International Relations
REPORT 2006
New network to build initiatives
The range of international issues to which a trade union branch
can respond has not diminished even if there have not been any
major events like Make Poverty History.
The occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the actions of
Israel continue to cause anguish. UNISON responded rapidly to
the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in calling for an immediate
ceasefire and adding its weight to pressure on the Prime Minister.
Branch Officers supported local protests. Since the range
of issues is enormous so it is useful to focus on a few. This
year there have been meetings of an International Network, reporting
via me to the Branch Committee, through which a small number
of specific initiatives have been proposed. (Anyone wishing
to be notified of these meetings should contact me via the Branch
Office).
These initiatives include:
Middle East
We are planning to build support for the boycott of Eden Spring
water coolers - this is an Israeli company which extracts water
from the Golan Heights, part of Syria occupied by Israel. Boycotting
this and other Israeli goods is a call from Palestinian organizations
and trade unions, to build pressure for Israel to leave the
occupied territories. In terms of solidarity it is vital to
put pressures on the EU, the USA and Israel over the non-payment
to the Palestinian Authority of tax revenues, which has meant
that Palestinian public service workers have not been paid for
eight months.
Global warming
It is becoming accepted that this is the major long-term issue
facing the world; and that the people to suffer most, earliest,
will be in the developing world. But there is little consensus
about what to do or confidence that we can tackle it. I am arranging
a meeting at which a trade union response to these problems
can be worked out, on the basis of the branch's policies, using
the theme of Just Solutions to Global Warming. Hopefully this
will provide a foundation for more detailed policy and for providing
our members, and the public, with a better understanding of
the issue.
Globalisation
I attended an inspiring meeting organized by, sponsored by
UNISON, at which we heard from Oscar Silvera, leader of successful
struggles against water privatisation in Bolivia. We are planning
to work with the organizers, War on Want and the World Development
Movement, on promoting the importance of public services in
the prevention of poverty in the third world. Privatisation
is a threat there as well as here, promoted by the IMF and the
World Bank.
Nuclear Disarmament
The government's proposals on the renewal of Trident can only
undermine international non-proliferation and disarmament. During
and after the consultation period the branch should publicise
our positions on this matter.
Burma
The branch, mostly through the activities of Murray Forgie,
continues to offer support for Burmese refugees, working with
BEST and Amnesty.
Branch-sponsored events
It was proposed that in the coming year the branch could contact
a few of the organisations to which we are affiliated to discuss
public meetings in which their issues would be discussed with
a TU input/emphasis, to be sponsored or co-hosted by the branch.
These will raise the UNISON profile in those milieu and inform
branch members about the issue. For example, Jubilee Scotland;
Cuba Solidarity. Volunteers to support this idea will be very
welcome.
Matthew Crighton
International Officer
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