by Jane Carolan

Last month saw 200 and more British trade unionists gather in London for the 2nd Unions for Cuba conference. UNISON was particularly well represented, and had funded the conference through the General Political fund. The RMT, the FBU, PCS, the NUT, GMB the T&G among others were also present.

Our special guests were a party of 27 Cuban trade unionists who had travelled to London especially for the occasion. All who attended found the occasion inspiring, particularly speeches from Fransisco Duran Harvey, from the Cuban equivalent of the TUC, and Diana Garcia of UNISON's sister union SNTAP.

The impetus for the conference arose from the policies of the Bush administration, who have named Cuba as one of the countries in the so called 'axis of evil', the same list with Iraq, Iran and North Korea.

The TUC adopted a strong policy of solidarity for Cuba in 2003 and the conference was an opportunity for both countries to learn more about each other, and to discuss ways in which practical solidarity could be developed.

The British contingent were impressed by the Cuban emphasis on education. Free universal provision from the nursery to postgraduate education is the norm and includes specialist education such as music and dancing.

The success of the education system is seen in the numbers of Cuban doctors and nurses working to provide health care throughout the third world, as well as providing free medical education to students from those countries. Perhaps if Tony Blair had uttered the mantra of "education, education, education" in Spanish we would not now have fees in higher education.

Seminars were also held on the impact of the US blockade, democracy and workers rights in Cuba.

UNISON speakers Jane Carolan and Bob Oram emphasised the need to include the Cuban question when talking to government. Reference was made to the work of the Oldham Youth inclusion Project which has taken multi racial groups to Cuba as part of its anti racist work.

See www.cubasolidarity.net for campaign info.

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