Vol. 73/No. 19      May 18, 2009

The Guadeloupe demonstration was organized by the LKP (Alliance Against Exploitation) and the Martinique action by the February 5 Coalition. These are both alliances of trade unions, farmers, and other associations that led the two general strikes against the high cost of living that paralyzed the two French island-colonies in the Caribbean, in February and early March.

The Guadeloupe demonstration took place in Petit-Canal, the town where LKP trade union leader Jacques Bino was buried in February. Bino was shot and killed near one of the barricades set up by strikers and unemployed youth at the high point of the general strike.

The strikes won a 200-euro monthly wage increase (US$266) for some 40,000 low-paid workers in Guadeloupe and Martinique, as well in French Guiana, on the northeast coast of South America, and Réunion, in the Indian Ocean. All are French colonies considered “overseas departments” by Paris.

In Guadeloupe small employers signed the wage agreement known as the Bino Accords while large employers have refused. Some 15 local strikes are continuing in Guadeloupe against those employers who are not abiding by the general agreements.

The LKP called for another general mobilization May 7.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy announced plans to hold general assemblies in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, and French Guiana. But the main trade union alliances in the four colonies all called for a boycott of the assemblies. At the first two assemblies held in Guadeloupe April 14, there were less than 20 participants.

In Puerto Rico, a U.S. colony, tens of thousands of workers took the day off May 1 and marched in San Juan against the plan of Gov. Luis Fortuño to lay off 30,000 public sector employees. The work stoppage shut down buses and affected utilities, schools, and universities.

The Puerto Rican legislature has adopted the drastic cutbacks legislation. The first phase provides incentives for voluntary separations. That deadline passed with few people taking the offer. This summer the layoffs will begin. The governor has suspended collective bargaining agreements.

Five public sector unions that are unaffiliated with labor federations based in the United States decided to march May Day during working hours. Organizers said that the demonstration drew 40,000 people. Unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO and Change to Win organized a 5:00 p.m. picket that was attended by thousands.

Ron Richards in San Juan contributed to this article.
 
 
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