By Mark Friedman, Member International Association of Machinists Local 1484, activist, LA Hands-off Cuba Committee
The letter calling for a national Zoom call and discussion said:
“We write you with a sense of urgency to help the people of Cuba and to further discuss how we can help the Cuban people and their trade unions.
The majority of Americans-like the rest of the world-want an end to this hideous treatment of the Cuban people. We just saw the United Nations, once again, vote 187 to 2 to end the US blockade of Cuba. (US & Israel voting no)
We must escalate our work with unions to pass resolutions to remove Cuba from the SSOT list. Removing Cuba from the SSOT list only requires the signature of the US President on an executive order. Incoming President Trump’s appointment of Florida senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State means Washington will escalate its attacks on Cuba.
We have recently scored some big victories with the California Federation of Labor, AFL CIO, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Inland Boatmen’s Union (ILWU marine division), California Conference of Machinists (IAM), Washington State Labor Council (AFL-CIO) and most recently the international United Autoworkers Union (UAW) all adopting antiSSOT resolutions. (These labor resolutions encompass more than 3 million workers- MF). We must use these resolutions and others to expand our work.”
The letter announcing the Zoom call was signed by leaders and activists from the ILWU, Teamsters/ Amazon Labor Union, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, American Federation of Teachers, IAM, UNITE-HERE (garment and restaurant workers union, Sacramento Central Labor Council, Building Relations with Cuban Labor (BRWCL) and others with union and Cuba activists from New York, Chicago, Sacramento, and Los Angeles doing outreach.
Chris Bender, leader of the Building Relations with Cuban Labor and a meeting organizer told me “We want President Biden to hear from as many union members and leaders as we can reach in the next sixty days. We have two months to encourage Biden to keep his promises and reverse the Trump-era anti-Cuban actions. We must do this to support the Cuban people and build solidarity.”
Danny Valdes, Cuban-American activist and unionist told this reporter, “I’ve organized this campaign because the U.S. blockade on Cuba is a direct attack on human dignity and solidarity. We’re calling on union members to stand with us because we know that labor has the power to challenge injustice. This campaign is a crucial step toward not only lifting the blockade but also strengthening our collective solidarity, which will carry us into a broader movement. As we build momentum, we’re laying the foundation for even greater action in the months ahead. Our goal is clear: to unite workers across borders and create lasting change.”
Twenty-five union leaders and activists participated in the national Zoom call that launched several major campaigns.
- Get immediate signers on the letter to Biden that already includes the UAW and many politicians, initiated by Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) demanding Cuba be removed from the SSOT.
- Pass union resolutions at new locals in January with Cuba activist speakers at the meetings.
- Besides general educational work we will initiate medical and humanitarian aid campaigns with Global Health Partners (GHP), emulating the recent ILWU donation of $10,000 to the GHP Pacemakers for Cuba effort.
- Organize expanded labor delegations to Cuba for May Day activities with BRWCL and the LA Hands-off Cuba committee “Labor and Youth Activist delegation” sponsored by the Cuban CTC (Central de Trabajadores Cubanos)
The meeting also recognized the important letters to Biden just sent by several Congresspersons organized by Barbara Lee and Jim McGovern that also called on him to remove Cuba from SSOT.
El LLAMADO A LA ACCIÓN DE ZOOM DEL TRABAJO Nacional. Llamando a todos los sindicalistas.