Posted on: October 2, 2009  @ 11:00

Solidarity in Action through a UNI Global Action Plan

International solidarity is part of our union focus. CUPW firmly believes that the working class struggle goes beyond borders and that it also has to be waged in the framework of a global action plan. This is why we get actively involved in the meetings sponsored by UNI, the Union Network International.

Right now, Sister Lynn Bue, Brother George Floresco and I are in Mexico City to help develop UNI Americas’ (Postal and Logistics Sector) action plan for the coming months. Some 15 countries are involved and taking part in vigorous discussions. We’re not only debating the impact of the current economic crisis on postal services, but also steps to protect our universal public postal services. I’ve already made a presentation on the struggle the union is pursuing in response to Canada Post’s Strategic Review as well as on the CUPW Action Days we’ve scheduled from October 7th to the 16th. Yesterday, we held a demonstration in support of the fight that Mexican postal workers are waging to protect their jobs. Everywhere in the Americas, actions are underway to defend public postal services.

We’ve adopted a multifaceted Action Plan that aims, among others, at strengthening UNI’s role as an information hub for its affiliate unions, getting more women and young people involved in union activity and supporting struggles against privatization and deregulation of postal services across the Americas and throughout the world. At the end of the meeting, Sister Lynn Bue, CUPW’s 2nd National Vice-President, was confirmed as Chair of UNI Americas’ postal and logistics component. Discussions are continuing.

Solidarity is something we need to build on a day-to-day basis through concrete action. That’s exactly what we’re doing.

The struggle continues.

 

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