Eric Lee: Two steps forward, one step back

[Omaha Steve]

In this week's mailing:

* Turkey: Jailed unionists appeal for help
* Zimbabwe: Union leaders granted bail
* USA: Victory for Florida farmworkers

TURKEY: JAILED UNIONISTS APPEAL FOR HELP

Six months ago, a number of members of the Ankara branch of a road transport workers union were arrested and accused of setting up "a criminal organization". The union, and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) to which it is affiliated, deny the charge and demand that its seven jailed activists be released.

The Turkish government proclaims itself a democracy, and aims for membership in the European Union, but denies these workers the basic human right to join and form trade unions.

The first hearing takes place in early June -- please send off your message of protest today and spread the word to fellow union members:

http://www.labourstart.org/tumtis

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ZIMBABWE: UNION LEADERS GRANTED BAIL

As we reported to you early in May, several of Zimbabwe's leading trade unionists, including ZCTU president Lovemore Matombo, were jailed by the Mugabe regime in the aftermath of the recent elections. We have now learned that they have been granted bail. You can read the latest updates on the Amnesty International website, here:

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=439

Matombo is being allowed to come to Europe and will be speaking a joint event in London sponsored by, among others, Amnesty International and the TUC. Details of that event are here:

http://www.labourstart.org/zimbabwe/aiukevent200806.shtml

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USA: VICTORY FOR FLORIDA FARMWORKERS

After a big public campaign involving unions and workers' rights advocates, Burger King agreed to give Florida farmworkers a penny more per pound of picked tomatoes. According to a report from American Rights at Work, "that means an annual raise of 71% for the farmworkers who, on average, earn only $10,000 a year under the old wage, and are among this country’s most exploited workers." The organization is asking all of us to send a congratulatory note to the workers on this wonderful victory:

http://action.americanrightsatwork.org/campaign/burger_king_victory

It's good to be able to report on a victory like this, and to tell you that our brothers from Zimbabwe are now out of jail.

This is a reminder of how effective our movement's campaigns can be. Starting right now, let's mobilize thousands of our fellow trade union members to send a powerful message to the Turkish government demanding they release the jailed road transport union workers.

Have a great weekend.

Eric Lee


This message was sent by: Eric Lee, 51 Briarfield Avenue, London, UK N3 2LG, United Kingdom