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WINTER 2019

Report

Solidarity with Palestine : Next Steps for the UK Trade Union Movement Palestine Solidarity Campaign Trade Union Conference, London, 12th October 2019 Sponsored by eleven national unions, TUC and Thompsons. Attendance about 110.

Palestinian Workers Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) Opening session consisted mainly of talk by Samia Al Botmeh, Assistant Professor of Labour Economics, Bir Zeit University.

Workers’ rights need to be viewed in context of level and character of economic development:  OPTs’ economic development follows pattern typical of colonialism – erosion of productive sectors of the local economy, dependence on external sources for growth and development.
 Trade constrained by regulatory restrictions as well as physical constraints like wall, settlements, lack of access to water. Typically, these restrictions give Israeli producers free access to Palestinian market but not vice-versa.
 Over 50 years of occupation, agriculture down from 34% of economy to 3%, manufacture down 18% to 13%. Disproportionate effect on women’s economic activity rates.  13% of workers work in Israel (but only 2% of women workers) accounting for 25% of OPTs’ income from wages. Corrupt system of brokering labour permits absorbs 15% of wages.  Men’s unemployment rate about 25%, women’s 50% - much higher figures in Gaza Strip. Women’s economic activity rate is 19%, the lowest in the world – result of colonialism not of innate conservatism/patriarchy of Palestinian society. 
 Trade unionism strongest among professionals. Even there tends to be defensive/reactive. Little trade union organising.   Recent Israeli attempts to exclude ex-pat Palestinians from labour force eg staff at Bir Zeit Uni.

Samia called for:  Maintain focus on Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. Visits, direct links and direct assistance are welcome but the political solidarity of BDS addresses the heart of the matter.  The need to raise Palestine in international trade union forums Also in discussion there was a question about:  Links with disabled people’s organisations in Palestine which Samia described as strong but not well connected with broader social movements. There was interest from Unite Disabled Workers to follow this up.

First Panel Discussion : Solidarity with Trade Unions in Palestine NEU, PCS, UCU UNISON, and Unite outlined their work. Points included:  UNISON’s work on pension fund divestment. Case in Supreme Court 20 Nov  Unite has taken the BDS question to its members eg in HSBC  Making delegations more accessible esp NEU – open to all members but selffund. NEU gives people who go on delegations firm guidance about what is expected when they get back. Delegations good way to identify new workplace activists.


First workshop: Campaigning for Palestine in the Trade Union Movement
 Need to take rank-&-file with you – Unite at Caterpillar – recognise the position of insecure workers.  Build solidarity by seeking support for concrete actions rather than seeking agreements with general arguments.  Difficult issues and dealing with opposition. Choose your targets and your timing. Don’t let them choose you. (Breaking links with Histadrut, Challenging IHRA definition; Excluding BITUD - née TUFI)

Second Workshop: Recognising Israeli Apartheid. Making the case for Palestine
 This was conducted by a group called Makan. I attended in order to check them out. They describe themselves as “a Palestinian-led ... organisation that works to shift the narrative on Palestine towards a global language that is rooted in the principle of human rights ... Through ... workshops and trainings (they) help cultivate a community of strategic advocates ... to push forward a rights-based narrative”.

Intellectually very interesting and challenging but, in my opinion, an overly intellectual approach whereas I think the barriers our supporters face have as much to do with confidence, identity etc as with knowledge or ideas.
 
Second Panel Discussion: Next Steps Opening speaker was Mariella Kohon (ex Justice for Colombia) now TUC International Department who said they will be following up on the recent TUC Women’s delegation, continuing to tackle Birmingham Pride (sponsored by HSBC) and working towards another TUC delegation next year.

Final Speaker was Mustafa Barghouti, General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative (a political party that campaigns mainly around democratising the Palestinian Authority)
 Zionism is now strong enough no longer to need to hide its intentions. The ethnic cleansing of 1948 and the occupation of 1967 now evolve into a fullblown Apartheid system.  Zionism does not confine itself to Palestine-Israel. It operates at a world level to delegitimise support for Palestine. Recent legislation in Germany equating BDS with anti-semitism. Launch of SAIPAC in South Africa modelled on America Israel Public Affairs Committee. Set attacks on UK Labour Party into world context.
 He set us five tasks:
 1. BDS
 2. Campaign for correct labelling of settlement goods or, better, stop their import altogether and stop the arms trade with Israel
3. Challenge Israel’s breaches of International Law and Israel’s supporters worldwide who help them do so
4. Enlighten the younger generation.
 5. Bring down the government of Boris Johnson, elect Jeremy Corbyn. then, he added a sixth:
 6. DON’T LET THEM FRIGHTEN YOU!
Bob Deacon November 2019

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

RIGHT WING COUP IN BOLIVIA DEPOSES DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT 
EVO MORALES  

for details goto  
here and here

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