EUROF newspaper 2015 by RevolSocia

EUROPEAN REGIONAL OFFICE-WFTU Archemos Str. 29, P.O.Box 1885 Nicosia - Cyprus Tel.: 00357 - 22 866 477, 22 866 400 E-mail: info@eurof-wftu.cy www.eurof-wftu.org.cy

EDITION 2015

No. 1

World Federation of Trade Unions: 70 years of action and struggle

> World Federation of Trade Unions: 70 years of action and struggle (pages 1-2)

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). The conference for the establishment of the World Federation of Trade Unions took place in Paris from 25th September until 8th October 1945 and was attended by 346 delegates from 56 countries.

> European Regional Office of WFTU Statement on the Report of the International Labour Organisation - 2015 (page 3)

> On the issue of peace and the role of the class-orientated Trade Union Movement (pages 4-5)

> Message of the European Regional Office of WFTU on the 8th March International Working Women's’ Day 8th March 2015 (pages 5-6)

> XII World Congress: TUI Public Services: “We demand social functions in service of the people and the workers”

On 3rd October the conference was evolved into the WFTU founding Congress. The composition of the first Executive Committee, which headed the newly established federation, was as follows: Walter Citrine (Great Britain) Chairman, Louis Sayan (France) General Secretary, Vice-Presidents Kuznetsov (USSR), Hillman (USA), Jouhaux (France), Lombardo Toledano (Latin America), Xu (China), Di Vittorio (Italy) and Coopers (Netherlands).

(page 6)

> Cyprus: Massive rally organized against austerity (page 7)

> Farewell to comrade Cleanthis Cleanthous A big loss to the Cypriot and international trade union movement (page 8)

The WFTU since its founding Congress in Paris has marched on a path full of struggles and mobilizations in defence of the working people in all the continents.

and struggles of the peoples and the working class against fascist military dictatorships, for democracy and independence in every corner of the world.

Shortly before the establishment of the WFTU humanity had succeeded by defeating Nazism-fascism to emerge from the devastation of war; a war that had caused terrible destruction all over the the world and the loss of millions of lives, not only with the use of conventional weapons, but this time also with the use of nuclear weapons.

The changes that have occurred with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the socialist camp brought dramatic upheavals within the international trade union movement and WFTU’s activity was particularly affected badly. In that crucial period two lines appeared within its ranks. The class approach set as its priority the reconstruction of the WFTU and the other in practice favoured the dissolution of the WFTU itself in the name supposedly of renewal.

The newly established trade union movement of WFTU could not remain uninvolved and in one of its first resolutions it had adopted it set as it’s the principal task the struggle for the elimination of fascism. WFTU from the very outset was a key component part of the broad anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movement that had developed in many parts of the world after the Second World War.

The 15th Congress held in Havana in 2005 was the starting point for WFTU’s new beginning. The delegates who took part laid the foundations for WFTU’s new course.

The start of the Cold War brought the split within the ranks of the WFTU which was the result of the activities waged by the Governments of the US, Great Britain, France, Japan and other capitalist states.

The 16th WFTU Congress HELD in Athens IN 2011 was an important landmark in the course of the international workers movement which in the conditions of the world capitalist crisis and an all-out attack on working people’s rights, is confronted with new challenges. Despite weaknesses and problems, the Congress enhanced the class orientation of the WFTU and projected its militant action.

On the initiative of the American trade unions AFLCIO, who had left the ranks of the WFTU along with some Confederations from other countries and at the beginning of the 1950’s, founded the “International Confederation of Free Trade Unions» (ICFTU) which was later renamed “International Trade Union Confederation” (ITUC)

The European Regional Office of the WFTU, despite the difficulties and always based on the decisions of the 16th WFTU Congress and the principles of class solidarity, is working for the rallying, unity and coordination of the class forces and struggles of the working class inEurope.

From 1945 until the 1990’s, the World Federation of Trade Unions guided in its actions by the principles of international solidarity and internationalism due to its prestige, orientation and mass organisation, established itself as the leading force in the mass movements of the working class.

The current conditions working people are faced with are setting new responsibilities and new challenges for the movement of the WFTU. Despite the great difficulties and attacks working people are under, the WFTU at all times remains the pole of resistance to neoliberal anti-social policies.

The WFTU made a significant contribution and played a decisive role inside the International Labour Organisation in the adoption of important Conventions and decisions to the benefit of working people. All the key International Conventions with regards trade union and democratic freedoms, collective agreements, social insurance, women’s rights, child labour, working hours, training of workers, and many other resolutions that reflect the achievements of the working class, bear WFTU’s mark.

Today 70 years since its foundation, the class based trade union movement of the WFTU with 82 million members in 120 countries, with the values of class trade unionism and solidarity, with its struggles and actions, remains the genuine voice and expression of working people’s interests. The deep capitalist crisis should be the occasion for societies to resist the onslaught of neoliberalism and assert a different path for the construction of a society based on social justice and the abolition of the exploitation of man by man.

The contribution of the World Federation of Trade Unions both in the mass struggles of the working class, but also of humanity in general is great and multifaceted. The WFTU in its statutes has set the prevalence of peace in the world as a priority. It actively supported the national liberation movements

European Regional Office of WFTU Statement on the Report of the International Labour Organisation - 2015

vive on less than one dollar a day. Six hundred million children are growing up in extreme poverty and destitution, while tens of millions of them die each year as a result of hunger. In the EU countries,the number of the poor keeps increasing since in practice what have been implemented are brutal austerity policies: Welfare State’s destruction, privatization of essential public services, deregulation of labour relations and strong wages’ growth constraints. Such policies have been the cause of deep social regression in several European countries, namely in those under the so-called “fiscal consolidation” programmes.

The annual Report of the International Labour Office on unemployment was published recently. According to the Report’s data, the number of unemployed is expected to increase by at least 11 million in the coming years and inequalities in the world are growing. The Report warns that in 2019 over 219 million may be unemployed, while due to the outbreak of the global crisis in 2008 more than 61 million jobs were lost.

The Report confirms WFTU’s positions that is the very capitalist system which is responsible for unemployment, an inherent feature of capitalism itself. It has as its sole objective the pursuit of the maximization of profit and perceives the labour force as a cheap commodity.

Workers aged 15 to 24 years, who have been particularly affected by the crisis with the international unemployment rate for this age group rising to almost 13%, will continue to be severely affected in the coming years.

While the crisis of the capitalist system is increasingly deteriorating, while the capitalist system itself challenges organized struggle, it is obvious that the only path for workers, is to organize, class solidarity and struggle with the class labour movement for their survival. The time has come for working people to intensify their resistance and fights against the brutal attacks of big business and governments, for steady employment, with collective bargaining and full rights.

The ILO warns that social instability is especially acute in countries where youth unemployment is high or increasing rapidly. In Europe, the employment situation will remain difficult with high unemployment rates. Still, WFTU finds ILO’s projections too optimistic, namely those concerning growth of real wages. Despite the low inflation rate predicted for 2015 and beyond, economic policies from European Union and implemented on its member-states, are expected to reinforce their anti-labour character and will keep pressuring wages down.

In the current bleak international economic and social scenario, only an ILO with an independent approach, not yielding to the employers and governments pressure, may deliver democratic responses to the very uneven balance in favour of capital and to the detriment of labour prevailing in the world today.

At the same time, the ILO Report notes that income inequality will continue to rise as the 10% of the richest will own 30 to 40% of total income, while 10% of the poorest will own from 2 to 7% and that high inequality is a cause for economic slowdown. According to the figures of the United Nations, global wealth has increased sevenfold and per capita income has tripled. But this has not also led to a reduction in poverty, rather inequalities, exploitation and poverty worldwide have intensified and grown. The outbreak of the capitalist crisis has dramatically exacerbated social contradictions and maximized inequalities and discrimination whilst unemployment is already worsening the already critical situation. According to global data 50,000 people die every day from poverty and hunger, while one billion people sur-

On the issue of peace and the role of the class-orientated Trade Union Movement

drenched in the blood of the people of Yugoslavia. It participated in the occupation and subsequently illegal declaration of independence of Kosovo. It took part in the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.

Almost 70 years after the great victory over fascism the peoples of the world are still fighting for peace to prevail.

With the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009 a significant step was taken towards the full militarization of the Union’s external action and foreign policy. Today the EU is playing an increasing role in military interventions and fully coordinates with the structures and plans of NATO and the US expansionist strategies.

The current international situation does not meet the aspirations the people had after the end of the Second World War for a world free from wars, where all peoples of the world will live in peace.

The European Union is pursuing an increasingly deeper neoliberal and pro-Atlantic path. It is rapidly being set up into an imperialist pole participating in the division of the world. The EU has already legitimized a series of wars and interventions, participated in them, as it indeed actively participates in the “war” against terrorism. Operational missions that the EU can assume beyond its borders have been expanded, given that now besides the “humanitarian” and rescue missions, conflict prevention and peacekeeping missions.

Today the world is characterized by dramatic disparities of wealth and power and by imperialist wars since capitalism does not hesitate to act inhumanly to boost its profits. The dead from wars, the unemployed, homeless, poor and immigrants around the world illustrate that capitalism can only lead mankind into misery. The ongoing conflicts, imperialist wars for zones of influence, but also the unprecedented capitalist crisis as a result of capital’s immunity leaves humanity no room to be complacent. In a period marked by the deep crisis of capitalism, the United States, NATO and its allies are massacring peoples all over the world for the control of energy sources and promoting their geo-strategic interests at the expense of the sovereignty of states, human rights and freedoms.

At a time when the workers and peoples of Europe are suffering from the tragic consequences of severe anti-worker and anti-social austerity policies implemented by the EU and governments, new military spending is being promoted that will result in increasing the armament industry’s profits. Furthermore, “Member States shall undertake progressively to improve their military capabilities” and towards this end the European Defence Agency (EDA) is being institutionalised for the development of defence research, supplies, equipment and the expansion of the European military industry and technology. It is characteristic that the EDA in 2004 had a budget of around € 2 million, while last year it exceeded € 30 million without calculating the costs of each separate program. This is a mechanism that is inherent in the giant business companies of the military industry.

As a result of the foreign interventions in the Middle East the peoples are suffering from bloody wars and the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean in general is explosive, creating dangers for humanity. Among the countries suffering from the horrors of war are Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The notorious policy of equal distances is observed between the Palestinian people and the State of Israel, whilst daily attacks and bloodshed against the Palestinian people are being committed. The military occupation and colonization of Cyprus - an EU Member State - is being tolerated. Islamic fundamentalism and the phenomena of terrorism did not arise from nowhere. In their attempts to control resources and impose their economic and political influence, the US and EU governments either tolerated or cooperated with and funded various extremist groups which have resulted in the chaos and the bloody massacres humanity is following in awe. Furthermore, they are imposing on the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Atlantic their demands for capital’s unbridled activity in order to help them financially. In Europe, Ukraine, as a result of the cooperation between the imperialist powers with the fascist forces, has been led to a civil war. Despite the Nobel Peace Prize it has been awarded, the EU has its hands

International organizations such as the IMF, the World Trade Organisation and the World Bank are acting as pillars of capitalist exploitation, in order to strengthen neo-liberalism and neo-colonialism with the imposition of the Memoranda of the Troika and economic agreements against the people’s interests. The example of Ukraine is characteristic. The support given to the new regime of Ukraine is part of a more general policy that includes the arrival of the IMF in the country, the conclusion of the EU-Ukraine Association, the creation of a free trade area, the liberalization of economic sectors of the country and NATO’s involvement in the restructuring of the country’s defence. This is the same policy that is de-

manded from all the countries that are not part of the so-called “Eastern Neighbourhood Policy of the EU”, which includes besides Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus and Moldova.

well as the principle of respect for territorial integrity and expresses its opposition to the establishment of puppet governments. • Opposes increased military spending and the establishment of new bases all over the world.

NATO as the military arm of imperialism and a key tool for fulfilling the goals of governments and the monopolies through its expansion increases uncertainty and confronts humanity with serious dangers.

• Supports initiatives against the development of nuclear weapons.

For these reasons, peace is a huge issue with a broad content. Peace is an ideal, which refers to the struggles of the peoples against imperialism, wars, exploitation and the policies that promote injustice. Thus, the struggle for peace is not only related closely with the struggle against war, but also with the struggles of the peoples and workers against the globalization of monopolies and has for this reason also a class character.

Message of the European Regional Office of WFTU on the 8th March International Working Women’s’ Day 8th March 2015 The European Regional Office of the WFTU on the occasion of 8th March addresses a warm class militant greeting to all women.

Apart from the struggle against imperialism in the field of war a struggle against imperialism is also required in the field of the economy, society and socioeconomic policies of neoliberalism, exploitation and injustice. The WFTU for 70 years remains enduringly the international class-orientated trade union force that defends peace and struggles against imperialist interventions. The statutes of the WFTU approved in its Paris founding Congress state that one of its main objectives is to fight against war and in favour of establishing a permanent and lasting peace. Today the global anti-war peace movement is assuming an increasingly anti-imperialist character and is becoming more massive and mature. The unrelenting brutality and aggression of the so-called New World Order urgently raises the need to combat it on a more broad and militant level. Today when imperialism appears invincible the struggle of the peoples and workers is the most effective weapon against war. The working people must strengthen and broaden the peace movement’s activity, demanding from governments not to participate in imperialist wars and rivalries.

Honouring today 158 years after the uprising of working women in the New York textile factories on 8th March 1857, the struggle of women workers remains a shining example and guide for millions of women all over the world struggling and asserting a society of equality and progress, a society that will abolish exploitation. Equality and parity are not granted, but won and the struggle is only effective when it is linked to the wider struggle of the working people’s movement.

The class-orientated trade union movement in Europe continues to struggle against imperialism and war and through its struggles: • Confirms in practice its determination to defend peace and the sovereignty of peoples and countries. • Expresses its solidarity with the peoples struggling for peace and democracy.

This is so because the struggle of women for parity and equality is first and foremost a class struggle. It is an integral part of the struggle of the entire working class against exploitation, for a just society without class, social or other discriminations.

• Supports the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of independent sovereign states, as

This year’s Celebration of 8th March 8 is taking place in unfavourable conditions for workers around the

XII World Congress: TUI Public Services: “We demand social functions in service of the people and the workers”

world and especially in Europe, where working people are faced with the harsh consequences of the profound crisis of the capitalist system, witnessing cruel and relentless attacks on their rights. Today the working women suffer under the offensive of the capital and the European Union, an attack against the social role of motherhood through flexible working conditions, equalizing the retirement age for men and women, abolishing the rules and legislation for the protection of motherhood and by privatizing the health and childcare functions.

XII World Congress of Trade Unions of Public Service Employees and Allied (TUI-PSEA) which was held in Kathmandu, Nepal on the 13-14th February 2015 has been completed with great success. The Congress discussed on the developments in the public sector and the economy worldwide, about the impact of the capitalist reforms and the anti-labour policy and concluded to the important Main Resolution included below.

It has been proven once again in practice that capitalism cannot ensure stable growth and social progress. The European Regional Office of the WFTU assures working, migrant and unemployed women that in their struggles and assertions they are not alone. The European Regional Office continues to work in line with the decisions of the class-based trade union movement of WFTU against the brutal European Union anti peoples policies, against the attacks of capital and the multinationals, for working women’s joint action in Europe and for real equality between men and women and for the fulfilment of the great vision for the abolition of exploitation and injustice.

A new leadership was elected by the Congress with comrade Pierpaolo Leonardi (Italy) newly elected General Secretary and comrade Artur Sequeira (Portugal) President of the Organization. The Congress concluded with a mass demonstration in the center of Kathmandu with the participation of all delegates and great number of Nepali workers.

Long Live March 8! Long live the solidarity of working people!

Cyprus: Massive rally organized against austerity.

rope - RETUN SEE, Panhellenic Federation of Energy. Solidarity messages were also received from other unions and movements in Europe.

On the 4th of March 2015 thousands of people responded to the call issued by the Platform of Trade Union and Social organisations “Society reacts and asserts” to voice their anger, but also their resolve to continue mass organised struggles against the policies of the directorate and ruling circles of Brussels. Outside the European Central Bank Governing Council’s session in Nicosia workers, unemployed, teachers and students, farmers, pensioners and many others denounced the vicious Memoranda policies serving capital’s interests. The Cypriot people are resisting, demanding and fighting for growth, jobs and progress, an end to the dismantling of the welfare state, privatisations and the selling off of public wealth, the respect of labour relations, collective agreements and working people’s rights and gains.

The World Federation of Trade Unions WFTU General Secretary George Mavrikos expressed WFTU’s militant class solidarity with the working class and people of Cyprus who are struggling - as he said – for their rights and a better future. “We are here to denounce the Troika’s policies, the policies of the ECB, the European Union, the IMF, which bring suffering, problems, unemployment, privatizations, poverty, unemployment, misery and lead dignified workers to poverty and begging. We are here today to underline that the working class in Europe and around the world will keep on fighting for our rights, so that workers will know they will have a collective agreement, that the agreement will be implemented and that workers will have a specific working time, that they will know that the working people’s residences will not be foreclosed and auctioned. We are here struggling for all people to have social insurance, a pension and the right to dignity, for the people’s present and future, to ensure conditions for people to live as human beings and not as animals”, the WFTU General Secretary declared. The General Secretary of PEO Pambis Kyritsis stressed that the “restructuring” of the European financial sector, which collapsed due to the unrestrained greed of financial capital for easy gain and the drive for maximization of profit, is being shouldered by the people. That is to say, the working people, whose rights are being abolished and are at the mercy of the bosses immunity, whilst pensioners and the unemployed are condemned to social exclusion, farmers are being wiped out, along with the SME’s, whilst young people’s dreams are being shattered.

Three mass marches were organised that later came together at the big rally organised by the Platform of 18 trade unions and social organisations. The classbased trade union of the Pancyprian Federation of Labour PEO, the biggest trade union federation in our country, has played the pivotal and decisive role in the forging of a broad front of various trade unions and social movements around specific goals and based on a mutually agreed framework.

He pointed out that this economic and social policy of the EU ruling circles has been imposed in Cyprus through blatant blackmail and threats. The ECB has played a leading role in these efforts. Unfortunately our own government, the GS of PEO pointed out, was also an accomplice, since it does not miss an opportunity to also declare that even though a Memorandum might not have been imposed on us, it would implement these policies because it considers the Memorandum as its own ideological Manifesto. The General Secretary of PEO called upon the people not to yield and submit, not to surrender to all that is being imposed on us. In any case, he said, things will definitely get much worse for the workers and the people.

Among the slogans shouted were: “Enough of austerity - we demand dignity”, “Money for education and health - not for the bankers and the plutocracy”, “Students - workers, one voice, one fist”, “Forward people, do not yield - the only path is resistance and struggle”, “Cyprus, Greece, Spain - the plutocracy must pay for the crisis”, “Capitalism is not our future”. Present at the rally were G. Mavrikios General Secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions WFTU, the GUE MEP Fabio di Masi on behalf of the Blockoccupy movement, leading officials from the All-Workers Militant Front PAME of Greece, General Confederation of Greek Workers GSEE, National Federation of Workers in the Chemical Industry of France, Left Bloc section of the Trade Union Federation of Austria, Unione Sindacale di Base USB of Italy, Regional Energy Trade Unions Network of South Eastern Eu-

Farewell to comrade Cleanthis Cleanthous A big loss to the Cypriot and international trade union movement

After the reversals of period 1990-1992, when WFTU was going through rough moments, comrade Kleanthis Kleanthous was standing stable on the defence of the World Federation of Trade Unions. In all the positions he served, what stood out was his vigour, militant spirit and commitment to the just cause of the working people.

The Secretariat of the European Regional Office of WFTU with profound grief and deep sorrow announces the death of veteran trade unionist Cleanthis Cleanthous who after many months of struggle lost his battle with cancer.

Delivering the eulogy the General Secretary of PEO Pambis Kyritsis referred to the life and struggle of Cleanthous, saying that ‘’he realised from an early age that working peoples social struggles for a better tomorrow assume a greater meaning and content when they are connected with the revolutionary vision for a qualatively more advanced society without exploitation and discrimination. Cleanthis Cleanthous worked to fulfil this vision not only as an active trade unionist, but also as a communist with strong ideological beliefs.’’

Comrade Cleanthous was born on 22/06/1942 in Limassol. In 1965 at the age of 23 he became a fulltime cadre of PEO Limassol assuming the position of Secretary of the Young Workers Branch. Between 1977- 1987 he served as Secretary of the Transport and Dock Workers Trade Union. From 1988 he offered his services to the mechanism of the Departmental Council of PEO Limassol, where in 1991 he was elected to the position of Secretary of the Departmental Council, a position he held until 2006.

The Secretariat of the WFTU in a statement issued, but also with the personal attendance of the WFTU General Secretary himself at the funeral Georgos Mavrikou paid homage to the memory of Cleanthis Cleanthous. In addition, many organisations sent messages of condolences. The Secretariat of the European Regional Office of WFTU says goodbye to a great representative of the working class, a militant, internationalist and devoted trade unionist, whose personal contribution for the continuation of WFTU in general and in Europe specifically has been crucial. Farewell...

He was for many years a member of the General Council of PEO, a member of the Executive Council of PEO and the Executive Bureau of PEO. His contribution to the international class-based trade union movement, the World Federation of Trade Unions, was exceptional. He was for many years the President of the Audit Committee of the WFTU, member of WFTU Presidential Council for many years, and in the period 2006-2011 assumed the leadership of the European Regional Office of WFTU.