Another move foreward in building solidarity has been achieved. Below is a resolution passed by Wolverhampton Local Government UNISON Branch.

VSC thanks them for their continued support.

Building solidarity with Venezuela

Conference congratulates and supports the Venezuelan Government for its utilisation of the country's wealth and resources for reforms to benefit working people, the poor and the landless.

Conference notes the results of the referendum in August 2004 in Venezuela that gave President Hugo Chávez an overwhelming victory and a strengthened democratic mandate. This followed continuing and overwhelming democratic support at numerous elections.

Conference notes that these results confirm that there is overwhelming support among working people and the poor for the social programme of the Chávez Government in relation to education, literacy, job training, healthcare, land reform and subsidised food.

Conference recognises that to make social and economic progress Venezuela is:

A) Employing 10,000s of both Cuban and Venezuelan doctors to provide free Health care for the poorest 80%, for the first time ever.

B) Encouraging independent trade unions and worker co-operatives.

C) Undertaking a massive house-building project aimed at ridding the existence of the slums that millions live in.

D) Successful in eliminating illiteracy.

E) Outlawed all discrimination.

F) Investing in developing universal free health and education.

G) Redistributing land.

However, Conference views with alarm the bellicose statements being made by the US Administration and its allies in Colombia and the oligarchy in Venezuela which pose a real threat to these reforms.

Conference deplores the attempts of the United States Administration to intervene in the internal life of Venezuela and agrees to raise these concerns with the British Government. Union Branch expresses its solidarity with trade unionists in Venezuela and rejects any outside interference in their affairs.

Conference notes that the anti-democratic and illegal actions of the opposition, whilst little carried in the mainstream media, is shown dramatically in the award winning DVD the Revolution Will Not be Televised. Conference notes the distribution difficulties and encourages the widest possible publicity of this and Venezuela solidarity in general.

Conference notes that 3 organisations have been created in Britain to promote solidarity. These are the global HoV campaign, Venezuela Solidarity Campaign and the recently created Venezuela Information Centre (VIC). Conference notes that each of these have addressed different aspect of solidarity, worked positively on a range of initiatives and are all continuing to build solidarity and raise the profile of Venezuela in a range of areas. These include delegations, literature, public meetings, DVD distribution, press campaigns, web sites, supporter databases, meetings with MP's, Mayor of London etc.

Conference notes that many regional and national trade unions have affiliated and supported the campaign groups. Conference further notes that the TUC Congress of September 2005 agreed unanimously to promote solidarity.

Therefore conference agrees to:

Support wider trade union and solidarity campaign initiatives to highlight the issue of Venezuela within the British labour movement.

Conference agrees to promote solidarity with the trade unionists of Venezuela, work wherever possible and practicable with trade union backed Venezuela solidarity campaigns.

Conference agrees to promote wherever appropriate, campaign material to branches and activists

Discuss with Venezuelan counterparts UNT, and investigate a delegation.

Publicise campaigns to Branches and encourage affiliation and support.