  Trade Union Leaders spoke about the impact the blockade was having on two vital sectors of Cuba’s economy. Transport and Communications both of which are reeling under new Trump administration. Also the impact it’s having on the daily lives of Cuban people.

·         Education for All   Cuba has one of the best education systems in Latin America and spends more of its National budget than any other country on education, providing free education up to and including University. Discussions between Cuban and UK teachers looks at the impact of the blockade on education.

·         Health for ALL     Cuba’s Health service is renowned worldwide for providing community based preventative system that is equal to many richer nations when comparing health indicators. This seminar looked at how the US Blockade affects the country’s ability to look after its people.

Following on a second set of Seminars covered the following subject areas:

·          Workers’ rights and achievements   This seminar explored the major gains enjoyed by Cuban workers since the revolution and the way in which Cuban Trade unions are structured as well as the role that the Trade unions have in Cuba. It explored Cuban democracy and hoe the Trade Unions influence government policy.

·         Cuban Futures   Looking at how Cuba responds to new challenges, areas such as Climate change, dealing with propaganda, also how to inspire new generations of Solidarity activists. Young Cubans have lived all their lives under the US Blockade.

Second Plenary   This Plenary explored in detail the threat to the wider region of Latin America. How the region should resist US Imperialism and defend the revolution.  Dave Ward General secretary of the CWU offer Solidarity and fraternal greetings form his Union. We head from HE Teresita Vicente, Cuban Ambassador, HE Guisell Morales- Echaverry the Nicaraguan Ambassador, HE Rocio Maneiro Venezuelan Ambassador, Santiago Badia Gonzalez, general Secretary SNTS Health workers Union.

It was fascinating to hear how each of these Latin American countries were fighting to keep hold of their countries against mounting external pressures. The struggle to maintain independence and control of their resources. It was inspiring to hear the Spirit resonating from the speakers and the clear Solidarity they have with each other.

We can learn so much from their struggle in respect of organising and fighting for legitimate basic rights of our people.

INTERCAMBIOS   Delegates broke up into small groups to meet up with the Cuban delegates for more intimate conversations about their respective sectors. A number of new network was created from this excellent experience. It is always this way when listening to personal anecdotes rather that the nationalistic pictures we tend to discuss at these events.

Closing Rally

A clear message of Solidarity came from conference and the delegates. The UK Trade Union movement represented by some 22 different Bodies are clearly in Solidarity with Cuba. The celebration of 60 years revolution is a testament to all the Cuban activists and citizens for not only surviving the US Blockade for generations, but actually proving beyond any doubt that given an equal economic and social playing field, a socialist country will not just survive bit thrive and compete with major economic rich countries when looking at Health and Education.



FINALLY SOME CUBAN ACHIEVEMENTS 

53.2% of MPs are women  –  the second highest number in the world.

Infant mortality rate of 4 : 1,000 – lower than the United States

Over 3.5 million sight -0 saving operations   worldwide since 2004

35,000 students from 138 countries trained by Cuba’s Latin American  School of medicine since 1998

30% forest cover compared to pre-1959 figure of 11%

400,000 medical professionals have worked in 165 countries since 1960

11 preventable diseases eradicated through vaccination programmes

9.5 million people in 30 countries taught to read and write by Cuban literacy programmes.



70% of Cubans have been born under the blockade



Report by John Routley

Retired members committee

November 2019