Defending Public Services:  Front lines Public Sector Workers from Canada visit Colombia

"Defending Public Services: Canadian and Colombian Workers on the Front Lines" is a joint solidarity project developed by the PSAC, CUPW and CUPE to build solidarity between public sector unionists in the two countries.  Following the successful visit of Colombian Public Sector Workers to Canada in 2004, the Canadian unions accepted the invitation made by our counterparts to visit Colombia and learn first hand about their struggles. As a result, two return visits to Colombia by Canadian public sector workers were organized in 2006.

Canadian delegation of public sector unions meets with Human Rights Lawyers in Bogota July 2006

PSAC, CUPW and CUPE delegation meet with the Union of Workers of the People's Defender Office in November 2006

This exchange enabled 5 members of the PSAC to travel to Colombia, meet with our counterparts and develop a plan for long-term support and solidarity between our unions, including education, capacity-building, communications and networking. 

Delegation presides graduation ceremony for human rights trainees in Cali

The tour profiled the concrete links between what is happening to the public sector in Colombia and the privatization of public services here in Canada.  The first phase of this tour took place in July and included three members of the PSAC: Jeannette Meunier-Mckay, President of the CEIU; Megan Adam, 3rd Vice-President of UEW Local 20147 from Vancouver; and Geoff Ryan, Nunavut Territorial Director for PSAC North. 

Maria Eva Villate accompanies Geoff Ryan, Jeannette Meunier-McKay and Megan Adam to La Maria, indigenous reserve attacked by the National Police in May 2006

They were accompanied by union representatives from the CUPW, CUPE (HEU) and the BCGEU.  

The second phase took place in November and included two members from the Atlantic region, Kevin Marchand, Vice president of PSAC local 80409 (UNDE) and Maria Makhan from the Agriculture Component.  The PSAC members were accompanied by CUPW and CUPE members from the Atlantic region and Manitoba.

Kevin Marchand and Maria Makhan with Juan Diego Gomez, coordinator for the Public Service International in Colombia

During these visits, Colombian workers shared their experiences with their Canadian union counterparts about the privatization of postal and health systems, municipal services, comptrollers, telecommunications and universities as well as the cutback in the Federal public service.  Thousands of workers have lost their jobs and services have become harder to access. More government-provided public services are slated for sale to private, frequently foreign-owned 
companies.

Currently, Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world in which to be a trade unionist, journalist or educator. Thousands have been killed and many continue to be assassinated for their efforts to expose corruption and oppose privatization.

Geoff Ryan looks on as villagers clear the land from tear gas canisters

Canadian participants heard about government using violence to transform Colombian society to service the global market.  Millions have been displaced from their homes and lands, and insecurity grips the whole society.

Delegation joins the march against privatization in Medellin

At the end of their visit, the Canadian trade unionists returned home even more committed to defend quality public services at home, while taking action to support their counterparts in Colombia.

PSAC SJF Funding: $25,000
Co-funded with CUPW and CUPE, July and November 2006.