17 September 2009
The
AFL-CIO convention wrapped up today with several key moments,
including the rejoining of UNITE HERE to the federation and a
special award given to the daugher of a slain Colombian trade
unionist.
The moments were fitting, given the day's theme: "One World, One
Movement."
Asserting that "our 265,000 members belong in the House of
Labor," UNITE HERE rejoined the 11.5 million-member AFL-CIO one day
after Richard Trumka was elected president.
Underscoring the importance of unity within the labor movement
at a moment when working families have an opportunity to win
landmark improvements in jobs, health care and labor law, Trumka
presented a charter to UNITE HERE president John W.
Wilhelm.
"A united labor movement will serve the interests of working
people during this time of incredible opportunity," Trumka said.
Click
here for more on the reunification.
Trumka will continue to lead conversations with other unions
about affiliation and reaffiliation. USW International
President Leo W. Gerard is part of the committee of union
leaders working to reunify unions under the AFL-CIO tent.
Also Thursday, Yessika Hoyos, founder of Sons and Daughters
Against Impunity and for the Memory of the Fallen in
Colombia received the AFL's
George Meany-Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award.
"Destiny has brought me to be here with you today," Hoyos said
in an emotional speech. "It is my father's hands, outstretched in
solidarity, that receives this award. He would be smiling
today."
Trumka, a friend of Dario Hoyos, praised Yessica as “an
incredible woman.”
"As a lawyer, she has fought tirelessly to bring her father’s
killers to justice and to end the cycle of violence in her native
land. Even though the low-level trigger men responsible for her
father’s death have been prosecuted, the masterminds who ordered
Dario Hoyos’ death have not been found—an all-too-common scenario
in the deadliest country in the world for union members," Trumka
said.
Click here
for a letter sent today from USW's President Gerard to
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemning the treatment of
Colombian miners being punished for striking in protest of the work
place death of a colleague in one of the country's many dangerous
mines operated by U.S.-based Drummond.
At the convention, Hoyos said through an interpreter that
the solidarity of the U.S. union movement helps workers in
Colombia go on, despite the nation being the deadliest place on
Earth for trade unionists.
"You are the multipliers of our energy and our commitment. You
strengthen our voices that demand justice and truth. You are the
power in our raised fists. Your actions and your support encourage
us to continue on our difficult path that will finally bring us to
better and more dignified destinations. Thank you to all of you for
being the multipliers of our memory, our voices, our hopes and our
dreams," she said.
Hoyos, in spite of great risk to her life, in 2006 founded her
organization to build a social movement that will preserve the
memory of the murdered and will help bring an end to the impunity
brought on by a failed prosecutorial and justice system.