California Teachers: Oppose AFL-CIO Acceptance of Bush Government Funds

[Solidarity]

The following resolution was adopted Saturday, March 20 by delegates to the annual convention of the California Federation of Teachers without dissent:

Oppose AFL-CIO Acceptance of National Endowment for Democracy Funds

Whereas the AFL-CIO and unions generally in the U.S. are deeply committed to the concept of solidarity with labor movements in other countries, and

Whereas the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has served as a front for U.S. government foreign policy objectives, including acting in the past as a front for U.S. government intelligence operations and subversive interference in the internal affairs of the labor movements of other countries, and

Whereas the AFL-CIO leadership, through the Federation's Solidarity Center, has announced its intentions to apply for $3 to 5 millions in funding from the NED for its operations in Iraq, and

Whereas the conventions of the International Labor Organization guarantee workers of every country the right to choose to be represented by the labor organization or union of their own choosing, free from government, corporate or foreign interfererence or constraints, and

Whereas AFL-CIO acceptance of NED funding for its solidarity work in Iraq would have the appearance, if not the effect, of interfering in the internal affairs of the Iraqi labor movement in furtherance of U.S. government foreign policy objectives,

Therefore be it resolved that the California Federation of Teachers affirm its support for the principles of autonomy, independence and self-determination embodied in the International Conventions of the International Labor Organization, and

Be it further resolved that the CFT oppose the AFL-CIO and its Solidarity Center seeking or accepting funding from the U.S. government, its agencies and any other institutions which it funds such as the NED for its work in Iraq or elsewhere, and

Be it further resolved, that CFT urge the AFL-CIO to fund its international programs and activities from funds generated directly by its affiliates and their members, and

Be it finally resolved, that CFT communicate this resolution and its sentiments to the California Federation of Labor, the American Federation of Teachers, the AFL-CIO leadership and all CFT affiliates and in such other ways as furthers the purpose and intent of this resolution.

[IrateCitizen]

1. Good for them! This is the true spirit of union solidarity!

I have always been puzzled by the support of cold-warriorism and many subsequent misadventures abroad by the major unions of this country. At least the CA delegation to the AFT is coming to the realization of the basic truth, "An injury to one is an injury to all."

Hopefully the AFL-CIO will change course and break from the NED.