International Solidarity
July 24, 2014
The 22nd Biennial Convention continued the tradition of hosting union leaders and activists from around the globe. Their presence is an expression of building solidarity on an international level.
The delegates who attended came from public sector unions in their countries. They were from Canada, Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Russia and the United Kingdom.
Speaking for the group, Billy Hayes, president of post and logistics of the UNI Global and president of the Communication Workers Union of the United Kingdom, shared with the delegates the challenges that postal workers are facing in his country.
In regard to the Stop Staples Campaign Brother Hayes said, “In the UK we are very familiar with such moves. Management has been transferring Crown Offices facilities to WH Smith–a private retailer. Royal Post now has competition in delivery from TNT, an Australian based company controlled by the union-buster, Rupert Murdoch.”
Brother Hayes indicated that his union shares a common vision with the APWU in expanding services for the public. “In UK, we are campaigning for the establishment of a Post Bank. Many postal services throughout the world have one, and they are usually very profitable.”
As Hayes was preparing to depart for the NALC Convention in Philadelphia he said , “we have to build unity with our ‘cousins’ in the US because you work for the largest mail service in the world and we have to support each other.”