Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux

Photo: Active Stills Palestinians protest against Israel’s apartheid wall in Bil’in.

Montreal Middle East solidarity collective Tadamon would like to extend its warm congratulations to the delegates of most recent convention of the Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CCMM-CSN), which took place from May 17 to 21, 2010. At the convention, the 297 delegates voted, nearly unanimously, in favour of a historic resolution in support of the global campaign of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israeli apartheid.

This is a great achievement by the members of the CCMM (CSN), a labour council that represents over 80,000 members in 12 federations and more than 600 unions from various sectors and CSN federations, including construction, education, health, and communications. This courageous stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people living under Israeli apartheid, occupation and siege sends a clear message that Israel’s persistent violations of international law, which began in 1948, will no longer be tolerated by the international community.

This historic resolution is part of the CCMM (CSN)’s long tradition of solidarity with the Palestinian people, which dates back to the era when Michel Chartrand was president of the CCMM (CSN). Chartrand actively took a stand in solidarity with Palestinian human rights, and helped to form Centre international de solidarité ouvrière (CISO) in 1975, which continues to support the Palestinian struggle as well as other struggles across North Africa and in the Global South.

Tadamon congratulates CCSM (CSN) on its vital show of support for Palestinian workers and their families at a time when the suffering of the Palestinian people is only increasing. This suffering ranges from but is not limited to Israel’s illegal settlement expansions and expulsions of Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the forced displacement of Palestinians by the construction of the illegal apartheid wall in the West Bank, and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where over 1 million Palestinians are now trapped by Israel’s ongoing siege and are denied the basic necessities of life including food and medication.

The CCSM (CSN) resolution follows similar resolutions adopted by other Quebec labor unions. In June 2009, the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), one of Quebec’s largest union federations, committed to “support the boycott, disinvestments and sanctions campaign against Israel until Israel complies with international law and the universal principles of human rights.”

The CCSM (CSN)’s adoption of the BDS resolution is a major step towards ending illegal occupation and apartheid in Palestine, and will no doubt inspire other unions to take similar steps. Congratulations!

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We call on supporters of the BDS campaign around the world to take the following action in support of the Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain (CSN)’s historic move:

1) Immediately email the CCSM (CSN) to congratulate them on their stand against Israeli apartheid. A sample letter is included below for your convenience.

Please email your letter of support to:

receptionccmm@csn.qc.ca

and cc info@tadamon.ca

2) If you are a union member, get involved in the BDS campaign! Please contact Tadamon at info@tadamon.ca or (514) 664-1036 for ideas and ways to get involved in Palestinian solidarity work within your union and your workplace. We can also put you in touch with other trade unionists working on supporting Palestinian human rights and the BDS campaign.
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Fight the power, turn the tide, end Israeli apartheid!

In Solidarity,
The Tadamon Collective, Montreal
www.tadamon.ca

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Sample letter

Dear Members of the Executive of the Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain (CSN):

Thank you for passing a resolution in support of the global campaign of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israeli apartheid.

Like South Africa, Israel will have to be subjected to intense international pressure before it recognizes Palestinians as a people with the right to self-determination and equality. Your union played a critical role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa – it is wonderful to see you once again taking this leadership role in the fight against Israeli apartheid.

No doubt you will come under intense pressure from pro-Israeli, pro-apartheid organizations to reverse this courageous decision. Rest assured that the overwhelming majority of people in the world are not fooled by right-wing, racist rhetoric and the mainstream media bias surrounding this issue.

Thank you again!

Boycott Apartheid! Free Palestine!

Sincerely,

Your Name
Your Organisation

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