Pan-American Solidarity
Many Latino/a workers or their descendants immigrated to the U.S. as the direct or indirect result of U.S. labor and foreign policy. During the 70s and 80s, U.S. backed coups in countries across South America brought political exiles to North America. At the same time, U.S. funded guerilla groups in Central America created lasting instability that continues to fuel immigration to the US. Likewise, the status of Puerto Rico as a colonial territory continues to fuel immigration to the mainland.
Because of this history and the close ties many of our members maintain with countries in Latin America, showing solidarity with trade unionists is across the continent is an important tenet of LCLAA’s mission.
Most recently, LCLAA has shown solidarity with Latin American communities by volunteering to re-build Puerto Rican communities devastated by hurricanes, and by collaborating with Colombian trade unionists in support of their national strike movement. Read on to learn more about our work.
Solidarity with
Puerto Rican Workers
As an unincorporated territory of the US, Puerto Rico is denied many of the rights afforded to states—and it’s resident’s pay the cost. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens who pay federal taxes, but they do not have voting representatives in U.S. Congress and are often denied eligibility for federal relief programs. The island has also been denied critical crisis relief assistance in times of natural disaster, including in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in 2017. Finally, Puerto Rico faces an ongoing debt crisis has limited the territorial government’s ability to pay public workers and maintain public services.
In the face of these challenges, LCLAA is committed to advocating for dignified conditions for Puerto Rican workers, whether on the island or the mainland. For example, we are currently advocating for the expansion of federal programs like the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to include residents of Puerto Rico. To learn more about LCLAA’s work with the Boricua community, read our recent report on Puerto Rican challenges.
LCLAA members help rebuild Puerto Rican communities after Hurricane Maria
LCLAA has also helped provide relief to impacted communities. During its 21st National Convention, held in San Juan, PR, LCLAA members traveled to several communities, helping to rebuild homes and schools.
Mexico and Central America
In recent decades, LCLAA leaders have participated in several solidarity activities in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Central America (Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador). LCLAA has always advocated to ensure that trade agreements respect the rights of workers in all countries and do not enable exploitation at the expense of labor and environmental standards and rule of law.
LOS ANGELES, JAN 31, 2022 - LCLAA members no matter the distance will make sure to join other members in the fight for representation among the million-dollar companies that exploit their workers. LCLAA members along with other local unions in the U.S went to Silao, Guanajuato to support and stand in solidarity with workers during their historic vote at GM. SINTTIA is a union that was founded recently last year in Siloa, Guanajuato. Their goal is to symbolize GM people and negotiate a brand new collective employment agreement. This year SINTTIA has the opportunity to set a labor democracy in Mexico, which is why LCLAA is beside them making sure they represent the thousands of workers whose voices have been shut down in the past year by corrupt and unjust elections.
LOS ANGELES CHAPTER STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH WORKERS IN MEXICO
Rosaba Gómez of CUT Colombia speaks at the 23rd National Convention
Solidarity with Colombian Workers
In April 2021, millions of Colombian workers participated in a national strike to protest a regressive tax reform and express their discontent with inequality and state violence. When the Colombian government responded to the strike with violent repression, thousands of protesters were, injured, arbitrarily detained, or even killed. LCLAA has persistently supported Colombian workers in their struggles and spoken out against human rights abuses and gender-based violence.
Most recently, LCLAA invited a representative of the Colombian Trade Union Federation (CUT) to speak at our 23rd National Membership Convention in August 2021. LCLAA officers and board members have also participated in several virtual delegations and discussion panels with Colombian labor activists, often with the support of global union federations (GUFs).
Listen to the Solidarity Center’s recent podcast on the protests to learn more.
The Solidarity Center Podcast covers workers issues around the world
Trade Union Confederation
of The Americas (TUCA)
LCLAA National President Yanira Merino participates in the Trade Union Confederation of the America’s (TUCA) Committee of Women Workers. The Committee has been active in promoting women’s rights, equal pay for equal work, and women’s participation in the labor movement.
In addition, it has been an ardent advocate for International Labor Convention No. 190 (ILO C190), which addresses sexual violence and harassment in the workplace.
See What We’re Saying
Read our latest statements supporting our brothers and sisters across the Americas.