“Cuba may not have the wealth of the US, but it has a heart for the poor”

UNISON North West delegation

UNISON North West delegate Ian Sutcliffe reports on his participation in CSC’s May Day Brigade to Cuba 2013

I was over the moon when I got accepted to join the NW UNISON delegation on the Young Trade Unionist May Day Brigade to Cuba. This was the 6th time that the Cuba Solidarity Campaign organised two weeks of solidarity and celebration of the Cuban Revolution.

The campaign seeks an end to the 50 year blockade of Cuba. The United States Government has for 50 years blocked trade with Cuba. It is not just an embargo; America also blocks third countries from trading with Cuba.

We took part in different activities while in Cuba. One of them was farming. We spent a whole day piling up branches into a bonfire and another day moving large stones. It was very exhausting, physically and mentally.

At the end of both days I thought “What is the point, I’m a council gardener and this would take an hour with a John Deere tractor”.  With 30 operatives and no tractor it took all day. If we had a tractor time would fly by very swiftly.

That is just the point, Cuba struggles to make new vehicles or import them because of the blockade. Most cars and lorries are 1950s American vehicles. The Cubans have done very well in maintaining these vehicles for so long. This may be because Cuba has active mines. They have large deposits of nickel and nickel cobalt.

Another major industry is the health care industry. The Cuban health service trains doctors and nurses that go and work all over Latin America. Cuba regularly sends medical aid missions to tropical islands along the Equator and in South America whenever there is a natural disaster.

Cuba has a lot to give. Cuba may not have the oil or wealth of the United States of America but it has a heart for the poor; which is exactly what the capitalist countries elsewhere do not have. What Cuba has, it shares generously.

What became apparent at the May Day rally in Revolution Square is that all of the doctors, consultants, nurses, military forces, local government workers, school teachers and children were marching together. The atmosphere was amazing with all of the music, the banners and the revolutionary cheer.

We attended a play which was performed by the school children. It was about the Spanish-American War right through to the Cuban Revolution.  A few days later we attended a street party with a local Committee for the Defence of the Revolution. From the age of 5 to 75; everyone in Cuba loves to dance. In the street party there was a 5 year old boy who was busting some moves. Everyone was dancing. The President of the local Communist Party addressed the delegation at the end of the night and thanked us all for being there and for showing solidarity with the Cuban people.

If any young members are thinking of going next year don’t go for the food: the food is poor. Take plenty of mosquito spray; take a torch and a rain coat. It rained once while I was in Cuba; at that time we had a thunderstorm and a power cut. Take working boots, gloves and washing powder.

I would recommend going on a Brigade in Cuba to anyone, whatever age you are. There are Brigades for people of any age as well.

Get involved -become an activist!

“Cuba continues to struggle against the U.S. blockade and they need our support”

NAPO delegation on visit to ICAP House for meeting with Ministry of Justice

Article by Jackie Dixon, NAPO, May Day Brigade 2012

I went with few expectations of the Cuban people, however I did go to learn, listen and help where I could. 

Our accommodation at the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp was basic and functional.  After an initial look around we soon got drawn into the positive atmosphere created by sharing space with 230 other Brigadiers from around the world united in a common cause.  Our first evening was spent talking, relaxing and hanging flags of the many different unions and countries around the main meeting area, we laughed at our own attempts and quickly got involved with others doing the same, sharing string, pegs and sticky tape to complete the display and "make our mark".

We embarked on a program of agricultural work, lectures, professional, cultural and social visits, dinners and street parties.  I found the professional visit to the Judges and Attorneys in Havana extremely interesting.  Through a question and answer session of both parties we were able to make the direct comparisons between the Cuban and the British Justice system. Of particular note was how they involve the wider community in matters relating to the rehabilitation of offenders, re-integration into the community and their own families where they can.  This work is helped by the Federation of Cuban Women who assist where there is family breakdown, fight for the equal rights of women and children, address social problems and support the whole of Cuban society - without government funding!   Just imagine if we had that in Britain!

NAPO delegates at International Solidarity Conference

Speaking on a personal level there were many highlights to my trip, The May Day March and celebration, an invitation into the home of a doctor's wife, the visit to a day care centre for children aged 1-5yrs, meeting the parents and wife of the Cuban 5, the International Conference, the list goes on.  The experience on a whole has left me questioning what I really know about British politics and its influences on my own life.

In Cuba they continue the political struggle against the US blockade. They need our support, and the influences that other countries and Governments from around the world can bring to bear to change their lives and the lives of future generations.  They continue to campaign for the right to trade as any other country, to be freed from the oppression imposed by the US and the release of those unjustly imprisoned.

Despite their hardships, the Cuban people are friendly, warm, generous and genuine.  They had a smile and a "Hola" greeting ("Hello" in Spanish) wherever we went.   They opened their hearts to us and I would encourage anyone to go and visit the country and its people for themselves, feel as they do and experience their passion, they will leave their mark in your heart!

To support the ongoing struggle against the U.S. blockade of Cuba, please join the Cuba Solidarity Campaign today and get your trade union branch affiliated. You can join online now.

NAPO’s Amazing Cuban Adventure

NAPO Delegates at International Solidarity Conference. L-R: Jackie Dixon, Jonathan Walsh, Radhika Saujani, Sarah Wake, and Tania Bassett

Article by Tania Bassett, NAPO, May Day Brigade 2012

I could write forever about our trip and still probably only cover half of what was a truly amazing 12 days in Cuba. So this article will try to cover the significant events and give you a flavour of what life was like as a May Day brigadier!

Cuba Solidarity Campaign UK delegation

There were 20 delegates in total from Unison, Unite, CWU, RMT, UCATT and 7 from Napo. Yes, as usual Napo was punching above its weight being the smallest union that no one had heard of, with the biggest delegation. There was a mixed age group with the youngest being 22 and the eldest being Jonathan, so I won’t expose his age! Dan Smith was also with us from Cuba Solidarity Campaign as the organiser and he did a sterling job both before the trip and while we were away.

Julio Antonia Mella International Camp

Founded by Julio Mella also the founder of the Cuban Communist Party, the camp was originally a temporary camp in the 1920’s. It is used for people to come to live together to learn about Cuban ideology, politics, way of life and meet other delegates from around the world. Although we were told it is basic before we went I think even the most prepared Brigadiers were a little surprised. With no running hot water on camp, cold showers at 5.30am are bracing to say the least. Food was very plain starting with breakfast (a very boiled egg with bread, milk and coffee) and then lunch and dinner (bread, rice, bean soup, a meat of some description and plantain). But with a total of 280 people on camp it was impressive how organised meal times were.

Members of British delegation with trade unionists and activists from South Korea

Depending on the agenda we were woken between 4am and 5.45am. The speaker system on camp was used to broadcast a cockerel followed by Guantanamerra and other Cuban songs! Accommodation consisted of 8 bed dorms with bunk beds, which provided some entertaining evenings as people attempted to climb on to the top bunk after being at the bar a little too long! It was a wonderful experience to meet the other delegates from all over the world including Columbia, Argentina, El Salvador, Finland, South Korea, Australia, Peru, Chile, Haiti to name but a few. And the very accommodating bar on camp offered plenty of opportunity to socialise and drink very cheap rum!

The Agenda

The agenda was mixed for the 2 weeks. Starting with a variety of lectures and seminars, agricultural work, followed by 3 days in Pinar del Rio (with a hotel with showers and everything!), some sightseeing, the Museum of the Revolution, street parties and professional visits. For Napo delegates this included a unique visit that had been arranged by the CSC link and our interpreter Luis. We met with the President of the Provincial Court (equivalent of Crown Court), a Provincial Court Judge and a Municipal Court Judge. It was a unique opportunity to find out more about the Cuban Criminal Justice System, sentencing process and how offenders are resettled and rehabilitated in the community. Their approach is much more focused on communities helping people to resettle and having involvement in getting people back to work and contributing to society with overall supervision responsibility being with Judge Assistants. We were very fortunate to have this visit and I hope it is something Napo can develop for the future.

Then back to camp to get ready for the May Day Parade through Havana. We weren’t sure what to expect really but it was overwhelming to see so many people parade through Havana in celebration of Trade Unions. We were especially lucky that Raul Castro was also at the parade and thanks to some binoculars we were able to see him. The Parade lasted over an hour and hopefully some of our pictures will give you a sense of the scale of the parade.

The following day we attended the International Solidarity Conference. There were about 1200 delegates at the conference and each was asked to take the floor and make a contribution. I had been chosen from our delegates to address conference which was a real honour, if not slightly nerve-racking. We were also addressed by the mother of one of the Miami 5 or Cuban 5 as they are also known. It was a moving address in which she thanked the work of the British Trade Union movement for all its support. After the conference we were then privileged to meet with her and the wife and mother of 2 of the other Cuban 5.

Thoughts from the Delegation

“I'm immensely grateful for the opportunity to have visited the Republic of Cuba. Not many people spend just under two weeks in the company of like-minded trade unionists, activists and ideologists being shown the history, progression (and problems) of a socialist state…  my legs are still recovering from intensive dancing!

“Our trip to Cuba was truly a trip of a lifetime. The opportunity to visit places and meet people that otherwise would not have been possible outside of this trip was truly amazing. It was also a fantastic opportunity to meet NAPO and other trade union members from around the country who shared a passion for the trade union movement. I recommend next year’s trip to everyone!!” Keron Choudhury 

“I was proud to be part of the first NAPO delegation on this visit... Sceptics might suggest we saw only what they wanted us to - driven to meetings and visits under police outrider escort - but I encountered only warmth, respect, open generosity and intelligence. During free time we were encouraged to speak to anyone we encountered. The reception everywhere was almost overwhelming such was the generosity of the Cuban spirit. At a high school visit several comrades admitted to welling up in the face of the warmth of a singing, dancing reception - equality and respect evident throughout.

Cubans have nothing against the American people - remarkable in the face of the embargo and imprisonment of the Cuban 5 for trying to expose US based terrorism against their people. There are many "poor but happy" platitudes to resist but I felt at ease, valued and safe in this wonderful country as well as grateful for the opportunity to pay homage to their courage at the solidarity conference prior to departure. NAPO must take their lead and be fortified in our efforts to continue the fight for social justice.” Jonathan Walsh

Next year?

After a truly inspiring trip I hope that Napo will continue to support CSC and the brigade and that we can build on the connections we have now made with the Cuban people. I certainly will be putting my name down for next year and would encourage all Napo members to make this journey that was in many respects quite life changing. All of us were profoundly affected by Cuba and it was an experience that will stay with us forever.

The Cuba Solidarity Campaign runs a range of Brigades and Study Tours throughout the year. For more information, please visit our Tours Website. If you would like to join our May Day Brigade in 2013, please get in touch and express your interest.

Young trade unionists inspired by May Day brigade

Twenty-eight young activists from across the British trade union movement visited Cuba to enjoy the May Day festivities and offer their support and solidarity to the Cuban people. Delegates from five trade unions – including Unite, Unison, GMB, TSSA and UCATT – joined trade unionists and political activists from around the world in a celebratory program of cultural activities, entertainment and political education.

May Day Brigade is amazing experience for Unison delegation

Unison recently sent four delegates on our Young Trade Unionists’ May Day Brigade to Cuba. Unison delegate, Lisa Scott (above, right), reports on the Brigade below.

At the beginning of the year I was given the opportunity of joining the Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) on their annual Young Trade Unionists’ May Day Brigade. This is a chance for trade unionists under the age of 35 to visit Cuba and see how the history and politics of their country differ to our own and also gives us the chance to show our support and solidarity to a country that is still being blockaded by the USA after more than 50 years. I agreed to go and to be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect.

GMB Delegation Enjoy May Day Brigade to Cuba

The GMB recently sent six delegates on our Young Trade Unionists’ May Day Brigade to Cuba. Two of the delegates from the Northern Region – Craig Maguire and Michael Carey – have written the article below outlining their thoughts and experiences.

As two young trade unionists the opportunity to go to Cuba and experience the highs and lows of Cuban life first hand was an exciting prospect, a once in a lifetime opportunity, not to be missed; to have our eyes opened to the struggles and successes of Cuba and bring back the message of Cuban people for the purposes of international solidarity and awareness of injustice inflicted by the USA.