Issue No 20 | 02 July 1999 | |
InternationalCourage Against the OddsBy Phil Davey
- CFMEU industrial officer A Cuban trade union leader urges for a 30 year blockade to be lifted, with a fundraiser to be held this Thursday.
Gilda Chacon Bravo, a senior official with the Cuban Trade Union Council, spoke at a packed public meeting in Sydney last week about the current situation in Cuba. When the Eastern Bloc collapsed Cuba lost 80% of its trade overnight and 90% of its oil imports. Because of the continuing illegal and immoral U.S. blockade there are ongoing problems accessing spare parts and high tech medical equipment. In spite of this the Cuban Trade Union movement has continued with a very grassroots model of organising which involves continuous consultation with its membership and virtual power of veto over proposed Government legislation. Gilda Chacon Bravo gave details about the Cuban union movement, which consists of 19 industry based unions who together boast a membership rate of 98% amongst the 3.5 million workers in Cuba. She quoted a series of amazing statistics about women's involvement in the union movement in Cuba, including the fact that 54% of union leaders are women and that 64.5% of professionals in Cuba are women. Tackling unemployment arising out of the economic crisis of the early 1990's remains the top priority of the Cuban Union Movement. Unemployment recently dropped to 6%, down 35% on last year. Gilda Chacon Bravo spoke passionately of the determination of Cuban workers and unions to defend the gains of the revolution - free and universal health care and education as well as comprehensive social security- in the face of a continuing and relentless 40 year campaign against this small nation by the most powerful country in the world. A fundraising benefit gig "for the children of the Revolution" will be held at the Harbourside Brasserie this week. Proceeds from the night will go to the APHEDA/Cuban Children's Fund, a humanitarian organisation which buys medicine and medical equipment for Cuban Hospitals. For 40 years Cuba has provided an example to the rest of Latin America of how to do things differently. The gains for the Cuban people have been tremendous, in education, health and housing. The illegal economic blockade of Cuba by the US however has meant that the Cuban Government has had tremendous difficulty in accessing new medical technology. The July 8 concert starts at 7:30PM and features a superb line up of performers, including Afro- Caribbean salsa supremos "Babalu" and West African master drummer Epizo Bangoura and band. Tickets are $12/$8 and are available at the door or by calling Kelly on 9262 4330.
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Interview: They�re Not All Bastards The Australian Industry Group�s Roger Boland is one employer representative who believes trade unions will continue to play an important role in the economy - and society - of the future. Unions: Always the Pay is No Good Fair Wear's campaign for clothing industry homeworkers is changing the way we think about consuming. History: A Refreshing Advance Women workers organising in the NSW Rail and Tramways Department Refreshment Rooms in the 1920s. International: MAI Back on the Agenda After being ditched in the wake of an international cyber-protest, the World Trade Organisation is trying to salvage the MAI from the ashes. International: Courage Against the Odds A Cuban trade union leader urges for a 30 year blockade to be lifted, with a fundraiser to be held this Thursday. Review: Without You I'm Nothing British pop music doesnt come any better than Placebo.
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