A dossier of weekly information published by the International Liaison
Committee of Workers and Peoples
November 14, 2006
Issue 209
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INTRODUCTION:
United States: The mid-term elections constituted a major blow to Bush
and his policies. We are publishing a press review below.
Mexico: We are dedicating four pages of this issue to the situation
in Mexico and the international campaign in solidarity with the Mexican
people. You will find:
- The new Declaration of the PTDI;
- The Open Letter for a National March;
- A Report on the ILC delegation in Paris;
- A Report on the meeting in San Jose (U.S.) in solidarity with the
Mexican people;
- The Resolution from the San Francisco Bay Labor Council.
Chile: An interview with Luis Mesina concerning the new student mobilizations.
Guadeloupe: An interview with Eli Domota, the vice General Secretary
of the UGTG, concerning the strikes in various sectors.
Support the ILC. Subscribe!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
p. 1: Introduction
p. 2 - United States: The rejection of Bush's policies
p. 3 - 4 - 5 - Mexico: - Declaration of the PTDI;
- Open Letter for a National March;
- Report on the ILC delegation in Paris;
- Meeting in San Jose (U.S.) in solidarity;
p. 6 - Chile: Interview with Luis Mesina.
p. 7 - Guadeloupe: Interview with UGTG leader Elie Domota
p. 8 - Mexico: - International resolutions and delegations
- Resolution from the San Francisco Labor Council
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Contact:
Informations internationales
Entente internationale des travailleurs et des peuples,
87, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis -75010 Paris - France
Tel: (33 1) 48 01 88 28E.mail: eit.ilc@fr.oleane.com - Site: www.eit-ilc.org
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UNITED STATES
A Crushing Defeat for Bush and the Republicans in the mid-term elections:
"A rejection of G.W. Bush, his party, his policies, and his war"!
(The Nation)
The full results of the elections that recently took place in the United
States are now known
"There is no point in trying to hide the results of these elections,"
writes David Corn, in the U.S. magazine The Nation, "they express
the rejection of G.W. Bush, his party, his policies, and his war."
Nevertheless, Le Monde feigns that "the message of the electors
(remains) difficult to decrypt."
Difficult? "The message of the elections could not be more clear,"
writes the Brazilian daily, the Folha de Sao Paulo.
The future for the youth, Social Security, Katrina, the war in Iraq
Š the reaction is anger.
For The New York Times (November 8), "the question of social security,
the government's attitude to Katrina Š and, more than anything else,
the war in Iraq," are the roots of this "impetuous movement
for change. The voters said they wanted no more war in Iraq, and they
also expressed their discontent concerning the economy, health care
costs, the price of oil, and the criminalization of immigration."
The Spanish daily El Pais wrote on November 9 that: "With a participation
rate of 70%, a record high, the electorate clearly said no to Bush.
Š Though the Europeans principally interpret these elections as a referendum
against the war in Iraq and the Bush crew, the electorate also had various
national preoccupations Š: the economy, the horror of Katrina and its
consequences, and a corrupt Washington Š In the big industrial centers
in Pennsylvania and Ohio - and in all the Midwest -industrial jobs have
practically disappeared and the incomes of the middle class and the
workers have been put in jeopardy. When families cannot live normally,
cannot send their children to University, when they live in a country
without a viable and secure national health care plan, and when they
read about the political corruption and the pillage of millions of dollars,
the reaction is anger."
The vote of the youth, Black people, and Latinos was decisive.
On November 10, the same newspaper notes that the "youth vote
was decisive Š The polls show that the youth flocked to the polls, pushed
by the war in Iraq, the highest rate in more than 20 years for a mid-term
election vote."
The San Francisco Chronicle, on November 8, notes that "two million
more youth than usual participated in the vote. They are naturally very
angry about the leadership of Bush and they want this to change."
Providing a detailed analysis of the results, the Spanish El Pais notes
that 73% of the Latino vote was against the Republican Party, the war,
and the "anti-immigrant hysteria defended by the most radical sectors
of the party of Bush." (Recall the powerful demonstrations of the
Latino sector of the U.S. working-class against these policies.)
A statistical analysis published in the same paper demonstrated that
56% of women voted against Bush and 89% of Black people, for their part,
voted against Bush. For 68% of voters, the war was a "extremely
important" reason for their vote; for 74%, the reason was corruption;
and for 83%, the reason was the economy.
For Charlie Cook, from the U.S. Cook Report in Washington, "this
is not so much a vote for the Democrats as a vote against President
Bush, his policies, and his war."
Recalling the American Declaration of Independence of 1776, Carlos
Mendo, in El Paris, writes that the American people have done nothing
more than exercise their inalienable rights: "When a large series
of abuses and usurpations Š aim to (establish) despotism, it is the
right and the duty of (the people) to dispose of the government."
The Firing of Rumsfeld
"Rumsfeld sacrificed," noted the Tribune of Geneva (November
9), immediately after the "firing" by Bush of one of his most
important supporters and mentors in the "endless war" in Iraq,
Afghanistan, Lebanon, and, in various forms, throughout the whole planet.
Recalling, also, the responsibility of Rumsfield in Iraq, the Wall
Street Journal (November 10) writes that: "The worst of the errors
in Iraq was that of Paul Bremer and Condoleezza Rice, who rejected supporting
a government of Iraqi exiles too soon. For reasons that we will someday
know, George Bush has kept quiet about the disputes in his national
security team concerning strategy after the invasion of Iraq. Š Having
Mr. Gates return, George Bush has indicated a change in policy, or worse,
a new capitulation. Š Mr. Gates is a member of the Baker-Hamilton Commission,
which studies political options in Iraq. But it is worrying that, in
relation to Iraq, Mr. Gates was a Security Councilor in 1991, when Bush
Sr. abandoned the Shiite Rebellion that followed the first Gulf War.
If President Bush wants to calm the Shiites concerning his objectives
and concerning Mr. Gates, he should announce that his recent efforts
in Iraq to alleviate the Sunni political terrorism have failed."
"In reality, no policy change has taken place," states the
Swiss daily, 24 Heures on November 9.
Help from Europe
"The German president has called for Europeans to 'dedicate themselves
more in Iraq' due to the Democratic tidal wave. The result of the elections
will raise interest in the U.S. for promoting more collaboration with
the Europeans," notes Horst Kohler in a interview with the German
daily Frankfurter Rundschau.
"We will ask Europe to put more cards on the table." The
minister of foreign affairs of the Italian Prodi government, Massimo
D'Alema (leader of the Left Democrats, ex-CP) responded: "Discussing
with the President of the European Parliament, Borrell, D'Alema felt
it was necessary to rethink the action plan, which is not strictly military,
and thus make a solution to the crisis difficult. A strong political
initiative is necessary, a conference to discuss the work of NATO."
(La Repubblica, November 9)
It isn't shocking to see that the first to come to the rescue of Bush
should be the right-hand-man of the former president of the European
Union. This only underlines the submissive relationship of these institutions
to American imperialism. But the announcements or Prodi have provoked
sharp expressions of worry, as reflected by the German daily, Frankfurter
Rundschau (November 11): "Europe's satisfaction with the lesson
given to Bush could be more nuanced, with the manifestation in foreign
affairs of the consequences of the U.S. elections. Š So, if the American
troops leave, the (unpleasant) question should be posed: Who will stabilize
the country? From where will the U.N. find its troops? The situation
in Afghanistan demonstrates possible situations. After the reduction
of U.S. troops, the pressure rose on the Bundeswehr to send more German
troops to the instable south of the country."
The German newspaper recalls that "NATO was initially treated
as un-useful by the Bush administration. But after Afghanistan, its
utility was discovered as a military auxiliary to do what the Americans
did not want to do. The meaning of a European army is to exist as a
force linked to NATO." But the newspaper adds: "The U.S. is
not really considered as a friend in Western Europe in these times."
The Frankfurter notes that this is "a popular sentiment"
and that "the European elites continue to live in an Atlantist
past, as demonstrated last year when they discovered during the referendum
on the new (European) Constitution, which the public rejected."
- Correspondent
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MEXICO
To Defend Oaxaca is to Defend Nation! National march now!
PTDI Declaration, November 5, 2006
For a National March of a million in Mexico on November 19, called
by Lopez Obrador, the CND, and all the trade unions and political and
social organizations that agree with the following demands:
-Out with the troops and Ulises Ruiz! Punish the culprits!
-End the arrests of the leaders of the teachers and APPO
We propose to organize throughout the country meetings and assemblies
calling for the CND and Lopez Obrador to organize a National March.
To defend Oaxaca is to Defend the Republic
The movement of the people of Oaxaca needs the support and solidarity
of all the nation. It is urgent to establish a united-front policy of
all the political, trade union, and peasant organization around the
following demands: the punishment and ouster of Ulises Ruiz, the removal
of the army, and liberty for the political prisoners.
On Tuesday, October 31, Lopez Obrador held an assembly in the hemiciclo
de Juarez in Mexico City. Present in this assembly were representatives
of the APPO (Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca), Section 22
of the SNTE-CNTE, the FAP, the Mexican Union of Energy Workers (SME),
and others.
The members of the Democratic Independent Workers Party (PTDI) were
present with a banner that read "National March in Defense of the
People of Oaxaca!"
The representative of Section 22 of the SNTE-CNTE, Cayetano Alzate,
declared that the professors will not return to class as long as Ruiz
is governor and the PFP remains in Oaxaca .
Lopez Obrador said: "To defend Oaxaca is to defend the Republic!
Š The people of Oaxaca have rescued the expression of Benito Juarez
which states that 'A people that wants to be free will be free. Hidalgo
has taught us that the power of the kings is too weak when they govern
against the will of the peoples.' Š To hell with the sell-outs and their
institutions! To hell with their corrupt and repressive institutions!
Forward with the renovation of the country! No more blood must be spilled
to satisfy the ambitions of the powerful."
During this meeting, one speaker proposed the convocation of a national
march throughout the country. This is the proposal of the trade unions
and democratic trade unions of Chiapas.
This is the same proposal of Jesus Rodríguez, leader of the
Comisión of Peaceful Civil Resistance, who adds that "It
is necessary to build a national front in defense of the people of Oaxaca
."
The APPO has called for a national demonstration in Mexico City on
Friday, November 10, at 4 P.M., from Ángel de la Independencia
to Plaza del Zócalo.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to bring together a decisive force to
kick out the PFP and Ulises Ruiz from Oaxaca.
On the basis of these proposals, trade union leaders and workers have
written an Open Letter to Lopez Obrador to "ask you, Lopez Obrador,
the leaders of the National Democratic Convention, and all the political,
social, and trade union organizations Š to call a national march of
a million people, like those organized against the fraud and for the
respect of the popular will." The activists of the PTDI support
this initiative and call on all to support it and sign the petition.
Only a mobilization of the nation, of millions of people, can put a
break on the offensive of Calderon and Fox, puppets of the U.S. embassy,
against the people of Oaxaca and against the teachers. They are trying
to use violence to destroy Section 22 of the SNTE-CNTE, an organization
out of the control of the nefarious Elba Esther Gordillo!
As one worker said in Juarez: "A mobilization, like the ones organized
against the electoral fraud and like the September 16 CND is needed."
Yes, it's possible! Let's struggle for the practical implementation
of this proposal!
Only a policy of unity on a national scale can end the Fox and Calderon
offensive of chaos and violence. They have given the order to sell off
the resources to the corporations, especially from the United States,
and to suppress workers rights.
That is why we can't accept the policies of the leaders of the "Other
Campaign" who want to impede the unity in action of the APPO, Section
22, the CND, Lopez Obrador, and the trade unions.
During the rally in Mexico City organized by Lopez Obrador, various
groups sought to impose the boycott of the speeches, hypocritically
yelling "APPO!" when a speaker of the APPO affirmed the necessity
for unity in action! During the very rally itself, these people called
for a march to Los Pinos, thus aiming to divide the rally.
They were not able to do so thanks to the united will of those present;
nevertheless, they demonstrated a policy of division that we should
combat by proposing a National United March in support of the people
of Oaxaca. With the same goal of impeding unity in action, the daily
La Cronica, falsifies the facts, saying that "Lopez Obrador could
care less about the Oaxaca crisis." This is proof of the fear of
the Fox and Calderon governments of seeing the supporters of Lopez Obrador
push him to mobilize millions of people in support of the people of
Oaxaca.
Let's struggle in our trade unions, in our CND committees, and in all
possible organizations in support of a united National March of a million
people! We should organize delegations to the leaderships of these organizations
to tell them that the moment is critical, it is necessary to stop the
criminal actions of Fox-Calderon-Ruiz, who are in the pay of the U.S.
embassy.
The APPO defeats the assault of the PFP
Today, November 2, the combative people of Oaxaca, armed only with
sticks and stones, pushed back, after a struggle of nine hours, the
forces of the PFP, who were trying to take over the Autonomous Benito
Juarez University, in total violation of the law. To prevent new attacks,
to rescue the 61 disappeared, to free all the political prisoners, and
to kick out Ulises Ruiz, a national march called for by the APPO, Lopez
Obrador, and the CND must be organized.
Support and deepen the 48-hour strike called for by the CNTE
At the same time, in the spirit of unity, it is necessary to widely
spread, in all the sections of the SNTE, the call of the National Coordination
of Education Workers (CNTE) for a 48-hour strike on November 9. It is
necessary to extend this proposal to all the trade unions that have
demonstrated their support for the people of Oaxaca.
We should take note of the words of Elba Esther Gordillo; this leader,
who supports the Fox and Calderon government, affirms that "rezonification"
should take place over seven years! We say no! Immediate rezonification
for all teachers throughout the country, utilizing the immense resources
that the country has accumulated by sellinh oil products!
Gordillo aims to continue the plan begun in 1992 to destroy the national
education system, through the National Agreement to Modernize Education
and the break-up of the SNTE. All this is in line with the recommendations
of the World Bank, which states that it is necessary to "end the
central negotiation with the SNTE and "convince" the states
to take the initiative with the branches of this organization, establishing
the 'quality norms' as priorities over the agreements. The World Bank
also calls for the state governments with bigger budgets to make bigger
funding contributions to primary education." (El Universal, October
31, 2006)
A serious threat faces the SNTE and all its sections!
To defend Oaxaca means struggling for democracy and the independence
of the trade unions. We defend the unity of the National Education System
and the SNTE.
-----
November 1st: Open Letter
To Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the National Democratic Convention
and its Organizing Committee, the leaders of the APPO, Section 22 of
SNTE, the SME, of the trade unions of the UNT, the CNTE, the SUTUAM,
and the STUNAM.
The signers below - workers, trade union leaders, and youth - address
you to express our preoccupation with the violent military occupation
of the State of Oaxaca.
We agree that it is absolutely necessary that the governor of the State
of Oaxaca leave, as well as the army disguised as the Federal Police.
This is the demand of the people, a demand which was echoed by Lopez
Obrador in a rally in Mexico City in which leaders from the APPO, Section
22, and the SME were present.
"To defend Oaxaca is to defend the Republic." We think that
what is at stake in Oaxaca is the future of the nation, democracy, the
popular will, and the national patrimony.
All the declarations of the advisors of Calderon demonstrate that they
want to sell off our resources to the multinationals, particularly the
North American ones. To reach this goal, Fox and Calderon aim to impose
a policy of violence and chaos.
In the rally of October 31, one of the speakers called for a national
demonstration in Mexico City, to bring together the people of Vera Cruz,
Chiapas, Tabasco, and from all over the country.
We are in full agreement with this proposal. To kick out and punish
Ulises Ruiz and the army, that is, to return peace to the state, a demonstration
is needed like those organized against the fraud and in defense of the
popular will.
We can no longer accept dispersed actions. It is necessary to unite
the forces of the nation.
That is why we ask you, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the National Democratic
Convention and its Organizing Committee, the leaders of the APPO, Section
22 of SNTE, the SME, of the trade unions of the UNT, the CNTE, the SUTUAM,
and the STUNAM, that the call for and the date of this mass demonstration
be issued immediately. At the same time, we propose to you that a National
Front in Support of the People of Oaxaca be organized to bring together
the forces to kick out Ulises Ruiz and the PFP, that is, to establish
peace and democracy in the state.
We signers will do everything possible to participate in and promote
these actions.
-----
San Jose (United States): Regional Northern California and Central
Valley meeting in solidarity with the people of Oaxaca and Mexico
A meeting presided by Al Rojas, from the Front of Mexicans in the Exterior,
took place on November 11, with 43 representatives from organizations
from the following cities: San Jose, San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland,
Santa Rosa, Watsonville, Santa Cruz, San Bruno, Sacramento, Salinas,
Modesto, Stockton, San Leandro and Fresno.
Among the decisions taken by this meeting, which democratically and
at length discussed each of the proposals raised, was the unanimous
decision to "organize immediately political, moral, and financial
support for the combative people of Oaxaca, who are subjected to a military
occupation and ferocious repression from the state and federal authorities
to preserve the rule of Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, the corrupt governor rejected
by the people."
The gathering unanimously supported the following demands:
- The immediate removal of the troops and the PFP;
- The end of state repression and violence;
- The condemnation of the Fox-Calderon government for the violation
of the autonomy of the Benito Juarez University in Oaxaca;
- The punishment of all those involved in the assassinations and attacks
against the people of Oaxaca, beginning with the principal author, Ulises
Ruiz Ortiz;
- The immediate release of all the political prisoners in Oaxaca;
- Out with Ulises Ruiz! Justice and freedom for the people of Oaxaca!
A letter to Vincent Fox was signed and a fund-raising campaign was
begun.
Several dates for a big mass mobilization in support of the people
of Oaxaca and Mexico were examined. Concerning the goal, it was decided
to: "Promote the struggle in defense of the people of Oaxaca and
the struggle for democracy and against the fraud in Mexico." The
date set for the first mobilization was December 1st.
In conclusion, it was decided by the participants, unanimously, to
form a regional coordination of Northern California and the Central
Valley, made up of representatives of all the organizations present.
(Excerpts of the report by Alan Benjamin, from the Committee in Solidarity
with the People of Mexico in San Francisco)
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Report on the delegation to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico
The Workers Party called on November 9 for a gathering in front of
the Mexican Embassy in Paris to:
-- Demonstrate solidarity with the Mexican people who for months have
demonstrated by the millions to fight for democracy and to demand that
Lopez Obrador be recognized as the only legitimate President of the
Republic;
-- Demand the immediate end to the repression particularly that inflicted
on the teachers and people of Oaxaca;
-- Demand the release of all the students, teachers, and workers locked
up for protesting;
-- The immediate release of all the disappeared in the state of Oaxaca,
of which there are at least 61, according to the media, Section 22,
and the APPO.
Daniel Gluckstein, the National Secretary of the Workers Party and
the coordinator of the ILC, led a delegation which was received by Mr.
Arturo del Rio from the embassy.
Gluckstein recalled that he was present on September 16 in the Zocalo
of Mexico City at the National Democratic Convention, having received
an invitation from Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador.
He spoke at the embassy not just in the name of all the members of
the Workers Party and the organizations affiliated to the ILC throughout
the world, but in the name of all the workers and youth of France.
In France and in all countries, we have seen the terrible images of
the attacks of the federal police against the teachers in Oaxaca. "All
workers are friends of the Mexican people," said the National Secretary
of the Workers Party. He told the representatives of the embassy of
the demonstrations that had already taken place Thursday night in the
United States, Brazil, and Spain Š and the declaration of various organizations
and mass petitions in support of the people of Oaxaca.
The delegation demanded the immediate end to the repression, the implementation
of the legitimate demands of the people, and the release of all the
disappeared and imprisoned.
Mr. Del Rio thanked the delegation and those it represented for their
interest in the Mexican people and announced he would pass on their
sentiments to the government. He said that the government was looking
for a solution and that a discussion was taking place at that very second
between the teachers union, the APPO, and the government. He said that
the last big demonstration, on July 5, took place with no incidents.
He said he did not know of the disappeared, but if a list was given
to him he would investigate and report back to us.
The delegation repeated the indignation of the French public opinion
concerning the fact that the authorities shot at the teachers. The delegation
explained to the embassy that the information concerning the names of
the disappeared had been published by the media and the organization
currently negotiating with the Mexican government.
A representative of the Embassy reaffirmed at the end of the discussion
that he would give the members of the delegation responses to the demands
they had concerning the detained or supposedly disappeared, as well
as the important official news concerning the situation in Mexico.
The delegation went on to report back to those participating in the
gathering in front of Embassy. It recalled that, once again, on Saturday
there would be big demonstrations in Mexico and that all should be ready
to take initiatives in support of the struggle of the people of Oaxaca
and Mexico.
- The delegation of the Workers Party
*************************
CHILE
Secondary and High School students take to the streets again
An interview with Luis Mesina, a leader of the federation of bank workers
Last March, the socialist candidate, Michelle Bachelet, was elected
president of the republic. She has just been congratulated by international
socialists.
The working class, the youth and the poorest sectors of the country
voted for her so that she could take measures designed to respond to
the most pressing needs of the people and the nation. There is an increase
in the rise of the people's movement for the defense of their rights
and their sovereignty against the offensive of U.S. imperialism and
a number of treaties such as Mercosur, directed against nations, throughout
Latin America, in Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela.
In the past few months Chile has experienced a series of strikes, among
those that of over a million secondary school students. Luis Mesina,
Chilean trade unionist, explains the context from which these movements
arise.
What is most striking about the recent demonstrations of secondary
students in Chile?
Firstly it is important to note that this is the first time since 1973
and the installation of the Pinochet dictatorship that secondary students
and youth in general have mobilized as they have in May and June.
Their fight started with economic demands, questioning the educational
system inherited from the Pinochet regime. This system is supported
by the private sector (see box). In terms of the constitutional orientation
of education (LOCE), the state does not have the obligation of guaranteeing
education as a right for all Chileans.
These large demonstrations by over a million students from all the
country's secondary schools demanded the abrogation of this law and
the dismantling of the present educational institution which is the
source of inequalities throughout the country.
During this process the students have drawn the sympathies of the entire
country. Workers organized in trade unions, federations and confederations
joined their movement through several demonstrations of support within
a situation already marked by important labor demonstrations for the
defense of their demands. The trade union centrals, although favorable
to the government, have threatened to go on strike if their demands
are not satisfied.
University students joined the movement and the 'occupation of premises'
became generalized throughout the country.
When the conflict reached its highest point and that a national strike
by the workers of various sectors was about to blow up, President Bachelet
announced the creation of the 'commission' to revise the structure of
Chilean education and to propose a formula to improve the present system.
This 'commission' integrated by 90 'personalities and specialists'
on educational matters and leaders of the college of professor, met
behind closed doors and led all the students to return to their studies.
This way the government was able to take a break.
But have strikes now occurred in the working class?
In August, over 1,600 workers at the world's largest copper mine, Escondida,
stopped work for 25 days. Property of the BHP Billiton multinational,
this mine produces 8% of the world's copper. It is located in the desert
of Atacama. Despite all the means used to break up their movement, the
unity and fight of the workers was stronger, forcing BHP Billiton to
agree to a wage increase of 8% and additional bonuses.
When this strike was barely ended, over 20,000 health care workers
went on strike demanding an increase in the allocation for personnel,
an increase of 7% in wages and respect for their career as civil servants.
170 hospitals were paralyzed and over 20,000 workers resisted all pressures
although threatened with layoffs and legal actions. Other demonstrations
followed: bank employees, with their trade unions, entered the fight
against the supplementary work day that they want to impose through
the establishment of a Monday through Sunday work week. Professors also
demanded better working conditions and better wages.
Did these conditions contribute to the resurgence of the secondary
school movement?
At the end of August, the commission created by Bachelet seemed to
have extinguished the movement. The negotiations were done on the backs
of students.
In September-October, the occupation of schools that had started to
increase, were violently repressed and premises evacuated as, for example,
in Santiago the Victorino Lastaria school, where police repression with
the support of 'neonazi' bands, was particularly violent.
The same thing happened at other schools in Santiago, where the repression
attained an unprecedented degree of brutality.
On October 20, the students at Colegio No. 1 in Santiago started an
unlimited strike for the annulment of repressive measures that the school's
administration had taken against 27 students who were on strike at the
time the school was evacuated. 1,600 students had occupied the school.
It is in this context that the demonstrations we spoke about took place.
(1)
The conflict started in May be the students is far from ended. This
is not only a student fight, but that of all society; because it is
the type of education that the children of workers will receive that
is at stake.
-----
Endnotes
(1) See ILC Newsletter 206 of October 24, 2006
**************************
GUADELOUPE
Interview with Eli Domota, secretary general of the UGTG (General Union
of Workers of Guadeloupe)
The social situation has become tense in Guadeloupe when the UGTG called
for a strike in various sectors. Can you give us the reasons for which
demands the workers have gone on strike?
There are many reasons for the mobilization. In the public sector as
well as the private sector, the rights of workers have been seriously
affected, especially the right to make demands and fight for these demands,
For example: After a 12-month strike at SPGY DANONE and the signature
of a draft agreement, five of our comrades were laid off. The closure
of the principal poultry unit in Guadeloupe threw dozens of men and
women into the street.
Also the UGTG launched a warning on October 27 were over 2,600 workers
affiliated with the EGTG, with the support of the other trade union
organizations in Guadeloupe, reinforced by the young researchers at
the university (ATER) who are fighting to preserve their buying power,
threatened by the suppression of 40% of the cost of living, met to tell
the French state, the employers and elected officials that the people
of Guadeloupe have had enough of this miserable life. Since June 6,
different sectors went on strike for their own demands but also to demand
the reintegration of our comrades who were laid off and the respect
for trade union rights.
For instance:
- The UTPP (Union of Oil industry workers) in order to oppose the creation
of gas stations without pump attendants that directly threatens 1,000
jobs in Guadeloupe but also to demand the lowering of the price of gasoline
and respect for the labor code, particularly as it affects workers in
the case of a change of management.
- The UTHTR (Union of workers in hotels, restaurants and catering) to
demand the opening of negotiations faced by a strong opposition by hotel
groups. The same applies to workers in the security sector.
- The UTS (Union of Health care workers) who demand a public health
care service that meets the needs and demands of the people of Guadeloupe.
- The UEC (Union of commercial employees) demanding negotiations in
view of the signature of collective bargaining agreement in automobiles
and commerce.
- The UTT (Union of telecommunications and press workers) were the workers
of the only daily on the island mobilized in order to obtain improved
working conditions.
- The UNASS (Union of social security workers) to demand the maintenance
of social security centers in the communities. The leisure sector, special
education, employment and training, territorial communities were not
overlooked.
This was a particularly propitious period to present our demands since
it corresponded with the arrival of the rum tour. Point a pitre was
'cleaned up' to look its best for visitors. But behind the smoke screen,
Guadalupans live in misery, exclusion and poverty: 60,000 unemployed
(30% of the active population); 32,000 people on RMI state benefits;
90,000 persons living under the poverty line; millions of hectares of
land and Guadeloupans contaminated by chlordecone; closure of hotels.
We should all pretend that everything is all right in the best of worlds.
We are fed up.
What are the perspectives for the development of trade union fights
in the following days?
The workers, the people of Guadeloupe and their trade union organization
have no other choice but to continue to fight. During this period, other
organizations also mobilized and little by little a veritable social
front was organized. In the next few days, meetings with all the trade
unions are foreseen in order to organize to fight and win on the basis
of resolutions adopted at the XI congress of the UGTG that reaffirms
"that the unity and solidarity of the workers and their trade union
organizations are the essential links in the defense of rights and interests
of the majority."
The repression against trade union activists seems to continue with
the sentencing to prison of UGTG activists. What conclusion does the
UGTG draw from this and what do you plan to do?
Guadeloupe is still a French colony where social relations are organized
according to class and race. Colonial justice is pitiless when judging
workers who fight for their right but very 'supple' when it is about
politicians and other delinquent employers especially whites.
We are not scared of repression and it encourages us, day after day,
to reinforce our determination, our engagement and our intransigence
in all circumstances beyond the abominations and other attacks we suffer.
The objective of the employers and their allies (state, justice, officials)
through this repressive wave is to try to transform trade unionism that
questions society into a communication channel for transmission of capital's
directives. They will not pass. This social dialogue of compromise and
the social peace so often longed for by some directly sets back the
cause for independence even of trade union organizations and these are
contrary to the interests of workers and the people of Guadeloupe.
The UGTG has appealed for solidarity and support in trade union demonstrations
and when faced with repression, what messages and support have you received?
Many testimonies and messages of support have come inviting us to pursue
the fight against exploitation and repression. We have also received
communiqués from Caribbean organizations such as the National
Workers Union and the Dominican Workers Union and from Haitian comrades
of the CGTH, the OGITH and the UGTH. We have also received motions of
support from France. Yes, the international solidarity of workers and
their organizations exists and remains essential in the fight against
oppression, capitalist and colonial barbarism throughout the world.
You have been involved as a trade union organization, in international
solidarity these last few weeks with the trade union movement in Haiti
and Mexico. Can you explain?
We recently wrote a letter to Vicente Fox, president of Mexico in order
to condemn the bloody repression of the workers on strike and the inhabitants
who support them in Oaxaca since May 22, 2006 and demand that the Mexican
authorities stop the police and military interventions. Over the next
few days, we will present this demand before the Mexican consulate.
Regarding Haiti, we have written to the authorities in Port au Prince
(President of the republic, prime minister and justice minister) and
demanded the following:
--An end to repression violence and a return to democracy
--The departure of occupation troops and respect for the right of the
Haitian people to sovereignty.
We are in constant contact with our Haitian comrades.
***********************
INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE OF OAXACA AND MEXICO
Tension remains extreme in Oaxaca, which is still under a military
and police occupation. All the organizations are in permanent assembly.
The ILC is publishing below a report on some of the initiatives and
delegations organized in support of the people of Oaxaca and Mexico.
United States
The following resolution was adopted unanimously by the
Delegates Meeting of the San Francisco Labor Council on Monday,
November 13, 2006.
Resolution in Solidarity with the People of Oaxaca
Whereas, 70,000 teachers in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico -- organized
in Section 22 of the National Teachers Union (SNTE) -- went on strike
in May 2006 demanding that all teachers across the State receive wage
increases and wage parity, and that all school children be provided
with shoes, breakfast and uniforms to go to school; and
Whereas, in June 2006, the government of the State of Oaxaca, led by
Governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, unleashed the first brutal attack against
the strike encampments set up by teachers and their supporters; death
squads working with state authorities assassinated striking teachers;
and
Whereas, the people of Oaxaca -- through their labor, community,
political, religious and indigenous organizations -- then rallied
behind the teachers and formed a Popular Assembly of the Peoples of
Oaxaca (APPO) to urge the authorities to meet the strikers' just and
legitimate demands, and, with the Teachers, to demand the resignation
of Governor Ruiz. At that point it became not only a teachers'
strike, but a powerful people's strike for justice and against
violent repression; and
Whereas, on October 29, 2006, the Federal government of President
Vicente Fox sent in 4500 special troops to tear down the barricades
and many of the encampments that the Teachers and people of Oaxaca
had created to defend their strike; and
Whereas, Mexicans across the political spectrum have commented on the
not-so-behind-the-scenes role of the U.S. Embassy. The Bush-appointed
U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza stated on October 28 that the Fox
administration had delayed too long, and needed to send in Federal
troops to Oaxaca. An hour later Fox announced his decision to send in
troops, which he implemented the following day; and
Whereas, over the first six months of struggle in Oaxaca, more than
20 people have been killed, including a north American video
journalist, and hundreds wounded by troops, police and paramilitary
forces. Hundreds have been "disappeared" (many of them feared
dead).
And many hundreds of union and community activists have been jailed.
Yet the popular forces in their hundreds of thousands have continued
to march.
Therefore Be It Resolved, that the San Francisco Labor Council,
AFL-CIO, joins with labor and democratic rights organizations in
Mexico and around the world in urging the federal and state
governments in Mexico to seek every avenue to a peaceful solution to
the conflict in Oaxaca; and
Be it Further Resolved, that we urge the Mexican authorities to
settle the conflict by meeting the legitimate demands put forward by
the teachers and the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca,
including: (1) Immediate withdrawal of all troops and paramilitary
units from the city and state of Oaxaca, (2) Stop the repression and
state-sponsored killings, (3) Removal from office of Governor Ulises
Ruiz Ortiz, instigator of the reign of terror, (4) Release all
detainees and political prisoners, and (5) Governor Ruiz and others
responsible must be brought to justice.
Be it Finally Resolved, that we forward these demands to our Labor
Councils, National Unions, State Federations, AFL-CIO and Change to
Win Federation, urging them to embrace these demands and to act in
solidarity with the teachers and popular movement of Oaxaca.
(Resolution submitted by Dave Welsh, NALC #214; Alan Benjamin, OPEIU
#3; and Frank Martin del Campo, LCLAA)
-----
Delegations to the Embassies
Brazil - Sao Paulo
A delegation was received on November 9 by the ambassador of Mexico
in Sao Paulo, Andrés Valencia Benavides.
The delegation was composed of leaders of the national teachers union
from eleven states, as well as Oton Neves, the trade union leader of
the higher education union in Brazilia (SINDSEF-DF).
The ambassador tried to justify the vote recount method used to validate
the fraud in the elections of last July 2nd. Concerning Oaxaca, he explained
that "the conflict is no longer about demands, it is political,
which thus has nothing to do with human rights" and that "the
Mexican constitution does not permit any political interference."
The delegation explained that even if the conflict was "only political"
(which it is not) "the question of Oaxaca concerns all the workers
of the world, beginning with those in Latin America, because it is human
rights issue; there are deaths, wounded, and disappeared." The
delegation repeated the demand that the Mexican government respond positively
to the demands presented by the people and wrote in the document submitted
to the ambassador that they recognized "Obrador as the only legitimate
president, as millions of people have declared in the streets."
In conclusion, the ambassador decided to transmit to the government
the information raised by the delegation.
Markus Sokol
-----
Switzerland
A delegation went to the embassy on November 13, on the initiative
of the International Commission of the CGAS, the ILC, the SSP-VPOD,
the SEV-TPG, and the UNIA trade unions. The delegation was received
by the vice-ambassador.
-----
Portugal
A second delegation was received by the embassy. The delegation was
composed of teachers and trade union leaders from Lisbon.
-----
Spain
A second delegation was received by the Mexican ambassador in Madrid.
This delegation was composed of seven trade union leaders from the metal
sector and public services of the UGT and the CC.OO. A delegation also
took place in Bilbao, mandated by the UGT chemical workers' federation.
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