TUESDAY AFTERNOON SESSION, SEPTEMBER 18, 2007
Following the afternoon workshops, the convention re-convened in full session at 4:00. The resolution on “International Solidarity” was read by resolution committee member Sandy Coulter, Local 767. President Hovis then called on UE International Affairs Director Robin Alexander to report to the delegates on UE’s international work.
Robin praised UE for the courage it has shown it its international solidarity work. “We had the courage to establish a relationship with the FAT at the time when NAFTA was being debated; the courage to say it is not the working people of Mexico who are stealing our jobs, it is the corporations that are driving down wages and working conditions around the world and that working people must stand together and fight back.”
She offered several examples of UE’s participation in international events and solidarity with workers in other countries, as well as the ways unions in other countries have helped us. “One of our most significant victories,” said Alexander, “was the ILO ruling that the state of North Carolina was acting illegally – in violation of international law – by prohibiting public sector workers in that state from engaging in collective bargaining. The ILO ruling added tremendous credibility and momentum to our campaign on the ground.” Robin also pointed out that our international solidarity work gives us a greater understanding of the causes of immigration and the solutions. “We know... that few people would willingly leave their families and country if they had a choice. Immigration is the result of policies that have forced people off their land and destroyed national industry in their home countries. The solution is both labor rights and decent jobs here and abroad.”
Sister Alexander then introduced Benedicto Martinez, national leader of the FAT, the progressive independent labor federation of Mexico. Brother Martinez talked about the beginnings of the UE-FAT alliance 15 years ago. “We never thought 15 years ago that we’d find workers in the U.S. who didn’t have bargaining rights,” nor did the FAT suspect back then how it would be able to help those U.S. workers. “Governments place many obstacles in the path of workers who are trying to organize.” He then described some of the obstacles facing workers today in Mexico, which is under a government that came to power last year in a fraudulent election, and which is aiming to pass the anti-union legislation that the previous president also attempted, but failed to pass.
Marie Lausch, Local 222, spoke on the resolution and on her local’s “buck a brick” campaign to assist the FAT municipal local in Guererro to build a new union hall. She presented Benedicto a check for $1,200 raised by her local in this campaign. Bryan Martindale, Local 1421; Carmyn Stanko, Local 267; and Larsene Taylor, Local 150, also spoke in favor of the resolution and described how international solidarity had benefitted their locals.
The convention unanimously adopted the resolution and recessed until Wednesday morning.