At
its annual Congress held at the Harrogate International Centre, from
Saturday 28 May to Monday 30 May 2011, the University and College Union
(UCU) passed a unanimous resolution condemning US sanctions against
PDVSA.
At
its annual Congress held at the Harrogate International Centre, from
Saturday 28 May to Monday 30 May 2011, the University and College Union (UCU) passed a unanimous resolution condemning US sanctions against
PDVSA.
Darrall Cozens, UCU member and Hands Off Venezuela supporter
UCU
is the largest trade union and professional association for academics,
lecturers, trainers, researchers and academic-related staff working in
further and higher education throughout the UK, with more than 120,000
members.
The emergency motion was moved last weekend by Darrall
Cozens, delegate from the West Midlands retired members’ branch, who is
also a member of the Hands Off Venezuela Steering Committee. Here is the
full text of the motion:
"UCU congres notes the unilateral and
unlawful sanctions imposed by the US administration against the
Venezuelan oil company PDVSA for trading with Iran. Venezuela is a
sovereign country and has the right to trade with any country it
chooses.
Congress notes that oil revenues from PDVSA are crucial
in funding the massive social programmes (Misiones) of the Bolivarian
government in health care, education, job creation and housing.
UCU congress:
- strongly condemns US sanctions against PDVSA
- rejects
the growing campaign of demonisation of the Venezuelan revolution,
which is deliberately timed to coincide with the run-up to the 2012
presidential elections. - reiterates its support for the Bolivarian revolution
- calls
on the trade union, solidarity, youth and progressive movements of the
world to mobilise in solidarity with the Bolivarian revolution against
this latest act of imperialist aggression. - continues to affiliate and work with the Hands Off Venezuela campaign"
