[Marxism] GUADELOUPE United General Strike Since January 20, 2009

[Max Clark]

All-- Big tings a gwan! Haven't seen anything here yet on the situation detailed below. Also, my first post on this list. The very best --Max Clark

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Subject: FYI: GUADELOUPE United General Strike Since January 20, 2009

(Contributed by B. Ross Ashley)

A collective of 47 organizations constituted at the initiative of the UGTG trade union confederation has established a platform of 120 demands

Since January 20, 2009, Guadeloupe has been paralyzed by a general strike called by a collective of 47 organizations constituted at the initiative of the UGTG (the biggest union confederation), which has brought together all the workers and peasants unions, as well as political parties. This collective has established a platform of 120 demands "against over-exploitation."

Guadeloupe has been ravaged by the capitalist crisis, which is aggravated by the colonial domination of the French state. To give one example: A liter of gasoline is 50% more expensive than in the mainland because of the special taxes established by the French state, which implements the EU directives.

On December 16 and 17, 2008, mobilizations took place. It was after this that the collective called for a general strike beginning on January 20 because the demands were not met. Obviously, the strike has tapped into the aspirations of the workers faced with the same policies and offers the path of struggle for unity around this platform of demands.

This mobilization in a Caribbean island on the American continent joined the deep movement of workers and peasant masses of Latin America and the Caribbean in their struggle against the neo-colonial oppression. It is no coincidence that, at the rally held on Saturday January 24 in the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre, one of the most applauded messages was sent by the union and political organizations of Haiti, including the Autonomous Confederation of Haitian Workers (CATH), which said: "We give our support to the fight you are organizing in your country for change, for the decline in the price of gasoline at the pump and against the precariousness of wages. This struggle is that of all the peoples of the Caribbean and that of our country, Haiti, a country ravaged by American capitalism and French colonialism... "
As stated by the Secretary General of the UGTG, Elie Domota, "The UGTG is not the only organization involved. We felt it necessary to go all the way by inviting all political and cultural organizations to struggle alongside the workers."

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The platform of the collective of 47 organizations formed at the initiative of the UGTG (excerpts)

- The immediate drop of 50 cents in fuel prices.
- The decline in prices of all essential goods and all taxes.
- An increase in the minimum wage to 200 euros.
- The decline in the price of water and transport of passengers.
- Contracts for all precarious workers, public and private (...).
- The development of production to meet the needs of the population.
- The right to education and training for youth and workers of our country.
- Priority in hiring and positions of responsibility for Guadeloupeans and end of racism in hiring (...).
- Freezing rents for an indefinite period and for the year 2009, canceling the increase of 2.98%.
- Set aside 50,000 hectares of agricultural area as a protected agricultural zone and setting up a committee for its annaul evaluation.
- Exemption from taxes for the benefit of farmers throughout the country.
- Representation of trade unions in Guadeloupe in all companies and joint bodies (ASSEDIC, Social Security, CAF, AGEFOS, SME, Fong, CIF ...).
- Commencement of proceedings for the reconstruction of the hospital.
- The urgent development of transport networks Š
- Taking into account in the media the language and culture Guadeloupe through the presence of representatives of cultural associations in the boardroom (...).
ADIM - AFOC - AGPIHM - Akiyo - AN BOUT'AY - ANG - ANKA - ASSE - ASS. Farmers in northern Basse-Terre - Ass. Liberty, Equality, Justice - CFTC - CGTG - CNL - Combat ouvrier - Water Committee - Convention for a new Guadeloupe - COPAGUA - CSFG - CTU - Espérance environment - Faena SNCL - FOR - FSU - GIE SBT - Kamodjaka - KAP Gwadloup - The Greens - MADIC - MAS KA KLE - Mouvman NONM - PCG - SGEP / SNEC / CFTC - SOS Low-Earth environment - SPEG - SUD PTT GWA - SUNICAG - SYMPA CFDT - travay é Peyizan - UDCLCV - UIR CFDT - UNSA - UGTG - UPG - UPLG - UMPG - VOUKOUM.
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APPEAL by the UGTG to the International Democratic and Workers' Movements

Dear comrades, dear friends,

The French colonial power is preparing to punish the workers, youth, and people of Guadeloupe and their organizations.
In response to the call of 47 trade unions, political organizations, consumer associations, popular cultural associations, a general strike began on January 20, 2009 ..., and a march was attended by more than 25,000 people in streets of Pointe-à-Pitre.

In the platform of demands to the employers, the elected representatives of the State, the workers and people demand, among other things:

- The immediate increase in wages, pensions, and social benefits. In Guadeloupe over 100,000 people live below the poverty line in a population of about 450,000 inhabitants;
- Defense and the creation of jobs, including training for youth;
- Defense and the development of production;
- The protection and improvement of union rights;
- The drop in rents.

The bosses and elected officials have already expressed their desire not to meet the demands even before opening negotiations..

They want the workers to "be reasonable and to return to work."
The employers will start a lockout, aiming to push people toward confrontations and then ask the colonial power to suppress them. Thus, several hundred members of law enforcement arrived in Guadeloupe a few days ago, armed to the teeth.

Dear comrades, dear friends,

This situation was seen in May 1967, when the French government killed more than 100 Guadeloupeans in response to a strike in the building trades. Always the same thing: they asked the striking workers to be reasonable, to return to work.

On behalf of the rights of workers and the people of Guadeloupe to fight for their legitimate demands, we call for international solidarity.

Pointe-à-Pitre, on January 26, 2009

signed/

Elie Domota
Secretary-General,
UGTG

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Send your messages to:

Collectif des 47 organisations
UGTG, Rue Paul Lacavé 97 110 Point-à-Pitre Guadeloupe
Fax : International : 00 335 90 89 08 70
France : 05 90 89 08 70
Email : ugtg at wanadoo.fr

With a copy to:

Préfet de Guadeloupe
Rue Lardenoy 97 100 Basse Terre
Fax :
International : 00 335 90 81 58 32
France : 05 90 81 58 32

M. Yves Jego Secrétaire d'Etat chargé de l'Outre-Mer
27, Rue Oudinot 75 007 Paris
Fax :
International : 00 331 53 69 28 04
France : 01 53 69 28 04