At the AFL-CIO Congress, trade unions discussed responses to global challenges
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The 30th Constitutional Convention of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) took place in Minneapolis, USA, bringing together thousands of trade union leaders and activists from around the world. The forum was held under the banner of strengthening the unity of the labour movement amid growing authoritarian trends, attacks on workers’ rights, and profound changes in the labour market.
At the convention, delegates discussed strategies for expanding union membership, defending workers’ rights, responding to the consequences of artificial intelligence and new technologies, and strengthening international solidarity. Particular attention was given to the role of trade unions in defending democratic values and civil liberties.
One of the main events was the re-election of Liz Shuler and Fred Redmond as President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO. In their speeches, the federation’s leadership stressed that the trade union movement must not only defend labour rights, but also act as an important public force in the struggle against inequality, discrimination, and authoritarian practices.
An international symposium devoted to global challenges facing trade unions also took place as part of the convention. Participants discussed the experience of different countries in resisting pressure on independent trade unions, defending freedom of association, and supporting workers in times of political crisis.
"For the Belarusian independent trade union movement, such international platforms are of particular importance. They make it possible to keep the attention of the global trade union community focused on the situation in Belarus, where independent trade unions have been liquidated by the authorities and dozens of trade union activists have gone through prison and persecution", says Deputy Chairman of the BKDP Siarhei Antusevich.
During the convention, words of support for Belarusian trade unionists and their struggle for freedom of association and workers’ rights were voiced more than once. Clearly, the Mini-Kirkland Award ceremony for the BKDP and the Minnesota labour movement did a great deal to draw attention to the issue. But the subject of Belarus’s independent trade unions was raised several more times at different events during the convention.
The struggle of Belarus’s independent trade unions was also highlighted by AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond at a trade union event held at the Minnesota Vikings stadium.
Participants in the forum repeatedly stressed that, in the face of today’s challenges — from automation and artificial intelligence to political repression and social inequality — international trade union solidarity remains one of the main tools for defending human rights and decent work.
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