Rescue of Chilean Miners a ‘Rare Blessing’
At 12:11 a.m., Florencio Avalos, the first of 33 miners trapped for 69 days in Chile’s San Jose mine, emerged to the embrace of his family and friends. And workers, especially those who work deep in the earth in mines, let out a cheer and a deep sigh of relief. The rescue effort to free the miners, who have been in the Atacama Desert mine since Aug. 5, is going like clockwork, according to the Associated Press.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, a third-generation coal miner himself, watched the rescue at the Chilean Embassy in Washington, D.C., last night. He said, “The miners endured tribulations that thankfully few will ever face, and are emerging as an inspiration to the world.”
It is a rare blessing when the earth gives back up those that it has trapped within. Watching these brave miners return to the embrace of their families is an indescribable joy.
And while this is a happy day, we also bow our heads and remember our fallen brothers and sisters who have not returned to us, and pray for a safe future for all those who toil underground.
Global Union Leaders: Open Trans-Pacific Trade Talks
Trade union leaders of nations involved in talks to create the latest international trade deal—the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement (TPPTA)—are calling for the negotiations to be inclusive and open, not conducted behind closed doors with a few corporate players, as too many other deals have been.
In a letter sent earlier this month to the trade ministers of Australia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and the United States, union leaders say that workers’ voices must be part of the negotiating process.
Executive Council Supports Aid to Chile, Haiti and Backs Mexican Workers
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The AFL-CIO Executive Council yesterday called on the world community to provide quick, no strings attached aid to Chile after the massive earthquake Feb. 27. The union leaders also reaffirmed strong support for the relief efforts in Haiti and condemned the Mexican government’s attempts to break the union at Grupo Mexico mines. Executive Council members met March 1-3 in Orlando.
In its statement on Chile, the council said aid should be provided without any requirements of repayment. The council also urged that all aid and reconstruction projects in Chile should respect living wage standards and fundamental labor and trade union rights. Click here to read the entire statement.
