AFL-CIO Forms Partnership with U.S.-Mexico Workers’ Rights Network

[Better Believe It]

AFL-CIO Forms Partnership with U.S.-Mexico Workers’ Rights Network
by James Parks, Apr 17, 2008
AFL-CIO News

Workers and their unions continue to reach across borders to create lasting relationships that will build strength to help balance the struggle between the rich and working people in the global economy.

Today, the AFL-CIO and Enlace, a network of workers’ rights groups in the United States and Mexico, took an important step in helping low-wage workers by entering into a new partnership agreement to promote and advance social and economic justice in both nations.

Enlace, which means “link” in Spanish, is a network of 21 worker centers, unions and organizing groups representing approximately 300,000 low-wage workers in the United States and Mexico.

The new partnership will strengthen the ability of the AFL-CIO and Enlace to work together to promote and enforce workplace rights. Initially, the two groups will focus on international campaigns, education and training and building bridges among worker centers and unions. A special emphasis will be placed on strengthening solidarity among worker advocates in the United States and in Mexico.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney says:

"We look forward to working together to curb global corporate abuse of workers and their families. The agreement does not require that Enlace members become union members, but provides a vehicle for joint work in both nations."


http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/04/17/afl-cio-forms-partnership-with-us-mexico-workers-rights-network/

[Mountainman]

1. Workers of the world unite!

All the weary mothers of the earth will finally rest;
We will take their babies in our arms, and do our best.
When the sun is low upon the field,
To love and music they will yield,
And the weary mothers of the earth will rest.

And the farmer on his tractor, and beside his plow,
Will stand there in confusion as we wet his brow
With the tears of all the businessmen
Who see what they have done to him,
And the weary farmers of the earth shall rest.

And the aching workers of the world again shall sing
These words in mighty choruses to all will bring -
"We shall no longer be the poor,
For no one owns us any more,"
And the workers of the world again shall sing.

And when the soldiers burn their uniforms in every land,
And the foxholes at the borders will be left unmanned -
General, when you come for the review
The troops will have forgotten you,
And the men and women of the earth shall rest.

Joan Baez