Congressional Letter Addressing Worker Rights Violations
and Violence in Guatemala Needs Support Wednesday and Thursday, July 8-9
A U.S. congressional letter to Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom needs support now from other members of Congress.
The letter, initiated by Rep. Linda Sanchez,
D-CA, urges President Colom to address worker rights violations and
violence against trade unionists, issues that were raised in a CAFTA
(Central America Free Trade Agreement) complaint filed last year by the
AFL-CIO and six Guatemalan unions. The letter is scheduled to be sent end of day July 9; additional congressional signatures are needed Wednesday and Thursday, July 8-9.
Call the office of your Representative (directly or
through the Capitol switchboard, 202.224.3121). Ask to speak to the
aide who handles foreign policy. Urge that your representative support
worker rights and oppose violence against trade unionists in Guatemala
by signing the congressional letter to Guatemalan President Alvaro
Colom that has been initiated by Rep. Linda Sanchez.
Talking Points: Remind the aide that Guatemala is now
the second most dangerous country in Latin America to be a trade
unionist. Note that even the Bush Administration agreed with the
substance of the violations listed in the CAFTA labor complaint filed
by the AFL-CIO (available on the USLEAP website). Add that the letter
is scheduled to be closed July 9. Ask the aide to contact Celeste Drake
(202.225.6676 or celeste.drake@mail.house.gov)
in Rep. Sanchez's office to sign on or for more information. If the
aide asks questions you cannot answer, contact USLEAP for additional
information at 773.262.6502 or Lupita Aguila (laguila@usleap.org) or check the USLEAP website for background information.