USLEAP | Fighting for worker justice in the global economy.

US Labor Education in the Americas Project
Proyecto de Solidaridad Laboral en Las Américas

International Trade Union Movement Condemns Coup in Honduras; NGOs and Faith-Based Groups Issue Statement

June 30, 2009 --

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has joined a growing chorus of condemnation against the military coup in Honduras that took place on Sunday, June 27. U.S.

Three Reports Document Rise in Violence Against Trade Unionists in Guatemala

June 26, 2009 --

Three reports released in May and June document the rise of violence against trade unionists in Guatemala and the continuing wide-spread denial of worker rights since the passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Among other findings, Guatemala was the second most violent country in Latin America to be a trade unionist in 2008, trailing only Colombia.

Major Banana Strike in Colombia Ends

May 21, 2009 --

After a 13-day strike and a strenuous negotiation process, seventeen thousand workers in Colombia are returning to the banana plantations of Urabá.

Largest Latin American Banana Union on Strike in Colombia

May 13, 2009 --

Seventeen thousand workers from the banana plantations on the Northern coast of Colombia, represented by SINTRAINAGRO, the National Agricultural Industry Workers Union, went on strike on May 8.

More Trade Unionists Murdered in Colombia in 2008 than Rest of World Combined

June 19, 2009 --

According to an annual survey released on June 10 by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Colombia not only led the world in number of trade unionists murdered but accounted for nearly 65% of all assassinations of unionists worldwide in 2008.

Violence Against Colombian Trade Unionists

Fight Over Panama Free Trade Agreement Setting Stage for Colombia FTA

May 20, 2009 --

With the Obama Administration’s near-term trade agenda looking distressingly similar to that of the Bush Administration’s, worker rights advocates are gearing up for a fight against the Panama Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that could be brought to a vote in Congress this summer.

Free Trade Agreements and Trade Policy

Lawsuit: Dole Allegedly Funded Paramilitaries to Kill Banana Workers and Farmers in Colombia

May 13, 2009 --

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Dole Food Co. on behalf of 73 people, victims of murdered trade unionists and farmers in the banana-growing region of north Colombia, accusing the company of funding paramilitaries to carry out assassinations and terror tactics in order to protect its banana operations.