The GMB union has passed a motion reaffirming its support of Cuba and opposition to the US blockade. The motion ‘Solidarity with Cuba: Fighting the US Blockade’ was moved during the international debate at the union’s 2021 Digital Congress.
Dean Ismay, a GMB member from Wales and Southwest Region put forward the motion which called on the UK’s third largest trade union to express concern for the return to aggressive “cold war” rhetoric and tightening of the blockade against Cuba by former President Trump. It also called for the GMB to celebrate Cuba’s achievements and to strengthen links between British and Cuban unions.
Dean was one of 31 young trade unionists to take part in the Young Trade Unionist May Day Brigade to Cuba in 2019, where, as he noted in his speech he “had seen first hand the affects the illegal blockade is having on the Cuban people.”
The motion applauded “Cuba’s outstanding international humanitarianism with 65,000 Cuban health professional working in 89 countries and emergency medical brigades providing vital support during natural disasters.”
During a heartfelt speech, Dean said “during the pandemic, Cuba sent medical brigades to over 40 countries and we should commend them for their work during this difficult time.”
The motion was seconded by Paul Bohin from Wales and Southwest Region who added, “Cuba should be treated like everyone else, and we should respect their right to self-determination.”
CSC has 3 GMB regions and 13 affiliated branches, and a total of 534 affiliated trade unions at national, regional and branch level. If your organisation would like to support the campaign against the US blockade by affiliating to the campaign you can find out more here.