[van-announce] Meet Colombian Trade Union Leader - April 28

[resist admin]

-----Forwarded Message-----
From: latinsol <latinsol at shaw.ca>
To: apc-discuss at lists.resist.ca
Subject: [APC-Discuss] Meet Colombian Trade Union Leader - April 28
Date: 22 Apr 2003 21:38:14 -0700


  COLOMBIAN TRADE UNIONIST TO SPEAK ABOUT RESISTANCE TO PRIVATISATION OF
  PUBLIC SERVICES IN COLOMBIA

  The Vancouver & District Labour Council is organizing a

  TRADE UNION LUNCH

  Monday, April 28 - 12:00 noon

  to meet a representative of SINTRAEMCALI, the union of the municipal
  corporation (EMCALI) that supplies public services water,
  telecommunications and energy - to the residents of Cali, Colombia's
  second largest city.  This union has been leading a fight against the
  privitization of public services in Colombia - the most dangerous
  country in the world in which to be a trade unionist.

  Come and hear BERENICE CELEYTA, the director of the Human Rights
  Department of SINTRAEMCALI, talk about the struggle against
  privitization in Colombia and the political situation in that country.
  Knowledge builds Solidarity!

  BOARDROOM #2

  Maritime Labour Centre

  Cost: $10.00 per person (for the lunch)

  Call Angela at the VDLC 254-0703 to reserve a place at this lunch.

  * * *

  BERENICE CELEYTA is the director of the Human Rights Department of
  SINTRAEMCALI. SINTRAEMCALI is the union of the municipal corporation
  (EMCALI) that supplies public services water, telecommunications and
  energy - to the residents of Cali, Colombia's second largest city.

  SINTRAEMCALI has been fighting against the privatisation of EMCALI for
  several years now, a fight which has included two building occupations,
  co-management of the corporation, and intense negotiations with all
  levels of government. Although they won a significant victory last year
  when they forced the government to sign an agreement to not privatise
  the EMCALI, the new President, Alvaro Uribe recently announced the
  liquidation of the company. The union is currently preparing for another
  round of negotiations with President Uribe to continue their fight to
  save the public utility.

  The union credits the solidarity they received from the community in
  Cali and from the international labour community in helping with their
  successes to date.

  Because of their outspoken resistance and courageous actions, the union
  has suffered constant attacks. Several members have been assassinated,
  many more have had to flee. Members and leaders receive death threats
  almost daily and SINTRAEMCALI leaders are constantly accompanied by body
  guards.

  In addition to her work with SINTRAEMCALI, Sister Celeyta is also the
  President of the labour research organisation, NOMADESC. Sister Celeyta
  has also worked with the mine workers union as well as assisted
  campesino groups in land negotiations and worked at the community level
  in human rights and development. In BC, she will speak to delegates at
  CUPE BC s Convention in Prince George and other unionists in Vancouver
  about resistance to privatisation and mutual solidarity in the struggle.

  CoDevelopment Canada is organising Sister Celeyta s time in BC. Contact
  Barbara Wood (bwood at codev.org) for information.

  * * *