Sally Hunt, General Secretary of the UCU, speaking on behalf of the TUC which represents 7 million trade unionists, added:
“Congress, the TUC shares concerns about the coup in Honduras, which is an attack on democracy, a threat to the whole region, and a particular attack on trade union rights. We are in close contact already with the ITUC Americas Region which has been co-ordinating international solidarity, and we have responded to every request from the trade union movement in Honduras for solidarity action. We have raised concerns directly with the UK Foreign Office, and made clear to them the TUC’s view that only concerted and resolute action by the international community will – as we must – restore democracy to Honduras. We will continue to work with affiliates, with campaign groups in Britain and with the international trade union movement. But most importantly, we will continue to work in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Honduras to restore the freedoms that the coup was designed to take away.”Speaking in the International debate, Chris Murphy, UCATT Executive Council member for London and the South East, explained that our ongoing solidarity was essential, arguing that: “Make no mistake, if trade unionists and other progressive people around the world don’t take a stand now and say that military interference in politics is not acceptable, then the same kind of thugs that have overturned Honduran democracy will try to do it against progressive governments across Latin America."
The issue was also raised by Steve Davison, Vice-Chair of the Unite the Union Executive Council – Britian’s largest union - during a further debate about Colombia. Referring to how “recent actions by the elected Honduras President to address poverty led to a military coup,” he argued solidarity with democracy and social progress in Latin America, and opposition to external intervention, was more important than ever.
