Australian Council of Trade Unions passes motion in support of Venezuela

After the CFMEU trade union, now the Australian Council of Trade Unions also passed a resolution in solidarity with Venezuela. The resolution is broadly based on the ones passed earlier this year by a number of British trade unions and finally passed unanimously at the British Trades Union Congress (see Motion 79). We hope this resolution will spread even further throughout the Australian union movement. After the CFMEU trade union, now the Australian Council of Trade Unions also passed a resolution in solidarity with Venezuela. The resolution is broadly based on the ones passed earlier this year by a number of British trade unions and finally passed unanimously at the British Trades Union Congress (see Motion 79). We hope this resolution will spread even further throughout the Australian union movement.

VENEZUELA


The ACTU Executive congratulates and supports the Venezuelan government for
it’s utilisation of the country’s wealth and resources for reforms to
benefit
working people, the poor and the landless.

We note the results of the referendum last August in Venezuela that gave
President Hugo Chavez an overwhelming victory and a strengthened democratic
mandate.

The ACTU further notes that these results confirm that there is
overwhelming
support amongst working people and the poor for the social program of the
Chavez government in relation to education, literacy, job training, health
care, land reform and subsidised food.

However, we view with concern the statements being made by the US
Administration and the oligarchy in Venezuela, which pose a real threat to
these reforms.

We express our solidarity with free, independent and democratic trade
unionists in Venezuela and reject any outside interference in their affairs.

We note the independent poll in July that showed over 70% support for
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.  We also note the Venezuelan threat to
suspend oil exports to the US if attacks on its government continue.

We resolve to support the Venezuelan people’s efforts to preserve their
freedom and democracy and especially their right to a democratically
elected
government.

Moved John Maitland        Seconded Joe De Bruyn.