Transcript Congress Joint Women’s Committee Biennial Conference

Global Solidarity Forum 27/28
August 2010 ASTI
Solidarity with the trade unions in
Palestine and Congress’ BDS
campaign
How to develop Congress’ BDS
Campaign and BDS work in our
unions?
Congress BDS Campaign
• In 2007 an Irish Trade
Union delegation paid
a visit to Israel and
Palestine.
• Result of 2 motions on
the subject at our 2007
Biennial Delegate
Conference
Report Conclusion:
“The boycott position of ICTU has been explicitly commended and
welcomed by almost all the representatives of Palestinian trade unions
and human rights groups that we met. It was evident to the delegation
that some of those we met were more constrained in their comments on
any boycott, because of political sensitivities. Nevertheless the very
clear message that we received was that the position adopted by
Congress was strongly supported and welcomed.”
Report Recommendation:
“To support and promote a boycott campaign
of Israeli goods and services and a policy of
disinvestment from Israeli companies as a means of
encouraging the Israeli government to comply with
International Law and to cease the human rights
violations of the Palestinian people.”
Dublin Castle Conference
Campaign Planning Group
• Ann Speed, Siptu
• Brian Campfield
Nipsa
• Noirin Greene, Unite
• Jack O Connor,
Congress President;
• John Douglas,
Mandate;
• Patricia McKeown,
Unison;
• Peter McLoone
• Congress
Secretariate
Campaign Plans
• Liaison with:
• Trade Union Friends
of Palestine;
• Solidarity Groups –
Sadaka and Irish
Palestine Solidarity
Campaign
BDS Campaign Components:
• background document
• consumer facing document – a much
shorter version 2 sides of A5;
• viral ad promoting the campaign;
• training session for union activists on the
campaign in October
Background document
•
•
•
•
The Origins of Congress Policy
The Global BDS Campaign
Support from Unions globally
Why Congress Supports BDS
– (I) ‘Security Fence’ or Apartheid Wall?
– (ii) Denial of livelihoods
– (iii) Operation Cast Lead
– (iv) Working Conditions
• A Consumer-led Boycott
Strong Imagery
Consumer leaflet
• The Boycott, Divestments and
Sanctions campaign (BDS) is wholly
supported by Congress and its
members.
• Highlight abuses
• Parallels with Apartheid regime
Leaflet ctd
How can I help?
Don’t buy Israeli products..
We believe union members can play a
key role in this campaign, in terms of
raising awareness and in spreading the
message amongst workplace colleagues.
Full list of products go to
www.bdsmovement.net
Information on Congress Campaign…
Viral Ad
• Intercutting still images to make a flash animation and
a web button on homepage link to a bds campaign page
• And / or short video: web button on www.ictu.ie linked
to a campaign page. Voiceover from..?
Training
• Training session for
activists
• Tailored for individual
unions
• Involve TUFP and
Solidarity Groups