MEMORANDUM

TO:            AFL-CIO State Federations, Area and Central Labor Councils

FROM:        Jerry Acosta, Director AFL-CIO Southwestern Region

                  Charlie Key, Secretary-Treasurer, Georgia State AFL-CIO

                  Bill McCarthy, President, Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council

RE:             The Horrific Trade Union Situation in the Republic of Colombia

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We recently had an experience that forever changed the way we look at the world we live in and the way we, as U.S. citizens, companies and unions, do business.  We spent nine days on a study tour sponsored by the AFL-CIO American Center for International Labor Solidarity in the Republic of Colombia, the most dangerous place in the world for labor leaders. 

We met with national, department (equivalent to state) and local labor leaders as well as rank and file workers.  In too many instances our brothers and sisters are engaged in a life and death struggle against companies that are respected household names in the United States.  Often the bitter fights are over the existence of unions; in other cases it is actually the very lives of trade unionists that are threatened.

We are specifically concerned with two labor leaders that have been imprisoned since August 5, 2004.  They are charged with “rebellion” -- an unspecific catchall charge.  They were participating in a union meeting in Aracua when they were attacked by the Colombian military. (Not the paramilitary.)  Three of their companions were killed in cold blood.

We’ve been told we have enough to worry about and work to do here at home and that we shouldn’t spread our resources too thin by becoming involved in struggles of union movements in other countries.  We understand that argument but cannot agree.  The only way working men and women can successfully fight multinational companies, trade and financial institutions is by educating our members and through international labor solidarity. 

We recently waged a huge battle to try to defeat CAFTA.  Had we followed U.S. corporations into Central America and helped the Colombian labor movement successfully organize workers there, CAFTA would not be a threat to us or our brothers and sisters in Central America. 

Colombia, with a ultra-conservative president that Colombian labor leaders call “Little Bush,” gives us a glimpse of what the future may hold for working Americans as a result of President Bush and his administration’s stridently anti-union policies.  Colombia now has laws similar to the proposed Team Act and the Patriot Act.  They are using “individual contracts,” labor brokers, so called independent contractors, collective pacts, threats, intimidation and manipulation of labor laws to either avoid or to get rid of existing unions. 

We have seen the future and it is frightening.

Click here to view the power point presentation based on our recent visit. (You will need Microsoft Power Point or compatible software.  If you don't have the appropriate software please contact Charlie Key for the information in other formats.)  At its conclusion there are requests for specific actions by U.S. labor leaders and rank and file activists.  We hope you will present it at your upcoming conferences, delegate and board meetings and conventions.  It is brief enough for presentation at local union meetings. (We also have an expanded version that is about 30 minutes.) We will also consider presenting the program at your meetings.)  For further information on the trade union movement in Colombia, how you can get involved and the AFL-CIO’s work abroad, please visit www.solidaritycenter.org

For a sample letter to the President of Colombia asking for a speedy and fair trial for imprisoned labor leaders click here.

For a sample petition to the President of Colombia asking for a speedy and fair trial for imprisoned labor leaders click here.

For a sample letter to the the US Congress asking that Plan Colombia include more money for humanitarian support  Click here.

For a sample letter to newspaper editors asking that Plan Colombia include more money for humanitarian support  Click here.

For more talking points click here

For a detailed proposal about US involvement in a better Colombia Click Here (you will need Adobe Reader)

   In Solidarity.

 Jerry Acosta, Director AFL-CIO Southwestern Region

 Charlie Key, Secretary-Treasurer, Georgia State AFL-CIO

 Bill McCarthy, President, Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council