Campaign news

ASLEF Solidarity with Ukrainian Workers

22nd May 2015

ASLEF Solidarity with Ukrainian Workers

ASLEF delegates voted unanimously to affiliate to the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign endorsing a motion from Nottingham ASLEF branch:

This 2015 AAD notes:

1. The ongoing conflict between the Ukrainian government and paramilitary forces in the east of the country backed by Russian imperialism.
2. That all workers in Ukraine – Ukrainian-speaking, Russian-speaking and Russian – are facing attacks on their rights and living standards as a result of neo-liberal economic policies promoted by Western governments, the IMF, etc.
3. That the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign has been established to support and build direct links with independent socialists and the labour movement in Ukraine and to help the Ukrainian people to determine their own future free from external intervention from Russian or Western imperialism This AAD resolves: 1. To circulate information from the campaign and about Ukrainian workers’ struggles to our members. 2. To affiliate to the campaign and make a suitable donation.

Tony Byrne an ASLEF rep whose branch submitted the motion said:
“I welcome ASLEF’s AAD voting to affiliate to the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign. For too long in Britain the problem has been presented as a battle for influence over Ukraine between outside forces representing big business, the EU/US versus Russia, neither of which deserves our support. The USC is a grass roots organisation that will build solidarity with any group of workers in any part of the Ukraine that is fighting to improve the situation for workers. “

Christopher Ford convenor of the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign said:
“ASLEF representatives from the beginning stated that the most important thing was to show solidarity with fellow trade unionists in Ukraine, and that is exactly what they have done. The Free Trade Union of Railway Workers of Ukraine has welcomed the prospect of making direct links with ASLEF and exchanging ideas and experiences of their common struggles, this is the way forward for the labour movement.”