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As part of a six-member Solidarity Center delegation, Florida State AFL-CIO Vice President Mike Williams learned about Colombian workers’ constant struggle for social and economic justice—and why U.S workers need to hear their story.
Day 9—Awake at 4:00 am, I double-checked the room for my belongings as we were flying back to Bogotá this morning. We met in the lobby at 5:30 a.m., loaded all the bags into the van, and headed to the airport. Along the way we stopped to visit with refinery workers during the morning shift change. The union leadership met us at the gates and the workers gathered to hear our comments. Each of us spoke to them regarding solidarity, unity, and international labor relationships. The armed military was stationed in several locations at the edge of the gathering and at the refinery gates. This group of workers was the most subdued of all we have met. I can only guess why!
The cool air from Bogotá’s high elevation met us on the steps of the plane as we exited onto the tarmac. It was a welcome change from the stifling heat of the 100-degree daytime highs of the regions we had just visited. Our next stop was with the leadership of the local CUT. This group would be similar to a Central Labor Council of the AFL-CIO.
Leaders from education, health care, the public sector, and others told us of the continual violations of worker rights. Teachers have been hard hit, especially in the rural areas. Teachers are often the voice of a community, speaking to the social and labor issues. The paramilitary has murdered many teachers and forced many others to be displaced into the Bogotá area. In addition to the teachers, thousands of small farmers have been forced to leave their land so that multinational companies can expand the exploitation of Colombia’s natural resources. Rank and file glass workers spoke to us about their struggles during a recent strike against two multinational companies. They told of their success due to strategic support from the AFL-CIO and its affiliates, especially the Steelworkers. We were thanked over and over for our interest in the Colombian labor movement. We ended our conversations during a boisterous and lengthy lunch.
We loaded into the van and took an exhilarating ride during midday rush-hour traffic to our next meeting. The congested streets were filled with tiny taxis, mopeds, and city buses. The rules of the road are determined by who is the most daring behind the wheel. Traffic signals, street signs, lane stripes, and speed limits seem to be in place for the excitement of violating their meanings.
Daniel García Peña graciously welcomed us to his office. Peña is a former government peace negotiator and former general secretary of the opposition Democratic Pole political party, now Director of Planeta Paz, a Colombian non-governmental organization that focuses on developing creative solutions to end the armed conflict. He educated us on the politics of Colombia’s President Álvaro Uribe. Uribe has close ties to President George W. Bush, and many of his policies are similar to those of the Bush/Cheney agenda. As the result of a national referendum, he is currently serving a term beyond the normal Presidential term limits, and he is seeking to continue with additional terms of office. He was first elected on a platform of eliminating terrorism (sound familiar?) and the Colombian guerrilla group, the FARC. He has had some success, which has increased his popularity.
We learned that although Uribe has been somewhat effective against the FARC, Colombians are suffering from the government’s allegedly close associations to the paramilitary, known as “parapolitics.” Although the FARC and the paramilitary may have different philosophies and purposes, their operations and outcomes are the same. The illegal paramilitary uses intimidation, threats, violence, and murders to keep a region’s population in line with the policies of the government and the demands of the multinational companies. This was a very informative briefing on Colombian politics and how it impacts labor and social issues.
At dinner, we identified our key issues to discuss during tomorrow’s separate meetings with the government’s labor and social ministries and representatives of the U.S. Embassy. Also, I was told tomorrow is the “dress-up” day. Oh well, my cleanest best pair of jeans and the least wrinkled shirt will have to do. I think Colombian hotels do not believe in irons. I hope the steam from the shower works!
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