Considering that: from every corner of the globe, we hear the same message from governments and the multinational corporations they serve; it is working people who must relinquish their jobs, social protection sand most important, their independent trade unions to permit global capital’s “free trade” agenda to move forward. It is we who in the name of “modernization” and “globalization” must forfeit all the gains we have won over decades of struggle.

Considering that: the existence of international rights – particularly the right to collective bargaining and the right to strike – are considered barriers to “free trade.” Indeed the traditional trade union, we are told, is not suitable for the workplace of the new millennium insofar as it said to “hamper” a corporation’s ability to compete in the global economy.

Considering that: when we remain strong despite the countless efforts by the employers and the government to restrict, suppress and even bust unions, employers and governments try to integrate us into their plans. Under the pretense of making us their “associates” and “partners,” they deploy all sorts of schemes to undermine collective bargaining and to roll back our rights and working conditions. They hold out the promise of toothless “side agreements,” and seek to incorporate our leaderships into “Social Pacts” and “Round Table Agreements” with the very governments and bosses that are dismantling our jobs, devastating our working conditions and attacking our very unions.

Considering that: global unionism and united international campaigns by workers and their organizations are the first line of defense of workers against the onslaught of global capital.

Considering that: the Open World Conference of Workers in Defense of Trade Union Independence and Democratic Rights has been called by the Western Hemisphere Workers Conference Against NAFTA and Privatization’s Continuations Committee, San Francisco Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and the International Liaison Committee for a Workers International and will take place from January 14 to 17, 2000 in San Francisco, California.

The Organizing Committee for the conference includes among its members Jack Henning, Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus of the California Labor Federation (AFL-CIO); Walter Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer of the San Francisco Labor Council (AFL-CIO); Baldemar Valesquez, president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee AFL-CIO and Nancy Wohlforth, president of the Office Professional Employees International Union Local 3. The conference is endorsed by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and other unions, federations and labor leaders and activists internationally.

Therefore Be It Resolved that Pride At Work endorse the Open World Conference of Workers in Defense of Trade Union Independence and Democratic Rights and encourage participation of our members.

Submitted by: Howard Wallace, San Francisco Bay Area Pride At Work Chapter