Resolutions from the Cuba/Venezuela/Mexico/North America Labor Conference 2008

Six documents follow:
1) Original Final Declaration written originally in Spanish
2) Draft English translation of Final Declaration
3) Resolution to form an Attorney's Commission to investigate the detention of Carlos Pavon from the Miners Union in Mexico and repression of that union (in original Spanish - no English translation)
4) Resolution supporting International Workers Solidarity Month - May 2008 (original English - no Spanish translation)
5) Resolution to Defend Longshore Workers' Rights! (original English - no Spanish translation - see leaflet posted separately)
6) Resolution to Support Sit-Down Strikers at Republic Window and Doors in Chicago (This struggle was settled to the workers satisfaction)(original English - no Spanish translation)

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V CONFERENCIA LABORAL

DECLARACIÓN DE TIJUANA

Más de cien participantes de organizaciones sindicales y sociales de Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, de Mexico, de Cuba, de Haití, de Bolivia, de Ecuador, de Colombia, y de Filipinas, participantes en la V Conferencia de intercambio laboral celebrada en Tijuana, los días 5, 6 y 7 de diciembre DEL 2008, declaran que:

El orden económico y social vigente en casi todo el mundo, ha sufrido una debacle de proporciones inusitadas demostrando que no sólo se trata de una crisis del sector financiero, sino que abarca todas las esferas de la producción, del consumo, de la inversión y del comercio, y que está empujando a una depresión económica mundial.

Las consecuencias sociales derivadas de las perniciosas políticas neoliberales, agravadas con la crisis financiera, energética y alimentaria internacional, tienen, como causa, la imposición del pensamiento único neoliberal generador de la exclusión, marginación, violencia y de efectos irreversibles ocasionados al planeta.

La quiebra del sistema financiero internacional evidencia el carácter especulador y expoliador del capitalismo y la inmoralidad de los grandes capitales.

Mientras los gobiernos poderosos hoy corren para salvar a los causantes de la debacle, son las victimas: los/as trabajadores/as y los pueblos, quienes sufren sus consecuencias.

Esta crisis parece anunciar el final de una era y un punto de inflexión en la historia de la humanidad, que hará que las cosas ya no vuelvan a ser como eran. Somos testigos del principio del fin del modelo neoliberal y de su ideología.

El mundo está ante un enorme desafío y una gran oportunidad que no se puede dejar pasar sin discutir las bases mismas del orden social vigente y proponer alternativas.

Hay que comenzar por plantearnos la caducidad del injusto modelo que, sin asidero ético, provoca una sociedad segmentada, con individuos que tienen los medios de producción y los que sólo disponen de su capacidad de trabajo.

Otro mundo no sólo es posible, sino absolutamente necesario y en ese mundo los/as trabajadores/as y sus derechos deben tener preferencia.

Tiene que haber cambios estructurales fundamentales para transformar al sistema mundial económico y financiero para que otras crisis como la que hoy nos afecta, no ocurran nunca más.

Tiene que haber estructuras y políticas económicas globales que prioricen las necesidades de los pueblos, que respeten y promuevan los derechos humanos y la justicia social y ambiental; que amparen el empleo decoroso, medios de vida sustentables, servicios esenciales como el cuidado de la salud, la educación, vivienda, servicios de agua y energía limpia.

Este sistema puede y debe ser cambiado. El problema no es la crisis del capitalismo, no, sino el capitalismo mismo.

Ante estas realidades los sindicatos tenemos deberes.

Ø Los grandes conglomerados financieros y las transnacionales ejecutan y se benefician de crímenes de lesa humanidad para la realización de sus negocios. En el 2008 el Tribunal Permanente de los Pueblos, juzgó y condenó por estos hechos a decenas de transnacionales, al gobierno de Colombia y a los gobiernos de los países de las casas matrices. La campaña global que se adelanta contra Coca Cola evidencia esta difícil realidad.

Llamamos a fortalecer las iniciativas de resistencia y las campañas globales que contra diferentes transnacionales se adelantan (Coca Cola, Nestlé, Occidental Petroleum, Repsol, BP, entre otras.)

Ø Vivimos en un mundo en el que los “pocos ricos” desprecian, discriminan, y esclavizan a los “muchos pobres”.

Esto es posible por la alianza en la que se funda su unidad como clase social defendiendo así su sistema cuya fuerza utilizan para enfrentar, atacar, manipular, dividir, desviar y debilitar a los/as trabajadores/as y a su organización colectiva: los sindicatos.

La iniciativa unitaria que constituye este encuentro, en el que se ha logrado abordar algunos de los problemas que afectan a los/as trabajadores/as, se plantea promover acciones que conduzcan a la recuperación de la capacidad de lucha de los/as trabajadores/as y del dinamismo y representatividad en la actuación sindical defendiendo la independencia de clase y la autonomía sindical como son: la defensa de los derechos laborales y sociales; la lucha por la integración solidaria y soberana entre los pueblos.

Ø Expresamos nuestra solidaridad activa y militante con la revolución Cubana, ejemplo de resistencia y lucha consecuente contra el imperialismo y demandamos al nuevo gobierno de EE.UU., el levantamiento del bloqueo económico y el cese inmediato de todo tipo de agresiones que impidan su estabilidad y desarrollo.

Reclamamos la liberación de los 5 Héroes Cubanos presos injustamente por luchar contra el terrorismo anticubano y exigimos sean otorgadas las visas a sus familiares y particularmente a Adriana Pérez y Olga Salanueva esposas de Gerardo y René cruelmente impedidas de encontrarse con ellos.

Ø Igualmente expresamos nuestro apoyo a los procesos de transformación socio-políticos que se vienen dando en la región latinoamericana y en particular a los gobiernos de los países que impulsan el ALBA. Proclamamos nuestra solidaridad con los gobiernos democráticos de Nicaragua, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Haitì y Paraguay.

Ø En la actualidad la tendencia que caracteriza a la región latinoamericana no es la entrega a los poderosos, sino la construccion de otra sociedad en la que el pueblo trabajador sea el beneficiario de las riquezas que durante siglos les han sido expoliadas. Así está siendo impuesta la voluntad popular. El movimiento sindical no puede estar al margen de esta tendencia.

El futuro es del sindicalismo clasista comprometido con las transformaciones sociales que buscan ese otro mundo posible al que aspiran los pueblos.

Los participantes fueron convocados a participar en la II Versión del encuentro sindical “Nuestra América” a celebrarse en Octubre del 2009 en Brasil como parte de los esfuerzos para forjar la unidad en la acción de la que tan requerido estamos.

Ø Exigimos:

ü Erradicar las inhumanas prácticas que amparadas por el gobierno, hacen de Colombia el país mas peligroso para defender derechos sindicales y sociales.

ü Suprimir las leyes laborales que en Filipinas protegen la persecución de los líderes sindicales que defienden el respeto a los derechos de los/as trabajadores/as.

ü La salida de las tropas que en nombre de Naciones Unidas ocupan el territorio haitiano cuyo pueblo, con justeza reclama el respeto a su soberanía y autodeterminación.

ü La liberación de Mumia Abu-Jamal, Leonard Peltier y otros prisioneros políticos en los Estados Unidos de América.

ü El respeto por el gobierno mexicano a los justos reclamos de los mineros en Cananaza, estado de Sonora, Guerrero, San Martín y en Zacatecas. Igualmente la solución de las demandas de los maestros.

Los/as participantes reconocieron que esta V Conferencia les abrió espacios para el intercambio y también les proporcionó razones para fortalecerse y animarse, aun en mayor medida, para continuar comprometidos/as en la lucha por un mundo mejor que es posible, pero necesario conquistar, por lo que convocan a celebrar la VI Conferencia de Intercambio Laboral en el mes de Diciembre del 2009.

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Draft English translation

V LABOR CONFERENCE

STATEMENT FROM TIJUANA

Over one hundred participants from trade union and social organizations in the United States of America, from Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia and the Philippines, participating in the Labor Exchange’s V Conference held in Tijuana, the on 5, 6 and Dec. 7 of 2008, s declare that:

The present economic and social force almost everywhere in the world, has suffered a debacle of unusual proportions demonstrating that it not only has been a crisis in the financial sector, but covers all areas of production, consumption, investment and trade, and is pushing a worldwide economic depression.

The social consequences arising from the harmful neoliberal policies, aggravated by the financial crisis, international food and energy crises, are caused by the imposition of neoliberal thinking that generates exclusion, marginalization, violence and has caused irreversible effects on the planet.

The failure of the international financial system is evidence of the speculative and exploitive nature of capitalism and the immorality of the great capitalists.

Meanwhile, powerful governments dispatched help to save those who caused the debacle, while the victims: the workers and the people, suffer its consequences.

This crisis seems to herald the end of an era and a turning point in human history, which will cause life to never again be like they were. We are witnessing the beginning of the end of the neoliberal model and its ideology.

The world faces a huge challenge and a great opportunity that can not allow to pass by without questioning the very foundations of present social order and propose alternatives.

We must begin by raising the expiration of the unjust model without bail ethical that causes a society divided between individuals who own the means of production and those who have only their ability to work.

Another world is not only possible but absolutely necessary. In that world the workers and their rights must take precedence.

There must be fundamental structural changes to transform the global economic and financial system so another crises like the one that affects us today, can never occur again.

There must be global economic structures and policies that prioritize the needs of the people, that respect and promote human rights and social justice and the environment; that protect the decent and full employment, sustainable livelihoods, essential services like health care, education, housing, water services and clean energy. This system can and must be changed. The problem is not the crisis of capitalism, no, but capitalism itself.

Faced with these realities unions have these duties.

The large conglomerates and transnational conduct their businesses to profit from crimes against humanity. In 2008 the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal, tried and convicted dozens of these transnations, the Colombian government and the governments of the parent countries by these facts . The global campaign being conducted against Coca Cola is evidence this difficult reality.

We call to strengthen the initiatives and campaigns of resistance against different global transnationals like Coca Cola, Nestle, Occidental Petroleum, Repsol, BP, among others.

We live in a world in which the "few rich" despise, discriminate, and enslave the "vast numbers of poor people."

This is made possible by the alliance in which its unity is based on a social class that defends its system using its force to confront, attack, manipulate, divide, distract and weaken the workers and their collective organization: the unions.

The single initiative from this conference, which has managed to address some of the problems that affect the workers, is to promote actions leading to the recovery of the ability to the workers to fight with dynamism and representation in the trade union action to defend the independence of the working class and trade union independence, such as: the defense of labor and social rights, the fight for integration and solidarity between sovereign peoples.

We express our active and militant solidarity with the Cuban revolution, an example of resistance and struggle against imperialism, and consequently demand that the new U.S. government lift the economic blockade and immediately cease all types of aggression that would impede Cuba’s stability and development.

We demand the release of the 5 Cuban Heroes unjustly imprisoned for fighting anti-Cuban terrorism and demand that visas be granted to their family members and particularly to Olga Salanueva and Adriana Perez wives of Gerardo and René who are cruelly prevented from visiting them.

We also express our support for the social and political transformation processes that have been occurring in the Latin American region and in particular the governments of countries that drive ALBA. We declare our solidarity with the democratic governments of Nicaragua, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Haiti and Paraguay.

At present the trend that characterizes the Latin American region is not surrendering to the powerful, but the construction of another society where the working people are the beneficiary of the wealth that for centuries has been stolen against the people's will. The union movement can not be outside this trend.

The future is in class conscious trade unionism together with social transformations that are looking for the “other world that is possible” to which the people aspire.

Participants are invited to participate in the Second Edition of the labor meeting "Our America" to be held in October 2009 in Brazil as part of efforts to forge unity in action which is so necessary.

We demand:

• Eliminating the inhumane practices, supported by the government, that make Colombia the most dangerous country in which to defend union rights and social issues.
• Abolish the Philippine labor laws that protect the persecution of union leaders who advocate respect for the rights of workers.
• The withdrawal of UN troops occupying Haitian territory whose people justly demand respect for their sovereignty and self-determination.
• The release of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Leonard Peltier and other political prisoners in the United States of America.
• That the Mexican government respects the just demands of the miners in Cananea in the state of Sonora, Guerrero, San Martin and in Zacatecas. Equally, we demand a resolution to the demands of the teachers.

The participants acknowledged that this fifth conference opened spaces for exchange and also gave them reason to be strengthened and encouraged, even more committed to continue in the struggle for a better world that is possible, but must be won, and so decided to convene the Sixth Conference of the Labor Exchange in December 2009.

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Tijuana, Mexico

A La Clase Trabajadora

A Las Organizaciones Campasinas, sociales y politicas

A La opinion publica

Presentes:

Los asistentes al evento internacional de Cuba/Venezuela/Mexico/North America Labor Conference – Tijuana, BC, Mexico

No pronunciamos en solidaridad con las siguientes organizationes y referents sindicales: frente syndical mexicano, confederacion de jubilados, pensionados y adultos mayors de la republica Mexicana A.C., Coordinadora nacional de trabajadores de la educacion confederacion nacional campesina, dialogo nacional, asociacion nacional de abogados democraticos movimiento de liberacion nacional, organizacion nacional del poder popular, frente syndical mexicano, sindicato nacional de trabajadores mineros, metalurgicos, siderurgicos y similares de la republica Mexicana, union nacional de trabajadores.

Para denunciar la detencion el 4 de diciembre del companero Carlos Pavon Campos, secretario de asuntos politicos de Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalurgicos y Similares de la Republica Mexicana y Juan Linares Montufar.

Apoyamos al Sindicato Mexicano de Electricistas para comenzar ya una campana internacional de solidaridad, para que organizaciones de todo mundo, conozcan la politica laboral del gobierno mexicano, en contra de la clase trabajadora, y expresamos nuestro apoyo a los camaradas mineros.

Estamos de acuerdo en la decision de las organizaciones sindicales en Mexico para enviar una Comision de Abogados a la ciudad de Monclava, Coahuila, para concer de primera mano la actual situacion juridical de nuestros companeros detenidos e iniciar los tramites legales, para su ionmediata liberacion

¡Por la libertad y los derechos de la clase trabajadora!

Firma de los asistentes a la conferencia:

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Resolution passed unanimously in Tijuana Mexico on Sunday December 7, 2008

Extending Mayday 2009 to the entire month of May, thus making May 2009 International Workers Solidarity Month.

We, the participants of Cuba/Venezuela/Mexico/North America 5th Annual Labor Conference in the city of Tijuana, including the representation of labor delegates from Mexico, the Philippines, Ecuador, the U.S., Bolivia, Haiti, and Colombia;

Encourage all progressive, working class and revolutionary forces to extend observation of May Day, international workers day, in 2009, to the entire month of May 2009, making it international workers solidarity month.

We understanding that, now in the midst of the severest global capitalist economic crises since the depression of the 1930s, the bankers and bosses and imperialist will try to solve this crisis on the backs of the global working class.

Therefore, tactics that can maximize working class solidarity across borders are know more than ever, a fundamental necessity.

We must anticipate that the enemies of the working class will intensify their methods aimed at dividing the working class, so as to undermine its unity in the struggle. We must prepare for a rise in racism and national oppression. We know that one of their main

weapons of division will be to intensify the campaign to demonize, and persecute immigrant workers.

Expanding International Workers Day to Workers Solidarity Month is one tactic that can be utilized towards the end of strengthening international class solidarity.

We realize that this is merely an idea, and that its effectiveness will be measured by the degree to which the mass movements embrace the idea, utilize and shape it.

However, if it is embraced, making the month of May 2009, International Workers Solidarity Month has the potential of creating greater impetus and space to lift up and connect more strongly to priorities of the working class such struggles as Freedom for Cuban 5, and solidarity with the workers movements in Latin American and the Caribbean, and all over the world, including the anti-imperialist struggles form the Philippines, to Iraq, Palestine, and Africa.

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It is our understanding that the charges against Brothers Jason Ruffin and Aaron Harrison have been dropped. The ILWU is continuing with a victory demonstration. (see leaflet posted separately for details and instructions on sending solidarity messages.)

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Resolution of Tijuana Conference in Support of Workers occupation
in Chicago (unanimously adopted Dec. 7, 2008) 

We, the participants of Cuba/Venezuela/Mexico/North America
5th Annual Labor Conference in the city of Tijuana,
including the representation of leading labor delegates
from the Philippines, Ecuador, the U.S., Bolivia, Haiti
and Colombia: 

Extend our solidarity with the 200 courageous workers who
are now in the third day of their occupation of the
Republic Window and Door plant in the city of Chicago
in the U.S. The workers, which include most of the 250
workers employed at the plant, began their occupation
on Friday, December 5 - the day that the plant was
closed - and all of the workers were fired. 

The occupation is a direct consequence of the process
that has intensified with the worsening of the global
financial crises in recent months. The Chicago plant is
closing because Bank of America, perhaps the biggest
bank in the world, and a bank that has received in
recent months hundreds of billions of dollars in bail
out money from the U.S. government, refused to extend
a line of credit to the plant’s owners.

The workers, who are primarily Latino immigrants and
members of the United Electrical Workers Union local
1110, were not given the legally mandated, 60-day
Federal prior notification or 75-day Illinois required
notice of the plant’s closing. And, the plant management
and owners did not show up to a meeting with the workers
that had been scheduled for Friday. Now the workers have
vowed to stay in the plant until the owners agree to pay
them all 60/75 days severance pay and holiday pay.

Already, word of the occupation has spread across the 
U.S. and the world and support for it is growing. 

We support the occupation, we support the workers
demands, and we are inspired by the militant example
of resistance that the workers in Chicago are setting. 

Most importantly, we call on the workers of the U.S.,
including the organized labor movement, to give the
workers´ occupation in Chicago its full political and
material solidarity and support. These workers are not
only fighting for themselves, they are fighting for the
rights of all workers everywhere. How can we do any
less than to stand with them until victory. 

Demonstrate at Bank of America near you!

Chicago:
Sun., Dec. 7, 10:30 AM Jessie Jackson and Rainbow PUSH deliver turkeys to workers
occupying Republic Windows and Doors factory, 1333 N Hickory St. (near corner of
Halsted and Division)
Mon., Dec. 8, 12 noon - Press Conference before UE workers meet with Bank of America
and company executives. Supports welcome, bring food and monetary donations.
Tues., Dec. 9, 12 noon - Solidarity action at Bank of America, 231 S. LaSalle,
Chicago, IL

CHICAGO RALLY: Wed., Dec 10, Bank of America Headquarters  Noon, 231 S. La Salle
St (downtown)(see www.ueunion.org)
Atlanta, GA:
Thurs., Dec. 11, 12 Noon - Bank of America - contact atlantaiac@aol.com for details.
Baltimore, MD:
Wed., Dec. 10, Emergency Demonstration at Bank of America, Downtown Corner of
Redwood and Light Street. Call 410-467-6132 for details.
Charlotte, NC:
Mon., Dec 8, 12 Noon - Picket at Bank of American national Headquarters to support
Republic workers. Corner of Trade St and Tryon in downtown Charlotte. Organized by
UE local 150. call Dante Strobino at 919-539-2051 for more info
Detroit, MI:
Wed., Dec 10 12:00 noon - PROTEST RALLY, WEDS. DEC. 10,12:00 NOON - BANK OF AMERICA, 
Guardian Building, Congress at Griswold, downtown Detroit. For more information
contact: Moratorium NOW! Coalition 313-887-4344
Los Angeles, CA:
Wed., Dec. 10 – 4:30 pm – Bank of America location 6th and Hill St. –
call: 323 899 2003
NYC, NY:
Wed., Dec. 10, 12 Noon, Bank of America, 261 Broadway www.bailoutpeople.org
San Francisco, CA: Bail out Workers, Not Banks! Stop Plant Closings!Protest Bank of
America, Tues., Dec. 9, 5pm Powell and Market