Act Now for International Worker Solidarity : AZ IMC

***PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY!!!***

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO SUPPORT THE BUILDING UNITY AND TRUST AMONG WORKERS WORLDWIDE RESOLUTION

We are collecting signatures from all concerned parties, including organized, unorganized, and international workers.

This important resolution, already passed by the California Labor Federation (one out of six AFL-CIO members!), would end the AFL-CIO's Solidarity Center dependence on State Department funding--mainly through the National Endowment for Democracy and USAID--and, instead, require that the Solidarity Center by primarily union funded, with open books and accountability to AFL-CIO rank and file.

THIS MOVEMENT IS NOT AN ATTACK ON THE AFL-CIO AND ITS LEADERSHIP, AND IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY SIDE REGARDING INTERNAL AFL-CIO DISPUTES. However, whether we are union members or not, we do have a right and a duty to speak out about the Solidarity Center's current structure and activities, since it is funded mainly by US taxpayers.

TO SIGN THE PETITION, GO TO:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/mod_perl/petition-sign.cgi?lasc0705

or to,

http://www.lasolidarity.org/call.shtml

LATIN AMERICA SOLIDARITY COALITION CALL TO ACTION:

Educational Actions Called for AFL-CIO Convention
by progressive labor activists and the Latin America Solidarity Coalition

• Yes to International Solidarity – No to Bush Administration/NED Funding

• Pass the "Building Unity and Trust" Resolution at the AFL-CIO Convention

• International Labor Solidarity is a Must. Don't Taint it with Bush Money!

We urge the AFL-CIO Convention, meeting in Chicago, July 25-28, 2005 to adopt the "Building Unity and Trust Among Workers Worldwide" resolution.
This resolution would end dependence by the American Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS), more commonly known as the Solidarity Center, on US government/NED taxpayer funding.

An organization that receives the vast majority of its funding from the Federal government can not be an independent voice of labor solidarity -- it can only be an instrument of George W. Bush's interventionist foreign policy. In FY 2003, the Solidarity Center received over $31 million in direct and in-kind federal monies. Only $600,000 came from AFL-CIO coffers. This was a typical year.

The Solidarity Center gets the most of its operating funds from the mis-named National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a taxpayer-funded "private" organization. Besides the Solidarity Center, NED includes the International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the Chamber of Commerce's Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) – strange bedfellows for an organization supporting worker rights. NED was created in 1983 and one of its founders, Allen Weinstein, said in 1991, "A lot of what we do today was done covertly 25 years ago by the CIA." Much of what the NED does to influence other countries' elections today would be illegal if a foreign power did them to influence U.S. elections.

There is true international labor solidarity work to be done. In Haiti, for instance, the Solidarity Center has supported the organization of workers in certain sweatshops, and has advocated for labor reforms. But, at the same time, the IRI, trained the violent thugs who precipitated the coup against democratically elected President Aristide, and NED funded Haiti's Group of 184, which includes proprietors of some of the Western Hemisphere's worst sweatshop industries. The Solidarity Center should not keep such anti-worker company.

In Venezuela, the Solidarity Center's work undermined progressive unions and social movements. The primary recipient of Solidarity Center funding in Venezuela has been the Confederación de Trabajadores Venezolanos (CTV) whose leader, Carlos Ortega, was one of the 2002 leaders of the aborted coup against democratically elected President Hugo Chavez. Even Solidarity Center organizers admit that the CTV is profoundly corrupt. CTV leadership's collaboration with business groups to overthrow the democratic government was traitorous to both working people and the nation. The Solidarity Center cannot evade its responsibility for supporting anti-democratic, anti-worker forces in Venezuela.

The Solidarity Center is making a major move into Iraq, seeking millions of dollars in NED funding. Workers are justifiably concerned. Solidarity Center resources will be used in violation of the AFL-CIO's commitment to workers' self-determination. Projects will be designed to give exclusive support to the union officially sanctioned by occupation and interim governments, while undermining the development of independent unions.

ACILS was formed in 1997, following the closure of AFL-CIO foreign offices which had operated as covers for the CIA. Among their most notorious activities was support for the overthrow of Chile's elected President Salvador Allende, in 1973. This support was funneled through the old American Institute for Free Labor Development (AIFLD). International solidarity activists inside and outside of labor looked forward to a new day of labor solidarity. But, in all too many cases ACILS has continued the anti-democratic, anti-worker mission of AIFLD.

The solution to this quagmire of intrigue and anti-worker activities is offered by the "Building Unity and Trust Among Workers Worldwide" resolution passed by the California Labor Federation, which represents one out of six AFL-CIO members. The resolution, forwarded for consideration to the AFL-CIO convention in July, calls for a clearing of the air regarding AFL-CIO activities in Chile, Venezuela, and elsewhere.
It further calls for an end to Solidarity Center dependency on NED and other government funding in favor of mutual international worker solidarity programs funded primarily by union dues, and with open books, accountable to, and operated by, union members.

What You Can Do:

1. Endorse this call by clicking on this link and filling out the endorsement form.

2. If you are a union member, ask your local, central labor council, or international to pass the Building Unity and Trust” resolution before the convention.

3. Come to Chicago on July 24-25 for leafleting and rallies in support of the resolution.

4. Send this call and the resolution (posted on http://www.lasolidarity.org) to your union friends and ask them to endorse the call and have their organizations pass the resolution.

TEXT OF THE BUILDING UNITY AND TRUST AMONG WORKERS WORLDWIDE RESOLUTION:

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AT THE CALIFORNIA LABOR FEDERATION CONVENTION ON JULY 13, 2004 IN SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA.

BUILD UNITY AND TRUST AMONG WORKERS WORLDWIDE

Resolution No. 6 - Originally presented by the San Francisco Labor Council, San Francisco; the South Bay Central Labor Council, San Jose; the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, Castroville; and Plumbers and Fitters Local 393 (San Jose).

WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO and unions generally in the U.S. are deeply committed to the concept of solidarity with labor movements in other countries; and

WHEREAS, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has a dubious history, having been deployed frequently to promote U.S. government foreign policy objectives, including assisting in overthrowing democratically elected governments and interfering in the internal affairs of the labor movements of other countries; and

WHEREAS, the conventions of the International Labor Organization guarantee workers of every country the right to choose to be represented by the labor organization or union of their own choosing, free from government, corporate or foreign interference or constraints; and

WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO leadership, through the Federation's Solidarity Center, has announced its intentions to apply for $3 to $5 million in funding from the NED for its operations in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, AFL-CIO acceptance of NED funding for its solidarity work in Iraq may give the appearance , if not the effect, of making the AFL-CIO appear to be an agent of the U.S. government and its foreign policies, which may taint the good reputation of the Federation in the eyes of labor movements in other countries and draw into question the motivation and true independence of the Federation in its international affairs; and

WHEREAS, the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council and its affiliate, Plumbers and fitters Local 393 presented the 'Clear the Air Resolution' at the July 24, 2002 California Labor Federation Convention, and though many delegates had current concern about Venezuela, 'Clear the Air' outlined an AFL-CIO role leading to the 1973 coup in Chile and, among other things, called upon the AFL-CIO, 'to fully account for what was done in Chile and other countries where similar roles may have been played in our name, to renounce such policies and practices..., describe, country by country, exactly what activities it may still be engaged in abroad with funds paid by government agencies and renounce any such ties that could compromise our authentic credibility and the trust of workers here and abroad and that would make us paid agents of government or of the forces of corporate economic globalization'; and

WHEREAS, leaders of the State Federation presented a substitute resolution, 'Looking Ahead on AFL-CIO Policy Abroad', calling 'upon the AFL-CIO to convene a meeting with the State Federation and interested affiliates in California to discuss their present foreign affairs activities involving government funds. The aim of the meeting will be to clear the air concerning AFL-CIO policy abroad and to affirm a policy of genuine global solidarity'; and

WHEREAS, leaders of the State Federation, the SBLC, Local 393 and UFCW Local 428 negotiated an agreement to accept the compromise 'Looking Ahead' resolution, based explicitly on the understanding that the meeting with the AFL-CIO had the burden of satisfying the outlined concerns and if it failed to do so, then the original 'Clear the Air' resolution would require implementation. In calls for unity, that understanding was clearly stated on the floor of the convention without discord or disagreement; and

WHEREAS, significant disagreement exists about whether the meeting that took place on October 14, 2003 fully addressed the concerns raised within the original 'Clear the Air' resolution; and

WHEREAS, questions have been raised about how the information provided in this meeting relates to information contained in newly released government documents about the AFL-CIO's involvement in Venezuela and its acceptance on National Endowment for Democracy (NED) funds;

now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that this 25th Biennial Convention of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO affirm its support for the principles of autonomy, independence and self-determination embodied in the International Conventions of the International Labor Organization; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this 25th Biennial Convention of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO urge the national AFL-CIO and its Solidarity Center to exercise extreme caution in seeking or accepting funding from the U.S. government, its agencies and any other institutions which it funds such as the NED for its work in Iraq or elsewhere, and to accept these funds only to further the goals of honest international labor solidarity, not to pursue the policies of Corporate America and the United States government; and be it further

RESOLVED that the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO supports the basic demand of the 'Clear the Air' resolution to call upon the National AFL-CIO 'to fully account for what was done in Chile (and Venezuela) and other countries where similar roles may have been played in our name, and to describe, country by country, exactly what activities it may still be engaged in abroad with funds paid by government agencies and renounce any such ties that could compromise our authentic credibility and the trust of workers here and abroad and that would make us paid agents of government or of the forces of corporate economic globalization'; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO urge the National AFL-CIO to fund its international programs and activities, whenever possible, from funds generated directly from its affiliates and their members; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that the California Labor Federation send this resolution to the National AFL-CIO for immediate attention in order to move forward together in creating trust and unity among workers worldwide.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

jpj@mutualaid.org

***PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY!!!***

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO SUPPORT THE BUILDING UNITY AND TRUST AMONG WORKERS WORLDWIDE RESOLUTION

We are collecting signatures from all concerned parties, including organized, unorganized, and international workers.

This important resolution, already passed by the California Labor Federation (one out of six AFL-CIO members!), would end the AFL-CIO's Solidarity Center dependence on State Department funding--mainly through the National Endowment for Democracy and USAID--and, instead, require that the Solidarity Center by primarily union funded, with open books and accountability to AFL-CIO rank and file.

THIS MOVEMENT IS NOT AN ATTACK ON THE AFL-CIO AND ITS LEADERSHIP, AND IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY SIDE REGARDING INTERNAL AFL-CIO DISPUTES. However, whether we are union members or not, we do have a right and a duty to speak out about the Solidarity Center's current structure and activities, since it is funded mainly by US taxpayers.

TO SIGN THE PETITION, GO TO:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/mod_perl/petition-sign.cgi?lasc0705

or to,

http://www.lasolidarity.org/call.shtml

LATIN AMERICA SOLIDARITY COALITION CALL TO ACTION:

Educational Actions Called for AFL-CIO Convention
by progressive labor activists and the Latin America Solidarity Coalition

• Yes to International Solidarity – No to Bush Administration/NED Funding

• Pass the "Building Unity and Trust" Resolution at the AFL-CIO Convention

• International Labor Solidarity is a Must. Don't Taint it with Bush Money!

We urge the AFL-CIO Convention, meeting in Chicago, July 25-28, 2005 to adopt the "Building Unity and Trust Among Workers Worldwide" resolution.
This resolution would end dependence by the American Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS), more commonly known as the Solidarity Center, on US government/NED taxpayer funding.

An organization that receives the vast majority of its funding from the Federal government can not be an independent voice of labor solidarity -- it can only be an instrument of George W. Bush's interventionist foreign policy. In FY 2003, the Solidarity Center received over $31 million in direct and in-kind federal monies. Only $600,000 came from AFL-CIO coffers. This was a typical year.

The Solidarity Center gets the most of its operating funds from the mis-named National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a taxpayer-funded "private" organization. Besides the Solidarity Center, NED includes the International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the Chamber of Commerce's Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) – strange bedfellows for an organization supporting worker rights. NED was created in 1983 and one of its founders, Allen Weinstein, said in 1991, "A lot of what we do today was done covertly 25 years ago by the CIA." Much of what the NED does to influence other countries' elections today would be illegal if a foreign power did them to influence U.S. elections.

There is true international labor solidarity work to be done. In Haiti, for instance, the Solidarity Center has supported the organization of workers in certain sweatshops, and has advocated for labor reforms. But, at the same time, the IRI, trained the violent thugs who precipitated the coup against democratically elected President Aristide, and NED funded Haiti's Group of 184, which includes proprietors of some of the Western Hemisphere's worst sweatshop industries. The Solidarity Center should not keep such anti-worker company.

In Venezuela, the Solidarity Center's work undermined progressive unions and social movements. The primary recipient of Solidarity Center funding in Venezuela has been the Confederación de Trabajadores Venezolanos (CTV) whose leader, Carlos Ortega, was one of the 2002 leaders of the aborted coup against democratically elected President Hugo Chavez. Even Solidarity Center organizers admit that the CTV is profoundly corrupt. CTV leadership's collaboration with business groups to overthrow the democratic government was traitorous to both working people and the nation. The Solidarity Center cannot evade its responsibility for supporting anti-democratic, anti-worker forces in Venezuela.

The Solidarity Center is making a major move into Iraq, seeking millions of dollars in NED funding. Workers are justifiably concerned. Solidarity Center resources will be used in violation of the AFL-CIO's commitment to workers' self-determination. Projects will be designed to give exclusive support to the union officially sanctioned by occupation and interim governments, while undermining the development of independent unions.

ACILS was formed in 1997, following the closure of AFL-CIO foreign offices which had operated as covers for the CIA. Among their most notorious activities was support for the overthrow of Chile's elected President Salvador Allende, in 1973. This support was funneled through the old American Institute for Free Labor Development (AIFLD). International solidarity activists inside and outside of labor looked forward to a new day of labor solidarity. But, in all too many cases ACILS has continued the anti-democratic, anti-worker mission of AIFLD.

The solution to this quagmire of intrigue and anti-worker activities is offered by the "Building Unity and Trust Among Workers Worldwide" resolution passed by the California Labor Federation, which represents one out of six AFL-CIO members. The resolution, forwarded for consideration to the AFL-CIO convention in July, calls for a clearing of the air regarding AFL-CIO activities in Chile, Venezuela, and elsewhere.
It further calls for an end to Solidarity Center dependency on NED and other government funding in favor of mutual international worker solidarity programs funded primarily by union dues, and with open books, accountable to, and operated by, union members.

What You Can Do:

1. Endorse this call by clicking on this link and filling out the endorsement form.

2. If you are a union member, ask your local, central labor council, or international to pass the Building Unity and Trust” resolution before the convention.

3. Come to Chicago on July 24-25 for leafleting and rallies in support of the resolution.

4. Send this call and the resolution (posted on http://www.lasolidarity.org) to your union friends and ask them to endorse the call and have their organizations pass the resolution.

TEXT OF THE BUILDING UNITY AND TRUST AMONG WORKERS WORLDWIDE RESOLUTION:

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AT THE CALIFORNIA LABOR FEDERATION CONVENTION ON JULY 13, 2004 IN SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA.

BUILD UNITY AND TRUST AMONG WORKERS WORLDWIDE

Resolution No. 6 - Originally presented by the San Francisco Labor Council, San Francisco; the South Bay Central Labor Council, San Jose; the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, Castroville; and Plumbers and Fitters Local 393 (San Jose).

WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO and unions generally in the U.S. are deeply committed to the concept of solidarity with labor movements in other countries; and

WHEREAS, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has a dubious history, having been deployed frequently to promote U.S. government foreign policy objectives, including assisting in overthrowing democratically elected governments and interfering in the internal affairs of the labor movements of other countries; and

WHEREAS, the conventions of the International Labor Organization guarantee workers of every country the right to choose to be represented by the labor organization or union of their own choosing, free from government, corporate or foreign interference or constraints; and

WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO leadership, through the Federation's Solidarity Center, has announced its intentions to apply for $3 to $5 million in funding from the NED for its operations in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, AFL-CIO acceptance of NED funding for its solidarity work in Iraq may give the appearance , if not the effect, of making the AFL-CIO appear to be an agent of the U.S. government and its foreign policies, which may taint the good reputation of the Federation in the eyes of labor movements in other countries and draw into question the motivation and true independence of the Federation in its international affairs; and

WHEREAS, the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council and its affiliate, Plumbers and fitters Local 393 presented the 'Clear the Air Resolution' at the July 24, 2002 California Labor Federation Convention, and though many delegates had current concern about Venezuela, 'Clear the Air' outlined an AFL-CIO role leading to the 1973 coup in Chile and, among other things, called upon the AFL-CIO, 'to fully account for what was done in Chile and other countries where similar roles may have been played in our name, to renounce such policies and practices..., describe, country by country, exactly what activities it may still be engaged in abroad with funds paid by government agencies and renounce any such ties that could compromise our authentic credibility and the trust of workers here and abroad and that would make us paid agents of government or of the forces of corporate economic globalization'; and

WHEREAS, leaders of the State Federation presented a substitute resolution, 'Looking Ahead on AFL-CIO Policy Abroad', calling 'upon the AFL-CIO to convene a meeting with the State Federation and interested affiliates in California to discuss their present foreign affairs activities involving government funds. The aim of the meeting will be to clear the air concerning AFL-CIO policy abroad and to affirm a policy of genuine global solidarity'; and

WHEREAS, leaders of the State Federation, the SBLC, Local 393 and UFCW Local 428 negotiated an agreement to accept the compromise 'Looking Ahead' resolution, based explicitly on the understanding that the meeting with the AFL-CIO had the burden of satisfying the outlined concerns and if it failed to do so, then the original 'Clear the Air' resolution would require implementation. In calls for unity, that understanding was clearly stated on the floor of the convention without discord or disagreement; and

WHEREAS, significant disagreement exists about whether the meeting that took place on October 14, 2003 fully addressed the concerns raised within the original 'Clear the Air' resolution; and

WHEREAS, questions have been raised about how the information provided in this meeting relates to information contained in newly released government documents about the AFL-CIO's involvement in Venezuela and its acceptance on National Endowment for Democracy (NED) funds;

now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that this 25th Biennial Convention of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO affirm its support for the principles of autonomy, independence and self-determination embodied in the International Conventions of the International Labor Organization; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this 25th Biennial Convention of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO urge the national AFL-CIO and its Solidarity Center to exercise extreme caution in seeking or accepting funding from the U.S. government, its agencies and any other institutions which it funds such as the NED for its work in Iraq or elsewhere, and to accept these funds only to further the goals of honest international labor solidarity, not to pursue the policies of Corporate America and the United States government; and be it further

RESOLVED that the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO supports the basic demand of the 'Clear the Air' resolution to call upon the National AFL-CIO 'to fully account for what was done in Chile (and Venezuela) and other countries where similar roles may have been played in our name, and to describe, country by country, exactly what activities it may still be engaged in abroad with funds paid by government agencies and renounce any such ties that could compromise our authentic credibility and the trust of workers here and abroad and that would make us paid agents of government or of the forces of corporate economic globalization'; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO urge the National AFL-CIO to fund its international programs and activities, whenever possible, from funds generated directly from its affiliates and their members; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that the California Labor Federation send this resolution to the National AFL-CIO for immediate attention in order to move forward together in creating trust and unity among workers worldwide.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

jpj@mutualaid.org