Westminster Unison AGM
Westminster Unison held its AGM on the 29th of January at the University of London Union. This year's event included live comedy, poetry, speeches and music.
Justice for Colombia brought the leading Colombian trade unionist Alberto Vanegas to open the event. Alberto provided an overview of life for trade unionists in Colombia, and why he had come to the UK to explain to the Foreign Office the serious human rights implications of renewing the trade agreement with Colombia. The murder of trade unionists in Colombia is on the rise, with a 25% increase in 2008 compared to the previous year. The Colombian security forces are deeply implicated in the violence against trade unionists, and senior government officials regularly accuse trade unionists in Colombia of being 'terrorists'. Those responsible for the murders are almost never punished.
Due to these human rights concerns, the US and Canada have both already delayed their Free Trade Agreements with Colombia. Most recently the EFTA group of countries in Northern Europe blocked their proposed agreement with Colombia, with Norway calling for an investigation into the human rights situation before any agreement is signed.
Unison does not believe Colombia should be rewarded with an FTA whilst workers continue to be murdered simply for standing up for their basic rights. Europe should stand together with the rest of the international community in condemning this horrific situation and telling the regime in Bogota that trade benefits will only be offered if the human rights situation improves.
Trade unions around Europe have joined the campaign, with ETUC General Secretary John Monks calling the negotiations a 'serious error' and recently writing to all EU member states calling for their support to halt the agreement with Colombia. The Colombian trade union movement has asked the European labour movement to support them by stopping this FTA.
Next, Jean Lambert MEP (Green) talked about her interests in employment and social affairs, immigration, social inclusion, workers' rights and social security. She also paid tribute to Alberto and the Colombian trade union movement, and explained why she believes the Green party offers a genuine alternative for progressive voters disillusioned with the Labour party's complete abandonment of any even remotely social democratic policies. Among policy suggestions offered by Greens are:
- drastic and enforceable reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases,
- free public transportation
- taxation on polluting cars,
- progressive replacement of trucks by trains,
- Introduction of eco friendly means of air and sea transport
- shifting of war spending to the ecological reconstruction of homes and workplaces.
Linton Kwesi Johnson closed the evening with a dub poetry set, based on his 35 year career. His selection of poetry covered his usual themes of social injustice, racism, police harassment/brutality, the experiences of different generations of Afro-Caribbean and Black British people, class struggle, and global politics.
Affiliated NGOs were also present to talk to members about their work and how members can get more involved. Hands Off the People of Iran, the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Hope Not Hate all spoke to activists, signed people up to their mailing lists, and suggested ways that individuals and the branch as a whole can engage in more joint working, and the importance of international solidarity.
