Labor movement increasingly opposes U.S. imperialism

The 30th AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention wrapped up in Minneapolis on June 10. One resolution in particular hints at a shift in its staunchly pro-imperialist record. A paragraph in “Resolution 9: We Want a Just and Peaceful World” particularly stands out because it explicitly addresses Gaza, the genocide and war crimes viewed in real time across the globe since Oct. 7, 2023. 

The Peace and Prosperity subsection reads in part: “In Gaza, we demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire; full, safe and sustained humanitarian access; a halt to arms transfers that may facilitate violations of international law by all parties; and a credible political process grounded in international law and UN resolutions to achieve a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution.” 

The Gaza paragraph falls short of recognizing the decades-long imperialist oil domination project aiming to erase Palestine and the Palestinian people by replacing them with a settler-colonial military outpost, “Israel.” However, the carefully crafted narrative that attempts to hide the apartheid Palestinian existence in the U.S. labor movement is crumbling.

Several international unions acted to form the National Labor Network for Ceasefire, whose original Nov. 22, 2023, statement is echoed in the AFL-CIO resolution. The paragraph is a result of the tireless work and sacrifices of the Palestinian people in Gaza and around the world, the global solidarity movement. Deserving of a special shout-out are the outspoken and militant Jewish communities inside the U.S. — the engine and enabler of genocide —  who declare, “not in my name.” The social movement built by their actions became a deciding factor in the 2024 U.S. presidential election and continues to resound as the working class grapples with the effects of capitalism at a dead end and its endless war.

The member unions have grown to include: American Association of University Professors (AAUP); American Postal Workers Union (APWU); Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA); National Nurses United (NNU); Inlandboatmen’s Union (IBU); International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT); International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU); National Education Association (NEA); National Writers Union (NWU); United Auto Workers (UAW); United Electrical Workers (UE). 

In another welcome surprise, on Jan. 3, the AFL-CIO reposted to its Facebook page a resounding condemnation by the International Trade Union Confederation of the U.S. military attack on Venezuela and the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The ITUC statement was followed by an AFL-CIO statement: “We join the international labor community in condemning President Trump’s unconstitutional actions in Venezuela.”

As the U.S. intentional asphyxiation of Cuba daily becomes more apparent, the largest U.S. union of registered nurses, National Nurses United, brought labor’s active voice to the Capitol. On June 30, this powerful union spoke at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., flanked by four congressional Representatives: Delia Ramirez, Illinois; Jonathan Jackson, Illinois; Pramila Jayapal, Washington state; and Ro Khanna, California. Supporting speakers included Olivia DiNucci, CodePink; Dr. John Reuwer, Doctors Against Genocide; Retired UE Washington Representative Chris Townsend and Bob Schwartz, Global Health Partners. 

Support for ending the U.S. war on Cuba is growing in the U.S. The California Federation of Labor Unions and Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, have taken a stand. Official AFL-CIO allies are on record supporting Cuba — the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), and Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) — as are the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the United Electrical Workers. A more extensive list can be found at NNOC.org/resolutions, including tips on passing resolutions in your city or union.