Cuba unionist in Belfast
"Workers have discussed in detail how to resolve the
daily problems of the people in Cuba with just 30 percent
of the resources compared to 10 years ago," said Danilo
Sánchez Vázquez. "Their aim has been to do this without
closing schools, hospitals, or affecting pensions."
Sánchez, head of the International Department of the Central Organization of Cuban Workers, said this when speaking to an audience of mainly trade unionists at the headquarters of the Transport and General Workers Union in Belfast.
Sánchez explained how important it is for people from Ireland to visit Cuba and invited everyone in the audience. He asked trade union leaders to raise with the members of the Dail, Ireland's parliament, opening trade and diplomatic links with Cuba and reconsidering their position of abstention on the U.S. embargo at the UN.
In answer to a question on the role of the trade unions in Cuba, especially in the areas of joint capitalist ventures, he explained, "The law defends workers, it says the investor must recognize trade unions, wages and conditions. Sometimes the investor refuses to allow the trade union in the enterprise although the law is very clear. The trade unions are central in negotiating union recognition and ensuring the law is obeyed."
He went on to explain that the trade union leadership takes part with more than three million workers in workers' parliament discussions on the day-to-day problems. In the factories workers discuss how to manage the factory and how to solve job loss; in the countryside workers discuss food grown for the cities given the lack of fuel.
The leadership is responsible for expressing these decisions and views at government level and meets directly with the directorate of the revolutionary government and Cuban president Fidel Castro. "The government responds to these views as it did over the workers' opposition to paying social security payments and postponed implementation of that tax," Sánchez said.
Joe Bowers of the MSP (Managerial and Scientific Staff Association) and former chair of the ICTU (Irish Confederation of Trade Unions) said, "the courageous struggle of this nation [Cuba] should inspire any people fighting for freedom....These people are entitled to our support."
He pointed out that trade unionists in the six counties were in the position of being able to put pressure on both the British and Irish governments to oppose the U.S. embargo against Cuba and encourage investment.
He called on those at the meeting to raise their voices for Cuba when Clinton visits Ireland.
Douglas Hamilton, who chaired the meeting for the Cuba Support Group Ireland, announced the Cuba Solidarity Group would call a picket outside the U.S. consulate during Clinton's tour of Belfast. This trip is scheduled for November. After discussion from the floor, all were in support of the proposal.
After the meeting activists in support of defending the Cuban revolution and of the fight for Irish national self- determination discussed the implications of the picket for the national struggle.
Activists explained that Sinn Fein defended the Cuban revolution and opposed the U.S. blockade. Douglas said, "I think the two struggles are part of the same struggle and do not conflict." Another activist said, "Not everyone agrees with us but I think defense of the Cuban revolution is central for winning self-determination today."
"We will invite all trade unions to support the picket." said Hamilton.
Ann Fiander
Belfast, Ireland
Alternative library
My short trial subscription to the Militant has expired.
Recently, a couple of guys set up a table on campus and
displayed copies of the Militant and other books put out by
Pathfinder Press. I am impressed especially with your stand
on Cuba. I have written articles and letters, and spoken
out in class in support of the Cuban people and socialist
revolution. I had an idea that I presented to one of the
guys at the table and he suggested that I write it to New
York:
As I am sure you are aware, most mainstream libraries have made the ideas espoused by leftist causes inaccessible for the masses. While spouting First Amendment pieties, the bourgeoisie, especially in its radical (property-)rightist expressions, hypocritically blocks alternatives to the dominant capitalist beliefs. I have taken the initiative, therefore, of initiating a group entitled the Left Alternative Media Project, or LAMP.
LAMP's first priority is to make available to students and our community those leftist publications not carried by the University of Oregon Knight Library. We should begin with newspapers, such as the Militant, and then move into other efforts still to be planned.
I would consider the media in general, but at this moment I recognize such a grand endeavor as beyond my own single and meager capabilities. The project is picking up enthusiasts as the Fall Quarter progresses. I have put together a set of magazine racks in the office of our leftish student newspaper The Student Insurgent. I have been putting my copies of the Militant in the rack. Folks are reading the material.
Activists should recognize that LAMP has the potential to introduce leftist, and Marxist, concepts, and ultimately praxis, to young workers of the future and our society at large. As such, I would entertain no restrictions on any similar projects appropriating the LAMP name and operating in a similar fashion. I would ask only that other operations who utilize the name remain open to the entire left (for practical purposes) and use the name with the attachment of their location to distinguish their work from LAMP, Eugene.
Chris Brady Eugene, Oregon
Was Simpson jury right?
The Militant should not have commented that O.J.
Simpson's trial jury did right by acquitting him. The LAPD
and DA in reality blew the opportunity to convict him.
Where was Orenthal Simpson between 10:10 and 10:50 June 12,
1994?
Derrick Hall
East Los Angeles, California
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