Adapt resolution for local use.

Building solidarity with Venezuela

Change Union Branch to your organisations name.

Union Branch congratulates and supports the Venezuelan Government for its utilisation of the country's wealth and resources for reforms to benefit working people, the poor and the landless.

Union Branch notes the results of the referendum in August 2004 in Venezuela that gave President Hugo Chávez an overwhelming victory and a strengthened democratic mandate. This followed continuing and overwhelming democratic support at numerous elections.

We also note that these results confirm that there is overwhelming support among working people and the poor for the social programme of the Chávez Government in relation to education, literacy, job training, healthcare, land reform and subsidised food.

Union Branch recognises that to make social and economic progress Venezuela is:

A) Employing 10,000s of both Cuban and Venezuelan doctors to provide free Health care for the poorest 80%, for the first time ever.

B) Encouraging independent trade unions and worker co-operatives.

C) Undertaking a massive house-building project aimed at ridding the existence of the slums that millions live in.

D) Successful in eliminating illiteracy.

E) Outlawed all discrimination.

F) Investing in developing universal free health and education.

G) Redistributing land.

However, Union Branch views with alarm the bellicose statements being made by the US Administration and its allies in Colombia and the oligarchy in Venezuela which pose a real threat to these reforms.

Union Branch deplores the attempts of the United States Administration to intervene in the internal life of Venezuela and agrees to raise these concerns with the British Government. Union Branch expresses its solidarity with trade unionists in Venezuela and rejects any outside interference in their affairs.

Union Branch notes that the anti-democratic and illegal actions of the opposition, whilst little carried in the mainstream media, is shown dramatically in the award winning DVD the Revolution Will Not be Televised. Conference notes the distribution difficulties and encourages the widest possible publicity of this and Venezuela solidarity in general.

Union Branch notes that 3 organisations have been created in Britain to promote solidarity. These are the global HoV campaign, Venezuela Solidarity Campaign and the recently created Venezuela Information Centre (VIC). Conference notes that each of these have addressed different aspect of solidarity, worked positively on a range of initiatives and are all continuing to build solidarity and raise the profile of Venezuela in a range of areas. These include delegations, literature, public meetings, DVD distribution, press campaigns, web sites, supporter databases, meetings with MP's, Mayor of London etc.

Union Branch notes that many regional and national trade unions have affiliated and supported the campaign groups. Conference further notes that the TUC Congress of September 2005 agreed unanimously to promote solidarity.

Therefore Union agrees to:

Support wider trade union and solidarity campaign initiatives to highlight the issue of Venezuela within the British labour movement in accordance with union principles

Union Branch agrees to promote solidarity with the trade unionists of Venezuela, work wherever possible and practicable with trade union backed Venezuela Solidarity campaigns.

Union Branch agrees to promote wherever appropriate, campaign material to branches and activists and VSC website www.venezuelasolidarity.org.uk.

Promote Solidarity Tours of VSC to visit UNT trade unions and progressives organisations.

Venezuela
Resolution passed at TUC Congress 2005

Congress congratulates and supports the Venezuelan Government for its utilisation of the country's wealth and resources for reforms to benefit working people, the poor and the landless.

Congress notes the results of the referendum last August in Venezuela that gave President Hugo Chávez an overwhelming victory and a strengthened democratic mandate.

Congress further notes that these results confirm that there is overwhelming support among working people and the poor for the social programme of the Chávez Government in relation to education, literacy, job training, healthcare, land reform and subsidised food.

However, Congress views with alarm the bellicose statements being made by the US Administration and its allies in Colombia and the oligarchy in Venezuela which pose a real threat to these reforms.

Congress deplores the attempts of the United States Administration to intervene in the internal life of Venezuela and agrees to raise these concerns with the British Government. Congress expresses its solidarity with trade unionists in Venezuela and rejects any outside interference in their affairs.

Congress agrees to support wider trade union initiatives to highlight the issue of Venezuela within the British labour movement, including the organisation of a trade union delegation to meet and build links with Venezuelan trade unionists.

Furthermore, Congress will build and work with trade union endorsed organisations in the UK working to provide solidarity to Venezuela.

NATFHE - The University and College Lecturers' Union

Midlands TUC & Trades Union Councils’ support Solidarity

“Midlands TUC recognises that a social revolution is happening in Venezuela. Since the election of Chavez in 1998, as head of the popular coalition of political parties and community groups, massive social progress has been made.

Midlands TUC further recognises:

1) The government has faced an illegal coup, condemned by the world except America that was overthrown after 2 days, by massive popular uprising.

2) Massive oil and economic sabotage by the opposition billionaire media and business owners costing £10 billions.

3) Massive media lies and distortions including forgery. The daily paper Tal Cual printed a frontpage photo- shopped image of him waving a revolver around, under the headline “A Nation at Gunpoint”. In the original picture, Chavez was, in fact, holding a rose.

4) Significant racism in the media against the President.

5) Fascist terrorists have been brought in by elements of the opposition to attempt a military takeover and impose fascism.

However, despite these illegal and undemocratic attacks, Midlands TUC applauds the progressive developments which include:

A) The government employing 10,000s of both Cuban and Venezuelan doctors to provide free Health care for the poorest 80%, for the first time ever.

B)  Workers establishing fully democratic an independent trade unions, under the UNT,  who have expressed support for the Constitution.

C) Started a massive house-building project aimed at ridding the existence of the slums that millions live in.

D) Eliminated illiteracy.

E) Outlawed all discrimination.

F) Massive investments in developing universal free health and education.

G) Redistributed land. In addition, the  overwhelming  ratification of his Presidency in  a 2004  referendum demonstrates the massive support  for the Reforms.

This Regional TUC therefore resolves to:

1)  Express its solidarity to the trade unionists of the UNT.

2)  Support the Venezuelan people in their effort to extend social and economic Freedom.

3)  Support and promote Solidarity campaigns within Britain that support the popular Reforms.

4)  Encourage solidarity activities to be co- ordinated via the newly established  Venezuela Solidarity Campaign at venezuelasolidarity.org.uk”.