Global Solidarity Forum 27/28 August 2010 ASTI

Solidarity with the trade unions in Palestine and Congress’ BDS

campaignHow to develop Congress’ BDS Campaign and BDS work in our

unions?

Congress BDS Campaign

• In 2007 an Irish Trade

Union delegation paid

a visit to Israel and

Palestine.

• Result of 2 motions on

the subject at our 2007

Biennial Delegate

Conference

Report Conclusion:

“The boycott position of ICTU has been explicitly commended and welcomed by almost all the representatives of Palestinian trade unions and human rights groups that we met. It was evident to the delegation that some of those we met were more constrained in their comments on any boycott, because of political sensitivities. Nevertheless the veryclear message that we received was that the position adopted by Congress was strongly supported and welcomed.”

Report Recommendation:

“To support and promote a boycott campaignof Israeli goods and services and a policy of

disinvestment from Israeli companies as a means ofencouraging the Israeli government to comply withInternational Law and to cease the human rights

violations of the Palestinian people.”

Dublin Castle Conference

Campaign Planning Group

• Ann Speed, Siptu• Brian Campfield

Nipsa• Noirin Greene, Unite• Jack O Connor,

Congress President;

• John Douglas, Mandate;

• Patricia McKeown, Unison;

• Peter McLoone• Congress

Secretariate

Campaign Plans

• Liaison with:• Trade Union Friends

of Palestine;• Solidarity Groups –

Sadaka and Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign

BDS Campaign Components:

• background document • consumer facing document – a much

shorter version 2 sides of A5;• viral ad promoting the campaign;• training session for union activists on the

campaign in October

Background document

• The Origins of Congress Policy• The Global BDS Campaign • Support from Unions globally• Why Congress Supports BDS

– (I) ‘Security Fence’ or Apartheid Wall?– (ii) Denial of livelihoods– (iii) Operation Cast Lead– (iv) Working Conditions

• A Consumer-led Boycott

Strong Imagery

Consumer leaflet

• The Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions campaign (BDS) is wholly supported by Congress and its members.

• Highlight abuses

• Parallels with Apartheid regime

Leaflet ctd

How can I help?Don’t buy Israeli products..

We believe union members can play akey role in this campaign, in terms of

raising awareness and in spreading themessage amongst workplace colleagues.

Full list of products go towww.bdsmovement.net

Information on Congress Campaign…

Viral Ad

• Intercutting still images to make a flash animation and a web button on homepage link to a bds campaign page

• And / or short video: web button on www.ictu.ie linked to a campaign page. Voiceover from..?

Training

• Training session for activists

• Tailored for individual unions

• Involve TUFP and Solidarity Groups