WHEREAS:

As in Central America, U.S. credibility has virtually collapsed throughout the Caribbean under the Reagan Administration; and

WHEREAS:

Because of their strategic proximity, the 28 nations and colonies of the Caribbean are vital to the struggle for peace and justice in Central America; and

WHEREAS:

The Grenadian trade union movement, which once represented 80% of the work force is now a primary target of government repression. Unemployment which was at about 10% on the eve of the U.S. invasion, had soared again to 40% by mid-1985; and

WHEREAS:

In Haiti, the Reagan Administration has refused to acknowledge the unconstitutional and undemocratic system of elections and has perpetuated "Duvalierism without Duvalier"; and

WHEREAS:

U.S. military aid to Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Eastern Caribbean skyrocketed from $3.6 million in 1980 and $21 million in 1986; and

WHEREAS:

U.S. policy in the Caribbean has shifted dramatically toward militarization and political intimidation at the expense of promoting economic self-reliance in the region; and

WHEREAS:

U.S. policy in the Caribbean since 1981 has created a more repressive climate throughout the region. Human rights and workers' rights increasingly have been curtailed and violated; wage controls have been imposed unilaterally while the buying power of the poor has been drastically reduced due to price inflation and currency devaluations; and unemployment ranges from 20% to 50%.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will oppose all Administration efforts to militarize the Caribbean region as an extension of its Central American policy; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME calls upon the U.S. Congress to introduce legislation that conditions U.S. aid towards favorable import and trade with the Caribbean nations based an equal relations, as well as support for human and trade union rights.

SUBMITTED BY:

Cliff Fried, President
Michael Cardoza, Secretary-Treasurer
Peter Goodman, Vice-President
Gary Potwin, Recording-Secretary
Glen Omatsu, Member-At-Large
AFSCME Local 3238, Council 10
Oakland, California