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AFL-CIO Asks International Labor Leaders for Advice

Gene Lantz, President
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AFL-CIO Asks Other Nations for Advice

On June 3, the National AFL-CIO took what might be a historical step in the right direction. They convened a webinar with American labor leaders and four leaders from other nations. The topic was fighting authoritarianism. Although they had different points to add, the one thing that they all said was that the solution to labor’s problem in any country has to be a solution for all. There are no individual solutions. Internationalism is indispensable.

Stuart Applebaum

We were welcomed by Stuart Applebaum, head of the AFL-CIO’s International Committee. He said, ““Unions have stood for democracy, not only in our workplaces, but in our countries…. without relying on government funding.” Applebaum quickly turned the meeting over to Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers. It soon became apparent that Weingarten was chiefly responsible for the event.

Randi Weingarten of AFT

Weingarten gave a run down of all the reasons to oppose the Trump agenda. She emphasized that unions are Trump’s main obstacle. In fact, she predicted an 80% likelihood of success against authoritarianism if unions participate fully. She urged every union to throw themselves into organizing turnout for the June 14 “No Kings Day” demonstrations.

Interestingly, Weingarten added a note about artificial intelligence. She said that Hitler and Mussolini effectively used the technology of their time to institute fascism, and that Trump expects to use artificial intelligence today.

Brazilian labor leader

The first international speaker was Maicon Michel Vasconcelos da Silva    from Brazil. Just to emphasize the need for international solidarity, he was wearing a Steelworkers’ jacket from the United States. In describing their success against a right-wing dictator, he said, “What we have is a massive mobilizing in the shop floor… not only on the shop floor but the countryside as well.” In other words, they went outside the unions to mobilize the entire progressive movement.

South Korean labor leader

The most succinct message, and probably the most dramatic, came from Mikyung Ryu of South Korea. She said that she was at an International Labor Conference in Geneva and she wished the Americans were there. When their president called for martial law in order to establish a military dictatorship, the South Korean unions called an immediate general strike. Not everyone was able to participate, she said, but enough of them participated to resolve the crisis.

Matthew Parks is a union leader from South Africa. When corruption overcame the ruling party, the unions had difficulty getting the nation back on track. When he learned, and what he shared with the Americans, is that labor must maintain its independence and not be too eager to trust politicians.

Piotr from Poland, like all the others, emphasized international solidarity first. He said that a particular problem there is that they have “two kinds of members.” The majority are progressive, but a substantial number of Polish unionists are reactionaries. Bringing the union together as a progressive force is a challenge.

American AfL-CIO President Liz Shuler had the last word. She thanked our international friends and emphasized that organized labor is the best weapon against authoritarianism. She pointed out, “We have the agenda, we have the message, we have the infrastructure to fight back in a way that no other movement can.” In closing, Shuler said, “There is nothing scarier to an authoritarian than a strong and united labor movement.”

Are You Up to Date Internationally?

Last week, Poland elected a reactionary president and South Korea elected a progressive. Food aid was cut off for the starving in Gaza. Americans receive very little international news, and a lot of it is less than honest. There will be a discussion of international developments at Pan African Connection, 4460 Marsalis, at 5 PM Saturday, June 7.

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MORE ACTIONS COMING UP

Jun 6 & 7 and every day until the election: Phone banking with Dallas AFL-CIO Contact etilley2006@yahoo.com

Jun 6: Veterans march in Washington DC against Musk/Trump program

Jun 7: Runoff elections

Jun 7, 5P: “The International Situation” free discussion at Pan African Connection, 4466 Marsalis in Dallas

Jun 10, 5P:  AFT holding a special on-line meeting to prepare for June 14 demonstrations. 

Jun 11, 9A: Court hearing for Tarrant County labor leader Angi DeFelippo

Jun 12, 11A: Texas retiree on-line update and discussion. register here

Jun 14, Noon: “No Kings Day” with 50501 has demonstrations all over North Texas. It is also Trump’s 79th birthday and a giant, expensive, military parade

Jun 14, 6P: KNON benefit at Poor David’s Pub, 1313 Botham Jean Blvd in Dallas

Jun 15: Dallas Pride march at Fair Park

Jun 19: Celebrate civil rights in Texas

Jun 19, 7:30P: Dallas Central Labor Council meeting for all affiliated union members

Jun 20, 11:15A Texas American Federation of Teachers "Hands Off Our Future" rally. register at https://www.mobilize.us/texasaft/event/791878/  

Jun 26-28: Texas AFL-CIO convention in San Antonio 

Jul 25-27: YALL state convention in North Texas