US-Cuba agreement means closer trade union relations, says ITF

ITF President Paddy Crumlin welcomed the agreement saying; "This is a historic decision that reflects the determination of the ITF's last two Congresses – our commitment to promoting cooperation and engagement with Cuba to develop the needs and give protections to all international Transport Workers, and now we are planning further fraternal contacts and visits.The ITF has been sensitive to the long historical circumstances behind the break down in relations with Cuba however the opportunity to secure a new relationship based on peace, mutual respect and increased accountability has to be welcomed by all international trade unionists."

Over the past few years ITF fraternal contacts with Cuban unions have seen a high-level mission including the General Secretary David Cockroft , President Paddy Crumlin and the late Bob Crow and Regional Secretary Antonio Fritz  after the decision by the ITF Executive Board, attendance of Cuban colleagues at an ITF Executive Board and sectorial contacts - including an aviation meeting held in Havana.

"We've spoken personally to our transport union colleagues in Cuba who have invited the ITF to send further delegations to explore how we  can develop our relations in the ITF family" added the ITF's Latin American Regional Secretary Antonio Fritz.

The prisoner release in the US followed an international campaign  to release the 5 Cubans who were imprisoned in 2001 . ITF-affiliated unions in Europe and US –  by UNITE in the UK and including the Teamsters and the SEIU in the US - joined the campaign to raise the issue directly with the US Government and similarly to pursue Mr  Gross's release.

See also: http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/unite-hails-the-release-of-the-remaining-members-of-the-miami-five/