WHEREAS:
The United States' shameful involvement in the right-wing coup that overthrew Chile's democratically elected government nearly 13 years ago unleashed a reign of terror by the Pinochet dictatorship — one of whose first acts was the banning of the united labor movement; and
WHEREAS:
Many thousands of trade union leaders and members have been murdered, disappeared, tortured, jailed or forced into exile by the Pinochet dictatorship, and recent U.N. and Organization of American States reports document that the repression continues; and
WHEREAS:
A series of labor decrees by the dictatorship in recent years has included banning collective bargaining and strikes by public employees and generally restricting the rights of all trade unionists; and
WHEREAS:
The Pinochet regime, guided by Reaganomics professors and economists, has devastated social services and public sector programs through privatization, workfare worse than anything contemplated in the U.S. and destruction of the public social security and public education systems; and
WHEREAS:
Despite the continuing repression, Chile's labor movement is attempting to unite in a fight for economic justice and a return to political democracy; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME condemned the United States' involvement in the 1973 coup and has long opposed Pinochet's oppressive policies, calling for an end to both U.S. aid to the government and an end to international lending agency loans.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That this 27th International Convention reiterate its opposition to the Pinochet dictatorship and express its solidarity with Chile's labor movement in its struggle to win human and trade union rights, economic justice and a return to democracy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME call for an end to all forms of foreign aid and loans to the military dictatorship until human and trade union rights are observed and democracy is restored to Chile; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME call on the Reagan Administration to increase pressure on the Pinochet dictatorship for a return to democracy, and that the AFL-CIO and the world labor movement step up their efforts to strengthen the democratic labor movement in Chile so that it may take its rightful place when the dictatorship ends.
SUBMITTED BY:
International Executive Board