HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY Cesar E. Chavez

 Born on this day, March 31, 1927

Chile: Protestas masivas a nivel nacional demandan fin del sistema privatizado de pensiones

 

El domingo, en Chile, cientos de miles de personas salieron a las calles en todo el país para protestar por el sistema privatizado de pensiones vigente en ese país. Los manifestantes sostienen que el sistema beneficia a los ricos y deja a los pobres con una pensión mensual por debajo del salario mínimo. Los activistas afirman que unos dos millones de personas se manifestaron en todo el país; más del 10% de la población de Chile. Las siguientes son palabras del activista Luis Mesina.

Luis Mesina expresó: “En esta gran manifestación esperamos juntamente expresar, de manera mayoritaria, multitudinaria, que los trabajadores no vamos a descansar hasta acabar con este maldito sistema que condena a nuestros padres, a nuestros abuelos, a pensiones miserables”.

Helen Keller -- Labor's Unsung Hero

The true task is to unite  and organize all workers on an economic basis, and it is the workers themselves who must secure freedom  for themselves, who must grow strong.

Helen Keller (1880-1968) is perhaps the most recognized symbol of the disability community - a powerful representative of a person overcoming almost insurmountable obstacles. Yet the now-mythic story of Keller as a deaf-blind child learning to communicate with her teacher has overshadowed the complex story of the mature advocate, activist, lecturer and author who honed her intellect and leveraged her celebrity to side with the disadvantaged the world over - especially in defense of the American working classes.  Born in Alabama to a wealthy family, she lost her sight and hearing as an infant as a result of illness. In 1887, the teacher Anne Sullivan came to help with her education, leading to the breakthrough dramatized in the play and the 1962 motion picture "The Miracle Worker." Educated at the Perkins School for the Blind outside Boston, in 1904 Keller was the first deaf-blind person to earn a college degree. In 1903, at the age of 22, she published the first installment of her autobiography "The Story of My Life," which became a bestseller and brought her worldwide fame. In 1908 Keller joined the American Socialist Party (SP) and the Women's Suffrage movement. In 1912, she joined the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), noting in her lectures that that many forms of blindness prevalent in the U.S. were traceable to industrial working conditions. In 1912 she supported Margaret Sanger in her fight for women's legal access to birth control. Keller participated in a 1914 peace-for-Europe demonstration with the Women's Peace Party, afterward giving a speech at Carnegie Hall. During her life, she counted among her friends and acquaintances prominent American activists and radicals such as John Reed, Emma Goldman, Eugene Debs, Langston Hughes, Upton Sinclair, Clarence Darrow, Anna Strunsky, William "Big Bill" Haywood, and W. E. B. Du Bois IWW leader Elizabeth Gurley Flynn credited Keller as playing an important role in the development of her own socialist politics Keller was an outspoken supporter of the NAACP. In 1920, she was a founder and board member of the ACLU and publicly defended in letters and essays many Americans accused of treason and sedition. Helen Keller's books were banned and burned by the Nazis. In 1938, she wrote a letter to the New York Times criticizing the American press for ignoring the plight of people with disabilities in Germany. At the time, persons with disabilities (labeled "defectives") were explicitly prohibited from immigrating to most Western nations, including the U.S. The FBI maintained a file on Keller. Undaunted, at the height of the Cold War in 1950s, Keller publicly declared that she would never renounce her socialist politics.         Women have discovered  that they cannot rely on men's chivalry to  give them justice.

Journalists, interviewers and editors frequently redacted, edited or outright censored her comments to fit the sensibilities of the times. Keller herself noted the contradiction in the way her life and ideas were treated - how the iconic story of the disabled child cast a long shadow over her own mature ideas and activism. In the second installment of her autobiography in 1929, she reflected: "So long as I confine my activities to social service and the blind, they compliment me extravagantly . . . but when it comes to discussion of a burning social or political issue, especially if I happen to be, as I so often am, on the unpopular side, the tone changes completely. They are grieved because they imagine I am in the hands of unscrupulous persons who take advantage of my afflictions to make me a mouthpiece for their own ideas  . . . I like frank debate, and I do not object to harsh criticism so long as I am treated like a human being with a mind of her own."

WFTU statement on the World Water Day

In our days, hundreds of millions of people living without access to clean water, almost half of the world population has no access to sanitation facilities, 600 million children do not have adequate access to water, and millions of people die every year due to lack of water. The present situation is the result of capitalist mode of production, the uncontrollable industrial production and imperialist wars provoke serious problems for the environment and water deposits.

For the WFTU the water is a public good, a valuable natural resource subject to absolute protection of its quantity and quality, which has to be provided with special care for the balanced satisfaction of the modern popular needs and for the maintenance of nature.

The WFTU and the class oriented trade union movement struggle and demand to put into practice, that “water for human use” is not a merchantable product, it must not fall within the meaning of food and should be provided adequately, under the direct responsibility of each government, equally to all citizens of the dominion, as a public good, not being amenable to the “laws of market” and ruled by the rules of health engineering.

The Secretariat

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: March 21

On March 21, 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people and wounded 180 others who were peacefully demonstrating against apartheid “pass laws” in the township of Sharpeville, South Africa. The General Assembly of the United Nations subsequently declared March 21 the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, calling on the international community to commemorate that tragedy and work together to confront racism and discrimination wherever they exist.

For CUPE, March 21 is a day to remember the struggles and challenges that racialized and Indigenous peoples have long endured. It is also a time to recognize and applaud the fact that members of these communities have made anti-racism work a significant part of their unions’ agenda. Their active participation has strengthened our movement by bringing new ideas, perspective and energy into the struggles of working people.

We need that energy to counteract the rise of exclusionary politics, heightened by leaders like U.S.President Donald Trump and his divisive policies of walls and deportations. And we need to foster even more solidarity, especially now in the aftermath of the terrorist attack at the Quebec mosque in January where six Muslim men lost their lives.

Given all this, CUPE repeats its call to the Canadian federal government to suspend the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement which requires refugee claimants to seek refuge in the first safe country where they arrive. The U.S. can no longer be considered a “safe third country.” We further call on the federal government to fulfill its treaty obligations and to uphold its commitment to pursue true nation-to-nation relationships with Indigenous peoples. And we call on the federal government to seriously address racism in all its forms, including anti-Black racism and Islamophobia.

And we encourage all CUPE members to recommit to equity and freedom for all.

March 21 is a special day of commemoration, but at CUPE, we believe the ideal time to renew our commitment to eliminating racism and discrimination is every day. You can be part of that movement for change.

Take action:

•      Bargain employment equity language into your collective agreement to help ensure that your workplace represents the diversity of your community. Stay tuned for CUPE’s new ‘bargaining employment equity’ guide, which will be part of our bargaining equality resource collection.

•      Participate in a union workshop on anti-racism practices, or dealing with harassment, discrimination or bullying. Invite someone to speak about anti-racism at your next union meeting.

•      Intervene – educate yourself on the best ways to intervene to challenge racist actions and how best to support the person or group affected. Speak out against racist acts like jokes, slurs, graffiti or name-calling.

•      Challenge racist and discriminatory policies and practices in your workplace.

•      Challenge yourself – consider how some of your own assumptions might be influenced by discrimination.

•      Become an ally – an ally is someone who actively supports racialized groups facing challenges. Being in alliance helps strengthen relationships in the workplace.

Read more:

•      Read the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and explore how you can support the calls to action for reconciliation.

•      Review the preliminary report by the United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent which addresses systemic racism faced by people of African descent across Canada.

Please join us in calling attention to tools like our anti-racism brochure, Diversity, Our Strength, and other online resources at http://cupe.ca/racial-equality.

USA: New York, the WFTU struggles everywhere

The World Federation of Trade Unions struggles in every corner of the planet for the rights of working women and for the problems that concern all of us.

From yesterday, 20th March, a WFTU women delegation, made up by our colleagues Carmela Sifuentes from CGTP-Peru, Makhupola Hilda from NEHAWU-South Africa and Anda Anastasaki, General Coordinator of the WFTU Central Offices, are taking part in the special session of the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW61) of the United Nations, putting forward the militant positions of the WFTU, decided by the 17th World Trade Union Congress. The WFTU utilizes its presence in the international organizations so as to make the voice of workers heard loud everywhere and always.

Announcement on the Asia Pacific Regional meeting in Chennai (India) on 19th & 20th May 2017

10 Mar 2017

ASIA, ASIA PACIFIC, PACIFI

We are glad to inform all WFTU affiliates and friends in the Asia Pacific Region that it is decided, as concurred by APRO as well as the WFTU Central Office, to organize an important meeting of the Asia Pacific Region in Chennai (India) on 19th & 20th May 2017. The exact venue of the meeting will be intimated by the host to all concerned in due course, in their invitation letter to the participants.

We request all WFTU affiliates in the Region to attend this meeting being held in Chennai, India. This meeting is meant to discuss, review and strengthen the WFTU and WFTU activities in this strategic region. The Durban Congress has given several clarion calls for the world working class movement and to decide the future programs and activities internationally and nationally. This meeting, we believe, will be an important step in the right direction.

The host has agreed to meet the boarding and lodging and local transport facilities to all the participants, one from each organization and in exceptional cases to a maximum of two, during the meeting, including 3 night stays in Chennai on the 18th, 19th & 20th May, 2017. The to and fro expenses and additional stay if any will have to borne by the participants/their organizations.

The names of the participants from the countries outside India be forwarded to the host, WFTU APRO, with full details as in their passport at the very earliest, so as to send them individual invitation letter for the purpose of applying and obtaining Indian Visa. Comrade George Mavrikos, General Secretary of the WFTU will attend at the Asia Pacific Regional Meeting in Chennai.

Still feel free to contact WFTU Head Quarters/APRO in New Delhi, if you need any clarification. We will collectively make the event very successful, so as to ensure the strong WFTU in the Asia Pacific Region.

With warm greetings,

GEORGE MAVRIKOS

WFTU GENERAL SECRETARY

HARIHARAN MAHADEVAN

HEAD OF THE ASIA & PACIFIC R.O

Declaración del Encuentro Sindical Nuestra América, ESNA El ESNA adhiere a las movilizaciones por el DÍA INTERNACIONAL DE LAS MUJERES TRABAJADORAS

Miércoles 8 de marzo de 2017

El ESNA adhiere y convoca a todas las movilizaciones por el Día Internacional de las Mujeres, como expresión de la lucha del movimiento obrero por acumular fuerza ideológica, política, social y cultural en defensa de los derechos de las trabajadoras y los trabajadores, de la democracia y contra el machismo, el patriarcado y la explotación capitalista.

La realidad y todos los informes y estudios sobre el trabajo ponen de manifiesto la discriminación de género contra las mujeres, al tiempo que explicitan la mayor explotación de su fuerza de trabajo y especialmente de las jóvenes trabajadoras.

Menores salarios e ingresos con peores condiciones de trabajo para las mujeres son parte de la cotidianeidad, a lo que se suman las condiciones impuestas de trabajo gratuito en el cuidado y la reproducción de la vida familiar y social.

Esa súper explotación es la base material de la cultura patriarcal, de la violencia que llega al femicidio y la discriminación hacia las mujeres.

Desde el ESNA y en el marco de la confrontación contra la ofensiva capitalista y el patriarcado estamos comprometidos con la lucha por el “NI UNA MENOS”.

Dado en Nuestramérica, 4 de marzo de 2017

WFTU statement on the working conditions at garment industry in Myanmar

09 Mar 2017

ASIA, MYANMAR

The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing 92 million workers in the 5 continents, extends its firm solidarity with the garment workers in Myanmar who have been struggling for better working conditions and benefits over the last period.

The working conditions in Myanmar are a typical example of the very high exploitation rates in the garment sector in Asia. Specifically in Myanmar a minimum monthly wage is around $63, based on a six-day work week.

The World Federation of Trade Unions supports the fair demands of the workers and stands in solidarity with them. The WFTU ensures the working class of Myanmar and worldwide that they can rely on the support and solidarity of the international class oriented trade union movement.

The Secretariat

New Poll Shows Majorities Do Not Support GOP Proposals for Social Security and Medicare

Eight in Ten Americans Favor Increasing Social Security Benefits by Lifting the Tax Cap

February 14, 2017

News Release

Americans overwhelmingly support traditional Social Security and Medicare and oppose benefit cuts, according to a new poll released today by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. At a time when Congressional Republicans are proposing to fundamentally alter both programs, strong majorities of voters want Congress to protect Social Security and Medicare – and intensely disagree with key provisions of GOP plans.

In the poll of likely voters, 79% favor increasing Social Security benefits --- and funding that increase by having wealthy Americans pay the same rate into Social Security as everyone else.   Seventy-seven percent oppose raising the Social Security retirement age to 69, and a whopping 93% favor allowing Medicare to negotiate to bring down the price of prescription drugs.

“These results prove that Americans want Congress to honor the commitment to all working people who paid into Social Security and Medicare, and keep their hands off these programs,” said Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. “This should be a warning to members of Congress that they tamper with our cherished social insurance programs at their peril.”

The poll results were released today at the U.S. Capitol by Richtman, with Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD); Rep. John Larson (D-CT); Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA); Celinda Lake, President Lake Research Partners; Witold Skwierczynski, President, National Council of SSA Field Operations Locals, Council 220, American Federation of Government Employees; Steve Hill, Director of Retirement Security Campaigns, SEIU; and Nancy Olumekor, Director, American Postal Workers Union Retiree Department.  

“Social Security and Medicare represent a promise America has made to all those participating in this system,” said Senator Van Hollen. “Americans overwhelmingly want to strengthen these essential lifelines. I strongly support efforts to ensure that these programs can increase benefits and continue to deliver financial security for generations to come.”

Representative Larson said the poll underscores popular support for the kinds of measures he proposes in his Social Security 2100 Act, which keeps the program solvent into the next century while increasing benefits.  “Social Security is not an entitlement; it’s insurance we paid for,” said Larson.  “Let’s say to President Trump:  join us in protecting and expanding Social Security.”

Representative Tony Cardenas (D-CA) made an emotional plea to preserve the two programs by citing a family story. “My grandson’s great-grandmother was saved by Medicare.  It’s a matter of dignity and life.”  He railed against proposals to privatize social insurance programs.  “Do we value dignity? Do we value life?  Make our President and our Congress commit that they will not take it away from you!”

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE POLL:

• 74% favor gradually requiring employees and employers to pay Social Security taxes on wages above $127K, including majorities across party lines.
• 75% favor including a Social Security benefits credit for up to five years of time spent outside the paid workforce caring for young children, aging seniors, or family members with disabilities.
• 65% oppose raising the Medicare eligibility age to 67.

The poll of 800 likely voters nationwide was commissioned by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and conducted by Lake Research Partners from January 4 to January 7, 2017. The poll was co-sponsored by the American Federation of Government Employees, American Postal Workers Union, Service Employees International Union and the United Steelworkers.