Building Solidarity from South Africa to Palestine

A cross-Canada speaking tour with trade union representatives from South Africa 



Regina Solidarity Group
May 11, 2011
More info HERE.

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In Regina:
May 27th @ 7:30 P.M.
Regina Union Centre
2709 12th Ave
* free admission
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Why are trade unionists globally comparing the situation in Palestine with that of South African apartheid? Why has there been a call by Palestinian trade unions for a campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) modeled on the solidarity movement against South African apartheid? What is the role of trade union activists in building international solidarity with workers in Palestine?

Please join us for a trade union speaking tour with representatives from the Palestinian Federation of Unions of University Professors and Employees (PFUUPE) and South African Union of Municipal Workers (SAMWU), who will be addressing these important questions.

Sponsors & endorsers of the cross-Canada tour include:

Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW-STTP)
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) – Ontario
CUPE Ontario International Solidarity Committee
CUPE Toronto District Council
CUPE Local 2491
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 568
Fédération nationale des enseignants et enseignantes du Québec (FNEEQ)
London & District Labour Council
Metropolitan Montréal Central Council
Faculty for Palestine
Independent Jewish Voices
London Solidarity Coalition for Palestine
Not in Our Name: Jewish Voices Opposing Zionism
Tadamon! Montreal

For more information contact: info@reginasolidaritygroup.com or call 306-569-9787

BACKGROUND

There is a great urgency in building our solidarity with Palestinian workers. It is important to note that Palestinian trade unions continue to operate in and confront a daily reality of military occupation, apartheid walls and neoliberal austerity. In Gaza, 98% of industrial operations remain idle as a result of Israel’s three-year blockade, which includes severe restrictions on electricity, heating oil, natural gas and construction materials. In the occupied West Bank, 25% of the population continues to face food insecurity as well as a complex network of 400-500 military checkpoints, roadblocks, fences, and other obstacles that separate Palestinian workers from their workplaces.

The General Union of Palestinian Workers (GUPW), Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), and the Palestinian Federation of Independent Trade Unions (PFITU) have been at the forefront of the Palestinian movement challenging these multiple violations of Palestinian workers’ rights. This tour is an important step in consolidating worker-to-worker solidarity between Palestinian and Canadian and Québécois trade unionists.