[mobglob-discuss] Fw: Colombian banana workers vote to strike, appeal for support

[Paul Browning]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <ericlee at labourstart.org>
To: <labourstart at unionlists.org.uk>
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 12:11 AM
Subject: Colombian banana workers vote to strike, appeal for support


> In this week's mailing:
> 
> * Colombia: Banana workers vote to strike, appeal for international support
> * USA: 3 dates for your diary
> * Campaign updates - Thailand, Cambodia
> * And finally . . .
> 
> ***
> 
> COLOMBIA: BANANA WORKERS VOTE TO STRIKE, APPEAL FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
> 
> Colombia is the most dangerous place on earth to be a trade unionist.  More trade unionists are killed there than in any other country.  That's why appeals from Colombian trade unions take on a special urgency.
> 
> This week, we've received an appeal from workers in the banana plantations of Urabá, Colombia, who have voted to strike to protest sub-contracting and the casualization of labour (issues with which you are no doubt familiar in your own countries).
> 
> But because this is Colombia, the union is asking trade unionists to write to the government asking it to guarantee the right to collective bargaining and union recognition.  Please send off your message today from the website of the Geneva-based foodworkers' international, the IUF:
> 
> http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/dbman/db.cgi?db=default&uid=default&ID=1547&view_records=1&ww=1&en=1
> 
> ***
> 
> USA: 3 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
> 
> Three very important initiatives have recently been announced in the USA -- campaigns that LabourStart readers will want to be involved in.
> 
> Saturday, 19 June: Tens of thousands of people -- those who have health insurance and those who don't, those who fear losing coverage and those who have too little -- will join together across the country to bridge the gap in health care. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge, they will take part in a national action to call for quality, affordable, health care for all. More details here: http://www.imahealthcarevoter.org/bridgingthegap 
> 
> Monday, 28 June - Sunday, 4 July: The AFL-CIO is organizing a National Workplace Week of Action in support of the right to join trade unions.  This year, union activists will distribute worksite fliers comparing the presidential candidates' positions on workers' freedom to form unions and bargain collectively. Union members and activists will send postcards urging President George W. Bush to change his mind and support the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), which would clear many of the unfair obstacles workers face when they try to join together in unions. They also will send postcards thanking Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) for co-sponsoring the EFCA. In Congress, Kerry is one of 30 senators and 197 representatives who are co-sponsoring the EFCA, the first major effort in a quarter century to restore the promise of federal labor law protecting workers' freedom to form unions. More details here: http://www.aflcio.org/aboutunions/voiceatwork/action_week.cfm
> 
> Saturday, 16 October: We know it's a long way off, but we wanted to make sure that our readers knew about the Million Worker March now being organized.  Initiated by West Coast unions, you can learn more about the march here: http://www.millionworkermarch.org/
> 
> ***
> 
> CAMPAIGN UPDATES - THAILAND, CAMBODIA
> 
> Thailand: We're near the end of an international week of action in support of Thai workers' 3-month long struggle against the privatization of the electricity supply.  The latest news is here: http://www.thailabour.org/news/04052601.html  To show your support for the campaign, go here:
> 
> http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=27
> 
> Cambodia: The hotel workers dispute with Raffles continues. According to the latest press release from the IUF, company management "confirmed its arrogance and determination to operate above the law when Raffles representatives walked out of meetings held under the auspices of the Cambodian Arbitration Council on May 19."  Show your support for the workers by sending a strong message to management here:
> 
> http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=26
> 
> ***
> 
> AND FINALLY . . .
> 
> Thanks to all those of you who responded to our call to donate $25.00 to LabourStart.  Your generous contributions are making possible our continuing work -- and in particular the support we are able to give to campaigns on behalf of workers everywhere to secure the right to join and form trade unions.
> 
> If you have not yet done so, please give today.  You can donate securely online using your credit card here:
> 
> http://www.labourstart.org/donate.shtml
> 
> Have a great weekend.
> 
> Eric Lee
> 


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