UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Monday 5 July 2010

Cuban solidarity - a two way street‏

It is over four years since the European Trade Union Solidarity Conference with Cuba and Latin America took place in London’s City Hall and over 260 delegates representing more than 70 trade unions from 20 countries came together to participate in a unique event of friendship and solidarity organised by the British Trades Union Congress and Cuba Solidarity Campaign.

Speakers and delegates gave full support to the campaign to end the US blockade of Cuba and called for an end to interference and aggression against the island.
http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/conference/docs/ConferenceReport.pdf

Now the Cubans via the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC), the Cuban equivalent of the TUC, has sent a message of solidarity to all workers in Europe.

Clearly understanding the destructive role of neo-liberal economics the Cubans state they “are following with great interest the measures that are being implemented in your countries as a consequence of the effects of the world crisis. Unfortunately and brutally, the workers, pensioners and the people are the ones suffering the consequences of the economic re-adjustments that are being applied.

The CTC recognises “the crisis has a major impact on the labour market, which will not recover until the economic recovery stimulates the creation of new jobs”.

As true internationalists and friends they “express our utmost solidarity and support with your trade union struggles” recognising that we are in a serious fight against policies “that are subordinated to the service of capital”.

The Cubans are convinced that the European trade unions will defend the interests of the workers they represent against the neo-liberal and globalizing measures which threaten all of us.

They end with a message which we need to constantly remind ourselves , and unite across Europe in pursuit, of:

“A BETTER WORLD IS POSSIBLE!”