TUFI TUC 2008 Fringe Event
The message of the landmark agreement between the Histadrut (Israeli TUC) and the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) quickly spread through the TUC Congress in 2008.
Brendan Barber, in his opening speech to conference, congratulated Guy Ryder of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) for mediating between the two federations and praised them for coming together, despite all the difficulties. He said he hoped the agreement would “carve a path that political leaders could now follow”.
The importance of the agreement was reaffirmed by Avital Shapira-Shabirow, head of the Histadrut’s International Department, at TUFI’s TUC fringe event. Mrs Shapira-Shabirow, one of the key representatives during the negotiations, told the gathering of over 70 delegates that the agreement would help Palestinian workers and improve their day-to-day lives, have positive repercussions for the wider ongoing peace process and “pave the way for continuous co-operation”. She said, categorically, that all financial issues between the Histadrut and the PGFTU had been settled with nearly £2 million transferred to the PGFTU in July 2008.
Mrs Shapira-Shabirow also heavily criticised trade unionists in the UK that are still pushing for a boycott of Israel, arguing that Palestinian trade unions themselves are against a boycott as it would “harm, first of all, Palestinian workers”. She said it was not for people outside the region, like Sue Blackwell, “to force a boycott call upon the PGFTU to suit their own agenda when it only acts to divide the Histadrut and the PGFTU at a time when cooperation between the two federations is so positive”. Roger Lyons, Chair of TUFI, said the agreement should “cut the legs off most attacks and calls for a boycott”.
Owen Tudor, also speaking at the TUFI event, said the historic deal was a vital step forward that took great courage from both Ofer Eini, Chairman of the Histadrut, and Shaher Sae’d, General Secretary of the PGFTU. He said it was now at the heart of the TUC’s concern to help “with actions, not words” by focusing more on sister union work and joint initiatives between Israeli, Palestinian and British trade unions.
ANNUAL FRINGE MEETING: TUC CONGRESS 2008
“Why trade union cooperation is vital to the peace process and prosperity”
Guest speakers included:
Owen Tudor, Head of International Relations, TUC
Avital Shapira-Shabirow, Head of International Department, The Histadrut
H.E. Ron Prosor, Israeli Ambassador
Roger Lyons, Chair, TUFI
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