Amber Longo not only took part in the historic May Day event but also joined an internship with the Workers Central Union of Cuba (CTC). She highlighted three main takeaways that the Cuban people wanted to share with her and the world. ​

Point 1 – Education 

During the internship, Londo took part in roleplaying exercises that she found valuable. “The instructors would put us in these sophisticated role-playing sessions for workplace scenarios. They would give us roles with different individual needs and desires for a workplace setting. In order to learn how to cooperate with the other roleplayed co-workers, through compromising, we had to learn what our own role was willing to give up.” ​
Workers in Cuba have the right to training and can use two weeks of their annual leave for daytime education of their choice. Higher education keeps producing skilled, well-prepared workers. There is a strong focus on science, education and knowledge among Cuban workers. 
Longo spoke not only as a labor unionist but also as a scientist. “We got to hear from someone from The Cuban Institute for Molecular Immunology.” She explained that she left her academic work for moral reasons. As a scientist in the United States, her work could be used for war or profit. She described how, in Cuba, scientific institutions focus on creating medicines to help people, not for war or profit. “If I had been doing science in Cuba, I would not have left the field of science,” Longo said, her voice full of emotion. ​ 

Point 2 – Unity 

Londo said the roleplaying sessions showed an important lesson from the Cuban trade unionists: “No one is going to get everything that they wanted, but if you participate in this struggle, we will all have a better outcome.” Trade union participation is a key part of Cuba’s democracy, making sure that the everyday members’ workplace struggles are included in how the government works. ​ 

The Workers’ Center of Cuba has been the country’s main trade union federation since 1939. Today, the CTC unites 15 sectoral unions that organize over 80,000 workplace branches. These unions work at municipal, provincial, and industrial levels. They are funded by members’ dues, usually based on earnings. Each union elects committees at the municipal, provincial, and national levels. 

Having trade unions represented at all levels of government helps Cubans stay resilient. For example, Longo mentioned that solar panels are provided for prenatal care for women. This support came about because women raised their concerns at work, and these issues were brought to the government by delegates elected through the CTC. 

The CTC’s role in both the workplace and government shows this unity. “The CTC’s job is to act as a representative of the workers in opposition but not antagonistically to the government,” Longo says. The strength of having one union helps keep everyone united. Longo shared that during their roleplay sessions, they were asked, “What are you willing to give up to maintain unity… As a working class movement our power comes from numbers and from unity.” ​ 

Point 3 – Adapting to the Changing Workplace 

For most of the 67 years since its Revolution, Cubans have lived under American embargoes. The Cuban people are used to making sacrifices to protect their way of life. Their dedication to their country helps them adapt and find new solutions. ​ 

Cuba’s creativity and determination have helped them survive tough times. They use solar panels and electric motorcycles. Doctors keep working to save lives, especially newborns. Cuban researchers are working hard to dilute the country’s heavy oil, which is hard to refine, especially since they cannot import what they need. 
The Cuban people’s resilience and commitment to defending their country during the Trump regime’s six-month-old embargo continues to show their strength. Imagine if the U.S. had to go six months with almost no oil.

“There is a lot the American labor movement can learn from its fellow Cuban trade unionists.” Longo’s message is important for U.S. workplaces. American workers are working longer hours and facing tougher conditions as prices rise, making life harder. Unionization is growing in the U.S., but the Amazon model is spreading worldwide. “Gig work is here. It is causing destruction to unions… Now we have the AI revolution and giga-fication. Our current union structure is not creative enough to overcome. If anyone has the experience to come to those collective creative solutions, it is the people of Cuba.” Longo ended her talk by saying, “We need their knowledge to fight our demons. So it’s important for us to show solidarity with [Cuba] but also to learn from them.” ​ 

“Do the Work in Our Unions” ​ 

Longo ended her talk by saying, “There is a lot to do [to help Cuba]. But the most important thing to do is do the work in your unions. You can also sign a petition Cuba is not Alone and use that as an organizing tool. This is the same petition that the Cuban people signed and sent to Raúl Castro. “If you are doing the individual organizing work with people, you can connect why you should support Cuba [to your co-workers.]”

The post Cuban Labor Mobilizes Against Invasion Part 2 first appeared on Labor Today.

The post Cuban Labor Mobilizes Against Invasion Part 2 appeared first on Labor Today.

Longo said the big turnout at the rallies was expected. She highlighted the strong sense of working-class identity among Cubans that contributed to the turnout. “As an Amazon worker, I saw that it was like they were negotiating with their oppressor, as if we as unionists negotiate with our employer.” Longo also spoke about the “My Signature for the Homeland” petition, launched nationwide to defend Cuba. The petition denounces the U.S. blockade, energy restrictions, and threats of war, and it reaffirms the Cuban people’s right and duty to protect their national sovereignty. Over 6.2 million Cubans over the age of 16 signed the petition, which is more than 80% of the population in that age group. The petition was given to Raúl Castro to show solidarity.

Cuban law allows workers to form and join trade unions, and at least 90% of Cuban workers belong to a union. In contrast, only about 10% of American workers are union members.Longo said this strong labor-orientated organization helps Cubans link their workplace struggles to their broader fight against U.S. oppression.

Longo, as a trade unionist, saw firsthand how strong the Cuban labor movement is in facing the U.S. economic blockade. The Cuban people do not want war, but they are prepared to defend their country.

One can add their signature in support for Cuba at: https://www.firmoporcuba.com. By Jerry Ginsburg

The post Cuban Labor Mobilizes Against Invasion Part 1 first appeared on Labor Today.

The post Cuban Labor Mobilizes Against Invasion Part 1 appeared first on Labor Today.

American trade unionists give solidarity to Mexican educators on strike — those who are on strike for better working conditions and not those infiltrating the movement at an opportunistic time to attack President Sheinbaum Pardo in light of calls for violence from the Mexican ultraright, like Carlos Salinas Pliego, and allies of the regime of President Donald Trump.

The post WFTU-FISE Supports the national strike of teachers in Mexico first appeared on Labor Today.

The post WFTU-FISE Supports the national strike of teachers in Mexico appeared first on Labor Today.

The post Young Trade Unionists Celebrate Working Mothers first appeared on Labor Today.

The post Young Trade Unionists Celebrate Working Mothers appeared first on Labor Today.

We remember with horror US President James Monroe’s doctrine which declared that South America was the domain of the United States. The US government’s decision was done without the consent of any other South American government. Recently, President Trump’s America has repeatedly used this doctrine to justify foreign invasions, coups, piracy, and assassinations across the western hemisphere. The US has toppled democratic left governments in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia, and installed puppet right wing dictators. As during the period of the Monroe Doctrine these installed dictators served the interest of US multi-national corporations; crushing unions, restricting labor laws, and denying basic human rights to their people.

As international trade unionists we remember the example of the 1954 US military intervention in Guatemala where the democratically elected government of Jacobo Arbenz was overthrown in a CIA coup to protect the interests of the United Fruit Company of America.

Today it is Venezuela who faces the guns of the US Empire, if we do not unite in international solidarity, it may be us tomorrow. An injury to one is an injury to all.

In conclusion, Labor United Educational League calls upon all trade unions, progressive organizations, and peace-loving people across the globe to stand unequivocally in solidarity with the Venezuelan people. Our solidarity must be active and material: we demand the immediate and unconditional release of President Nicolas Maduro, an end to the economic sanctions against Venezuela and the return of all confiscated oil tankers to the Bolivarian government of Venezuela. No more coups, no more invasions, no more kidnappings, no blood for oil for US corporations. Hands Off Venezuela!

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The post Labor United Educational League Denounces the Kidnapping of Maduro appeared first on Labor Today.

We earnestly request that all organizations worldwide—political, social, labor, governmental, and the general public—publicly and categorically reject the military aggression we suffered in the early hours of today, January 3, 2026, at the hands of the United States. We remain steadfast in our struggle; we will not rest until we overcome this abhorrent threat of foreign invasion. The people of Bolívar and Chávez remain steadfast in their struggle; we will not surrender or give in.

This attack only confirms what we have been denouncing to the world: this is not a fight against drug trafficking or terrorism; it is the most pestilent greed of a decadent empire desperately seeking to maintain its dying hegemony, its fangs drooling as it tries to deliver the final blow by seizing our strategic natural and energy resources, which we will defend with our very lives if necessary. At this hour (11:30 am) on January 3, 2026, our homeland is calm; however, we are organizing and preparing to face any event of this nature that may occur in the coming hours, days, weeks, etc. We expect your solidarity, mobilization, and international support so that, with renewed determination, we can continue fighting the most genocidal empire in the history of humankind.

Remember, today it is us, tomorrow it could be any other nation on the planet. In light of the foregoing, we categorically and unequivocally reiterate our support for the Revolutionary Socialist Government, led by the Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Worker Commander, Nicolás Maduro Moros.

UNITED WE WILL WIN.
ONWARD TO VICTORY, ALWAYS.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOLIVARIAN NATIONAL UNION OF POSTAL WORKERS OF VENEZUELA (SINBTRAPOSTAL-VENEZUELA).

The post Statement from the Bolivarian National Union of Postal Workers of Venezuela on US Attacks on Venezuelan Sovereignty first appeared on Labor Today.

The post Statement from the Bolivarian National Union of Postal Workers of Venezuela on US Attacks on Venezuelan Sovereignty appeared first on Labor Today.

In solidarity,
Labor United Educational League

The post LUEL Becomes An Associate Of The FISE/WFTU first appeared on Labor Today.

The post LUEL Becomes An Associate Of The FISE/WFTU appeared first on Labor Today.

Since it’s founding on October 2, 1945, the WFTU has fought against capitalism, imperialism and war, and fought for justice for workers and building class-consciousness in unions. The WFTU stands in contrast to the Yellow Union collaborationists on the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The WFTU has stood by it’s principles of class-consciousness in trade unions and fighting against capitalist exploitation and imperialist war.

The WFTU, along with the various unions both local and international, held rallies and protests on October 1 and 2nd, culminating in a meeting held at a worker’s exchange in Paris. WFTU President Michael Mzwandile Makwayiba gave a digital greeting, then speeches were given by head of the Unione Sindicale di Base, Cynzia Della Porta, the prior General Secretary and Honorary President of the WFTU, George Mavrikos, and a speech was given by a representative of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions. Then WFTU General Secretary Pambis Kyritis gave a speech on the struggles and victories of the past 80 years and gave optimism to the future of the WFTU.

LUEL salutes the WFTU for 80 years of class struggle against exploitation by monopoly capitalism and will work with the WFTU to build presence and class-consciousness here in the United States. Long live the WFTU!

The post WFTU Celebrates 80th Anniversary in Paris first appeared on Labor Today.

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209 years after that date, the working people continue to fight for their definitive independence, in a context of the advance of capital that seeks a society without freedom or rights for workers. In this sense, the government headed by President Javier Milei is carrying out disastrous policies that go in the direction historically defined by the enemies of the people. However, the multiplicity of sectors across the country, including retirees, who are confronting their reactionary initiatives are a clear example that the people, as in those days, are willing to wage whatever battles are necessary to thwart the anti-popular and quisling attempts of the government and its allies, while also building a just and democratic society.

In this regard, from the National Coordinating Board of Retiree and Pensioner Organizations, we urge grassroots organizations to converge in common actions with a united attitude to achieve our objectives.

“THE ONLY BATTLE YOU LOSE IS THE ONE YOU ABANDON”
Argentina, July 7, 2025

The post ARGENTINA: Wednesday Retiree Update first appeared on Labor Today.

The post ARGENTINA: Wednesday Retiree Update appeared first on Labor Today.

The WFTU strongly condemns any collaboration with the war machine of the murderous state of Israel and calls for a boycott of Israel, especially for activities linked with its military operations and the crimes against Palestinians.

-Noting that on 26 January 2024, the International Criminal Court ordered Israel to ‘take all possible measures’ to ‘prevent’ genocide in Gaza, recognising that at least some of the rights claimed by South Africa and for which it sought protection were plausible.

-Noting that on 26 May 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel must ‘immediately’ stop its military offensive in Rafah, in southern Gaza, in response to South Africa’s request that the court issue this decision as an emergency measure, stating that Israel’s activities in Rafah constitute a ‘genocidal’ operation and threaten the survival of the Palestinian people.

-Noting that on 20 May 2024, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced that he had requested arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Yoav Galant, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

-And if the news published in various media outlets about the SINEDOR collaboration with the Israeli murderous state is true, we demand the immediate and unconditional end of the partnership without exception.

No support of the Israeli crimes
Stop the Genocide – Free Palestine

The post WFTU Condemns the Alleged Operations Carried Out by SINEDOR in Cooperation with Israeli Companies first appeared on Labor Today.

The post WFTU Condemns the Alleged Operations Carried Out by SINEDOR in Cooperation with Israeli Companies appeared first on Labor Today.