Honduras’s three principal labor centrals, the Unitary Confederation of Honduran Workers (CUTH), the General Workers Central (CGT), and the Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH) began an open-ended national strike on 6 August 2009.

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Communiqué

The three workers confederations of Honduras, CUTH, CGT, and CTH address the critical political situation that prevails in our country as product of the coup d’état that threw out of the presidency Mr. Manuel Zelaya Rosales, legitimately elected by the Honduran people in free elections that took place in November 2005.

This not a personal problem, it’s about the business sector and the vested interests who have generated a struggle between classes because of the social measures sponsored by the deposed government.

Facing this situation, our organizations condemn these acts and we do not recognize the so-called authorities of a dictatorial and de facto government.

We demand that all the governments of the world, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, and USAID withdraw all the official support and freeze loans to and projects of this coup government, imposed by the arms, which has created an atmosphere of repression and violence.  We make an exception with regard to that support which goes directly to the people and organizations.

We also demand that the OAS and the UN maintain and strengthen the resolutions to repudiate this fascist government, product of the force of arms, and withdraw all support.

We ask the government of the United States to proceed to cancel the bank accounts and visas of all those persons involved in the coup, to freeze planned aid, and to withdraw diplomatic representation, as long as institutional order is not re-established with the return of Jose Manuel Zelaya to the presidency of the republic.

For all the reasons mentioned above, the CUTH, the CGT, and the CTH call all their member organizations to an open-ended national strike beginning on Thursday, August 6 of 2009, until the restitution of institutional order and the return of Jose Manuel Zelaya to the presidency of the republic.

Our organizations must remain alert and support the patriotic march to the cities of San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa.

DEMANDS

1. The reestablishment of the democratic institutional order
2. The return of Mr. Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales to the presidency of the Republic
3. The installation in Honduras of a Constituent National Assembly
4. The end to the repression against the Honduran people.

ONLY UNITED WILL WE BE VICTORIOUS / HASTA LA VICTORIA SIEMPRE

Tegucigalpa, Morazán Central District, August 4, 2009

National Executive Councils
CUTH  CGT  CTH

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STATEMENT OF U.S.WORKERS UNIONS

August 5, 2009

Dear Member of Congress:

We join with the international community and the international trade union movement in condemning the coup in Honduras.  We urge you to do so also by cosponsoring H. Res. 630.  While the U.S. trade union movement has important issues pending before the U.S. Congress that impact our members more directly, we hope you will take a stand for democracy and against the coup.

The resolution, introduced by Rep. William Delahunt (D-MA), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Rep. José Serrano (D-NY), condemns the coup, supports reinstatement of democratically-elected President Zelaya, urges the Administration to maintain pressure on the coup leaders, and backs international observation of elections that are currently scheduled for November 2009.

Honduran trade unions have roundly condemned the coup and are helping lead protests in Honduras against the coup.  International and regional trade union organizations have also condemned the coup and support the reinstatement of President Zelaya.  So have the AFL-CIO, SEIU, Steelworkers and other U.S. unions.

We are gravely concerned about violence against civilians who have protested the coup, the suspension of basic rights, including freedom of association, and the military takeover of radio and television stations.  The continuing intransigence of the de facto government coupled with strong resistance to the coup within Honduras is creating the potential for further violence.

The last coup in Central America was in 1993.  Coups in Latin America belong in the past.  If this coup is not reversed, it will have dire consequences for democracy and stability in the region, as well as for rule of law, democracy, and stability in Honduras itself.

Congress should demonstrate its strong opposition to the coup and its support for democracy in Latin America.  Please cosponsor H. Res. 630.

Sincerely,

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)
International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
UNITE HERE
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE)
United Steelworkers (USW)

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