Union Struggles Against Privatization

We invite you to join a lunch discussion on a monumental struggle being waged by labor and other social movements in El Salvador to halt U.S.-imposed and pro-corporate legislation to privatize public services.

Speakers: 

Jamie Rivera, Organizing Secretary for the Electrical Sector Workers Union of El Salvador (STSEL) and representative to the Central American Join Labor Platform (PSCC)

John Duffy, National Vice President, Utility Workers Union of America

Darcey O'Callaghan, International Policy Director, Food and Water Watch

Background:

The Electrical Workers' Union of El Salvador and the Public Employees Union Federation of El Salvador (FESTRASPES) are mobilizing to defend the last remaining public utilities in the country. After nearly a decade of successful union organizing to stop privatization in El Salvador, the U.S. State Department is heavily pressuring the Salvadorian government to adopt a "Public-Private Partnerships" law. The proposed law would sell off critical public services- including the ports, airports, municipal and government services, higher education and more- to transnational corporations through 40-year concessions with no guarantees for workers' rights. 

The struggle against privatization is international, and unions and social movements have made considerable progress in recent years. At this meeting, you will hear how unions and communities are reclaiming key services and advancing 'public public partnerships' around the world, particularly in water, sanitation and energy.  

The discussion will also consider ways that unions can advance 'energy democracy' in the United States as a means of countering the threat to our democracy and our environment posted by many of the large energy corporations.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, Febuary 7, 2013 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm

Location: Cornell ILR Conference Center, 16 East 34th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY (between 5th and Madison Avenues)

Lunch will be provided.

The discussion is being co-organized by: The Utility Workers Union of America; Public Services International; Labor Council for Latin American Advancement- New York Chapter (LCLAA); Food and Water Watch; Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES); and the Cornell Global Labor Institute, a program of the Worker Institute at Cornell.

RSVP to Jill Kubit at jk356@cornell.edu