World Federation of Trade Unions: Abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere!

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), since the first years of its foundation, has had a clear and plain position against nuclear weapons. During all of its Congresses, decisions asking for the abolition of all nuclear weapons and of all countries have been voted.

Today, we are not only worried about USA’s withdrawal from Iran nuclear agreement but also about yesterday’s Trump unilateral refusal which canceled the scheduled meeting with DPR Korea’s leadership.

This position of the USA and their allies generates new dangers for the wider region and mankind as a whole. The USA, NATO and European Union aim at plundering Third World Countries’ natural resources, strengthening their spheres of influence and tracing new borders. The dangers for the World Peace are grave. The inter-imperialist antagonisms are constantly being exacerbated.

Massacre in Gaza - Israeli forces kill at least 59 Palestinian protesters in Gaza, while the U.S. moves its embassy to Jerusalem

At least 59 Palestinians were killed on Monday, May 14, in the Gaza Strip and more than 2,400 others were wounded as the Israeli army fired live ammunition and tear gas at protesters assembled at five points along the border fence with Israel.

Monday’s demonstrations, held in the context of the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, were the latest in seven weeks of protests calling for the right of return for Palestinian refugees to the areas they were forcibly expelled from in 1948. Since the protests began on March 30, Israeli forces have killed at least 90 Palestinians in the coastal enclave and wounded close to 10,500.

World Federation of Trade Unions: Long Live the May 9th Epopee!

Statement by the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

On May 9, 1945, in occupied Berlin by the Red Army, the Nazis signed their surrender to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, putting an end to World War II or the Great Patriotic War.

World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU): Message for the 1st of May 2018

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) in the name of its more than 92 million affiliates all over the world salutes, on the occasion of this great day, all the workers who live, work and struggle in every corner of the world. May Day was, is and will be a beacon for the struggles of yesterday and tomorrow despite our enemies’ efforts. May Day has to be a message of resistance against bourgeoisie, imperialists and their international alliances’ policies.

At the same time, the workers’ blood which was shed in Chicago on 1886 reminds us of our duty today; it reminds us that nothing is given for free; every right or freedom that was conquered by our class has been won through sacrifices, conflicts and organized struggles.

La France en grève - Solidarity with railway workers against Macron's policies

France is on strike! Thousands workers have been in streets during the last weeks, participating in strikes and mobilizations, protesting against the new "reforms" that the Macron-Philippe government promotes in order to serve the needs of the domestic capital. 

More specifically, the French government launched a lightning war against the railwaymen. It has decided to pass by order (without debate or vote in parliament) a privatization project of the SNCF (the national railway company) and to remove the railway status, conquered by the workers' struggles of the past. Among the Macron government’s plans is to lay off 120,000 public sector workers.

The actual role of the NGOs

WFTU- Article: The NGOs and their role.

The World Federation of Trade Unions, which represents more than 92 million workers in 126 countries on 5 continents, condemns in the most emphatic way the facts that came to light about the British Non-Governmental Organization “Oxfam”. 

According to the revelations, in 2011 the leaders of “Oxfam” were “using” funding for the assistance of the people of Haiti which was affected by the earthquake, to live in luxurious homes and hotels as well as for the trafficking and prostitution of women, including of girls. After the revelation of the events, there were also some others, new revelations that show similar facts within the Red Cross and other NGOs.

Greece: Hands Off from the Trade Unions! Stop persecution against 35 PAME cadres

Hands Off From The Trade Unions

The Syriza Government Continues Suppression And Persecutions Against The Trade Unions And Workers That Do Not Surrender

The SYRIZA government-along with the far-right party ANEL, and ND, after the law for the abolition of the Strike right, it continues the attacks against the trade union organization and the struggles of the workers.

U.S. authorities refused to issue visa to WFTU General Secretary and trade unionist George Mavrikos

George Mavrikos, WFTU General Secretary.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), which represents more than 92 million workers worldwide, publicly denounces the U.S. government which has refused to issue entry visitor visa to the Federation's General Secretary George Mavrikos. 

More specifically, as it has been revealed, the U.S. State Department has classified the WFTU in the "Terrorist Travel" list which refers to terrorist organisations! 

As the statement of the WFTU points out "the stance of the U.S. State Department is anti-democratic and aims to prevent the free trade unionist activity and strengthening of the militant trade unionist movement of the workers in the USA. At the same time it consists an intentional discrimination against the WFTU and its right to exercise its role in the United Nations; a role that exists since 1945". 

PAME: Intervention at the Euro Mediterranean Trade Union Meeting in Marseille (English / Français)

All-Workers Militant Front (PAME-Greece).

Intervention at the Euro Mediterranean Trade Union Meeting held in Marseille, France 14-15/12/2017.

Dear colleagues,

On behalf of PAME (All Workers Militant Front), the class oriented trade unions movement of Greece, I salute today’s, big meeting of the trade unions of South Europe and the Mediterranean. It’s our great pleasure to be here with you, our class brothers the same moment that in Greece the banners of PAME and WFTU are flooding the streets, today December 14, day of big General Strike.

Solidarity with the striking workers at FIAT factory in Serbia

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), which is the militant voice of 92 million workers in 126 countries all over the world, stands firmly by the side of the 2.000 workers of the factory of FIAT Chrysler Automobiles, automobile assembly plant in Kragujevac, Serbia, who are on strike since Tuesday 27 June 2017.

The workers have taken strike action against the intensification of work, which increased after numerous workers were dismissed from the factory, while the factory tries to produce a high number of cars per day. Their main demands also include wage increase and transport allowance.

Microsoft accumulates immense profits, starts layoff of thousands of employees worldwide

The multinational giant Microsoft- despite its immense profits- is laying off more than 3,000 employees, with the cuts falling largely on the company's sales force. The vast majority of layoffs will hit employees located outside the United States, although some will also be in Redmond. Greek Telecommunication & IT Workers Unions has condemned the lay offs:

The Telecommunications & Information Technology Unions of Athens, Thessaloniki, Forthnet and 360 Connect (Vodafone) members of PAME (All-Workers Militant Front) and WFTU (World Federation of Trade Unions) condemn the multinational Microsoft, which announced that it will lay-off 3000-4000 from its sales departments.

"Neither soil, nor water to the murderers of the people": Huge rally against NATO in Thessaloniki

"Neither soil, nor water to the murderers of the people" and "with the workers of all countries, for a world without exploitation, wars and refugees" were the major slogan of the massive anti-imperialist demonstration organised by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) in Thessaloniki. Thousands of protesters of all ages, from all over Greece but also from abroad, joined their voices against imperialism, its wars and interventions. 

Statements by the WFTU and PAME: Solidarity with the bus drivers' strike in Sydney

World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU):

The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing 92 million workers in the 5 continents, expresses its solidarity with Sydney bus drivers who are on strike as a response to the government’s announcement for a privatization program of bus services in the city’s south and inner west.

The privatization plan was announced, despite the fact that the government assured the bus drivers in writing that the bus route will not be privatized. According to the strikers, the privatization will cost the job of 1,200 drivers, will reduce the bus routes and stops and will adversely affect the quality of service and the maintenance of the buses.

WFTU condemns Pizza Hut's vulgar advertisement referring to Palestinian hunger strikers

In a statement the World Federation of Trade Unions condemns the vulgar and unethical advertisement of Pizza Hut referring to the Palestinian hunger strikers.

The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing 92 million workers in the 5 continents, expresses its indignation for the vulgar, unethical campaign of “Pizza Hut” against the Palestinian Hunger Strikers. 

Internationalist solidarity by the WFTU and PAME to the Workers and the People of Turkey

On the occasion of the recent deadly attack in Istanbul, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) issued the following statement of solidarity to the working class of Turkey:

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the WFTU which represents 92 million members in 126 countries of the world, we convey our condolences to the families of the victims in Reina Club in Istanbul.

We express our internationalist solidarity and our support to the militant trade union movement in Turkey and to the Turkish workers. The murder of the 39 people reveals the responsibility of the principals that are killing civilians, innocent and ordinary people. For this situation in Turkey and in Middle East abettors also exist; these are the governments which take advantage of the fundamentalism in order to put in action their plans and their anti-labor policies.

"Long live the international working class!": Closing remarks by George Mavrikos at the 17th World Trade Union Congress

Closing remarks by George Mavrikos, General Secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), at the 17th World Trade Union Congress held in Durban, South Africa. 

Dear friends and militants,

First of all, I want to express my appreciation for the trust you demonstrated towards me by electing me as General Secretary of WFTU. On behalf of PAME and the class-oriented trade union movement of Greece we thank you for your repeated support. With my reelection, I feel an ever greater responsibility towards you and I commit to give all my best efforts to the struggle for the strengthening of the WFTU and the emancipation of the international working class.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Mzwandile Makwayiba elected new President of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

The President of the South African National Education Health & Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU), Cde. Mzwandile Makwayiba elected President of the World Federation of Trade Unions during the recent 17th Congress of WFTU in Durban.

The Secretariat of NEHAWU issued a statement congratulating Cde.Makwayiba: 

The National Education Health & Allied Workers Union [NEHAWU] congratulates its President, Cde Mzwandile Makwayiba for being elected as President of the World Federation of Trade Unions [WFTU] at the 17th Congress held in Durban last week. Cde Makwayiba will be President for the next five years.

His election proves the confidence WFTU has in his leadership capacity and we as NEHAWU, are more than convinced that he will tackle his new responsibility with aplomb. We wish him well in his new duty to service the more than 78 million workers belonging to more than 210 trade union organizations, from 105 countries across all six inhabited continents.

Logistics worker Abdelssalam Eldanf murdered while on strike in Italy - Reactions by Labour Unions

Source: Struggles in Italy.

During the night between September 14 and 15, Abdelssalam Eldanf was killed while he was on strike with other workers in front of the GLS logistic plant in Piacenza. He was crushed by a truck that was trying to force the picket line. According to the workers, the truck driver was ordered to break the picket line by the Chief of Staff at the plant.

A strike had been called against the company contracted to run the plant, the SEAM. The company had fired 37 temporary workers, as well as a group of workers organized with the USB base union, who were actively leading struggles on the workplace. SEAM had previously agreed to re-hire 13 of the workers, but it suddenly rejected the agreement. Therefore, the workers immediately went on strike and blocked the exit of trucks from the plant.

India: Massive nationwide strike against government's assault on public enterprises and workers’ wages and conditions

Yesterday, September 2nd, more than 150 million Indian workers took part in a one-day general strike against Indian Prime Minister Modi’s assaults on public enterprises and workers’ wages and conditions. It is said to be the largest general strike in the country's history, as long as it involved nearly all sectors of the working class including workers from manufacturing, mining, the public sector, transport and other sectors, along with workers in the informal economy.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) issued the following statement regarding the nationwide strike: 

The Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of India congratulates the working class and employees for the most successful general strike all over India on the call of Central Trade Unions.

PAME protest in Athens: Solidarité avec les Militants Travailleurs de France!

Action of Solidarity with the workers of France.

Source: All-Workers Militant Front (PAME).

ATHENS- On Thursday, May 26, a delegation of PAME (All Workers Militant Front), WFTU (World Federation of Trade Unions) and MAS (Militant Students Front) held a protest at the Embassy of France in Athens.

The action aims to express the Solidarity of the workers and the youth of Greece, and of the WFTU, with the Struggle of the workers of France. In a provocative response, the French Embassy refused to meet with the representatives of the Trade Unions, who were “welcomed” by the Embassy’s Head of Security.

The delegation condemned this behavior of the Embassy, which is in accordance with the intimidation tactics and threats of the French Government, aiming to break the militant spirit of the strikers.