Chris Smalls, American labor union leader, reportedly tortured by Israeli security forces

Chris Smalls at the KNE-Odigitis Festival in Athens, Greece, 2024

Chris Smalls, an American trade unionist and leader of the Amazon Labor Union, has been subjected to torture by Israeli security forces, reports say. Smalls was aboard of Gaza-bound Handala aid ship which was seized by Israeli forces near the Gaza coast on Saturday night, with 21 unarmed civilians on board, including lawmakers, medics, and volunteers. 

“When he reached the Israeli prison, U.S. human rights defender Chris Smalls was physically assaulted by seven uniformed individuals,” the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said on X.

KKE: The importance of the work of the communists in changing the correlation of forces within trade unions and mass organizations

Article by the International Relations Section of the CC of the KKE

Communist Parties, Communist Youth Organizations and friends abroad who follow the developments in Greece and the activities of the KKE and the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE) are asking for information about the work of the communists in the labour and people’s movement. Recently, the university student elections took place in Greece. For the fourth consecutive year, the list supported by the youth of the KKE, KNE, took first place, leaving the youth of the right-wing government party in second place again. 

World Federation of Trade Unions and PAME hail the massive anti-war mobilizations of the people in Israel

In recent statement, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) hails the  massive anti-war mobilizations in Tel Aviv. More specifically WFTU stresses out:

The World Trade Union Federation is pleased to note the mass mobilizations of the people in Israel against the anti-people policies of the Netanyahu government and are calling for an end to the ongoing genocide in the Palestinian land.

Serbian and Greek unionists meet in Belgrade to mark the 25 years since NATO bombing

At the emblematic bridge of Novi Sad, a symbol of both the NATO atrocity and the heroic resistance of the Serbian people against the imperialist intervention of 1999, a massive delegation of PAME demonstrated.

The hundreds of union representatives opened a giant banner spreading it on the bridge and sending the message “75 years NATO has been targeting the peoples of the whole world-The only power is the people”.

 

Trade unionist leader Muhammad Shaban Azouz dies

Muhammad Shaban Azouz, prominent trade unionist leader from Syria and former President of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), died on Monday in Damascus, aged 70. 

Azouz, a native of Aleppo, was a long-time member of the central leadership of Al-Baath Arab Socialist Party.

In a statement, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) stresses out:

"With great sorrow, the WFTU informs about the passing away of comrade Mohammad Shaban Azouz who served as president of the WFTU.

PAME: Sell-out “Trade Unions” in the service of the monopolies and the Governments

 By Nikolas Theodorakis.

Workers’ struggles have nothing to do with the filth of the ITUC- ETUC, just as these organisations have nothing to do with the working class.

The recent arrest of the General Secretary of the ITUC, International Trade Union Confederation, and until hours before the arrest also the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation – ETUC, has come to bring to the fore again the multifarious interference of the monopolies and the imperialists in order to control the trade union movement.

PAME exposes the dirty role and lies of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)

PAME: The dirty role and lies of the ETUC-CES revealed again

On November 9 a General Strike took place in Greece. A strike that was decided, was prepared and succeeded thanks to the action of the militant trade unions of Greece. It was one of the most massive and successful strikes of recent years. In this strike the class unions of Greece had the massive support and solidarity of militant unions from all over the world and at the central Strike Rally of PAME in Athens attended the entire Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions-WFTU/FSM, expressing its solidarity in practice.

Italy: Massive rally in Piacenza against the persecution of trade unionists

With a massive demonstration held in Piacenza, in Italy's northern region of Emilia Romagna, thousands of workers, men and women, people of every age, demanded the release of the eight trade unionists of Si Cobas and USB who remain under house arrest.

The trade unionists were placed under house arrest and searched on July 19th, based on a 350-page indictment of the Piacenza Public Prosecutor’s Office against USB and Si Cobas unions. 

Ukraine and Russia governments unleash attack against workers' rights

Presidents Zelensky and Putin, both enemies of the working class.

In the midst of the imperialist war, the governments of Ukraine and Russia are promoting and implementing bills that undermine the rights of the workers in favor of the big capital.

Ukraine's Parliament Verkhovna Rada has passed two bills that obliterate workers' rights to collective bargaining and other fundamental labor protections, and allow employers to put up to 10% of their workforce on “zero hour” contracts leaving them without any control over their working lives. 

PAME denounces the attempts to criminalise trade union action in Italy

In a statement the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) stresses out: 

In Italy the USB and Si Cobas unions are facing a 350-page indictment by the Piagenza Public Prosecutor’s Office in which the unions and trade unionists are accused of “crimes” such as picketing strikes, protests and mobilisations in the logistics sector. 

On the basis of this indictment, a police operation has been carried out since this morning with searches of trade unionists’ homes and the arrest of 4 USB trade unionists.

Solidarity with Roofers Local 36 of Los Angeles, USA and Cliff Smith

In a statement, the All-Workers’ Militant Front (PAME) expresses the solidarity of the class unions of Greece with the Roofers Local 36 of Los Angeles, USA and the unionist Cliff Smith who are being threatened and blackmailed for leading the struggles and mobilizations for the rights of the working class in their region:

To Cliff Smith
Roofers Local 36 Business Manager
To Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers

Greece: Trade unionists, KKE cadres arrested by police because they protested against NATO!

On Wednesday 6th April, Greek riot police forces launched an unprovoked attack against workers and students in the port of Thessaloniki, during a large strike rally that was held in the country's second largest city.

The demonstrators tried to approach the port's gate in order to protest for the presence of a NATO ship that transfers military equipment towards Eastern Europe. 

18th WFTU Congress to be held in Rome on 6-8 May 2022

In a statement, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) has announced that its 18th Congress will take place in Rome on 6-8 May 2022. More specifically, the statement points out:

The WFTU Presidential Council which met on 1&2 February 2022 announced the organization of the 18th World Trade Union Congress in Rome, Italy, on 6, 7 and 8 of May 2022, under the slogan: “United, we continue! For the satisfaction of our contemporary needs, against imperialist-capitalist barbarity!”

Greece: Thousands delivery workers rallied against "e-food" blackmails

Thousands food-delivery workers held massive moto-protests in Athens, Thessaloniki and other cities all over Greece demanding Jobs with rights and permanent contracts against the threats and blackmails of the company "e-food" (subsidiary of the German multinational "Delivery Hero") which threatened the workers with a text to their phones either to accept becoming a “freelancer” or to be fired by not renewing the three-month contracts.

Italian USB trade union slams the new Draghi government

The Italian trade union USB (Unione Sindacale di Base) has released a statement condemning the formation of the new government under the leadership of former banker Mario Draghi. 

The USB statement reads:

The national coordinations of the categories of the Unione Sindacale di Base met on Saturday 13 February 2021. This is the note unanimously approved.

Greek government escalates oppression, intimidation and prosecutions against the workers struggles

Statement by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) concerning the latest anti-people, anti-worker policies initiated, amidst the pandemic, by the conservative New Democracy (ND) government:

 “…Because for me,the most surprising,
the most imposing, the most mysterious and grandiose
Is a man not allowed to walk;
A man who’s being shackled”

- Nazim Hikmet.

With the “demonstrations’ management” plan, the Greek government is running to prevent the popular anger and outrage that is piling up and growing.

Italy's Unione Sindacale di Base (USB): Ten years of class-oriented, independent and internationalist activity

This year marks the 10th founding anniversary of Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), Italy's independent, class-oriented trade union. In a message for the 10th anniversary the USB points out: 

"We could not celebrate together the tenth anniversary of USB, we do it now with this video that traces some important moments of our existence.

From the first congress, that of the unification between RdB and Sdl Intercategoriale, to date, thousands of initiatives, struggles, conferences, participation in international events have marked our first ten years.

Mass protests by trade unions throughout Greece: Struggle against anti-people measures and repression

Thousands of people participated in the nationwide demonstrations organized by trade unions affiliated with PAME in Athens, Thessaloniki and other Greek cities on Tuesday 13th October. 

 

Workers, self-employed people, unemployed men and women, students and pensioners sent a powerful message of unyielding collective struggle against anti-worker measures and repression. 

In Athens' Syntagma Square, thousands of protesters demanded protection measures for the people's lifes and rights, including the shielding of hospitals and the public health system, the need for hiring more teachers and cleaning staff in public schools, cheap and safe public transport, policies against unemployment and dismissals, collective agreements and strengthening of the labor rights.

Solidarity with the struggle of the workers and people in the USA - Statements by WFTU, PAME

Responding to the news of the racist murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) issued the following statement on May 30th:

The World Federation of Trade Unions expresses its solidarity and internationalism to the workers and unemployed of the USA.

We demand the immediate end of racist violence and state authoritarianism of the US government, which kills innocent citizens and protesters.

Coronavirus: Workers’ lives and health cannot be put under the criterion of profit

Common Position Of European Trade Unions On The Developments Because Of The Coronavirus

We Fight To Protect The Health And Lives Of Workers

The unions that we sign this text we salute the heroic contribution of workers, scientists in Healthcare, hospitals, sanitation and a series of other services who under, even life-threatening conditions, exhaustion, under-staffed and unprepared prevention systems, fight for the protection of the lives of the workers, of all the people.