Herbert Claros
In this interview, Herbert Claros, director of the Metalworkers’ Union of São José dos Campos, member of CSP-Conlutas and Embraer worker, talks about international trade unionism with class independence, and his solidarity campaign with Ukraine, which has been resisting the brutal Russian invasion for more than five months.
How was the experience of the workers’ aid convoy to Ukraine?
Herbert Claros: At the end of April, the International Labour Network of Solidarity and Struggles (ILNSS) sent a delegation of 20 trade unionists from five countries to deliver 800 kilos of humanitarian aid to the Ukrainan miners’ union of Krivyi Rikh. It was our way of expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian resistance. We also participated in a Conference on the war organized by social movements in the city of Lvyv.
What is the situation in Ukraine?
Herbert: Workers are in resistance against Putin’s criminal invasion. They are also faced with labor reforms developed by Zelensky’s own government for the benefit of Ukranian oligarchs. They are faced with the hypocrisy of European countries and the United States, which make speeches in favor of Ukraine, but refuse to deliver the weapons necessary for the Ukranian resistance to defeat Putin and liberate the country. There is also the question of the majority of the international left which either supports Putin or opposes sending arms to Ukraine for its self-defense.
Is there any proposal to return to Ukraine?
Herbert – the International Labor Network is discussing a second convoy for the month of September.
How was the participation of the Metalworkers’ Union delegation in the Labor Notes Conference in Chicago, in May?
Herbert – It was very interesting to see that there is a new situation in the United States. This conference gathers labor activists who are critical of class conciliation. There were 4,000 people present. The president of the recently formed New York Amazon labor union was present. The growth of militant syndicalism is related to the great mobilization against racist police violence following the murder of George Floyd.
Will the Network engage in more activities this year?
Herbert – Yes. For example, there will be a conference of alternative European syndicalists which Network organizations will participate in at the beginning of September, in Rome, in order to discuss a joint trade union action on the continental level. This month we are also launching a new Network website.
Is it truly necessary to have a global trade union organization?
Herbert – Just as it is necessary to build a global revolutionary socialist party, like the IWL-FI is, it is necessary to build a united front organization to promote international solidarity among workers. Unfortunately, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) works with the perspective of class conciliation, and the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) is linked to the interests of the Chinese, Cuban, and Russian governments. The Labor Network we are building is militant and 100% independent from bosses and governments.
Publisher to launch books on the global situation
The publisher Editora Sundermann is preparing to launch four books which are very important for understanding the international situation, according to its editor Jorge Breogan.
Chinese activist and Marxist Au Loong-Yu is the author of a work on the fight for democratic rights in Hong Kong, which will have a special preface for the Brazilian edition on the Chinese political economy.
Also, the first volumes of a collection of seven books on the history of the Soviet Union will be published, written by historian Vadim Rogovin based on his research in State archives.
By the Palestinian-Brazilian activist Soraya Misleh, a book on Palestinian women will be published, based on Misleh’s doctoral work.
Finally, Editora Sundermann will launch Lebanese Marxist historian Fawwaz Traboulsi’s book on Modern Lebanese History.
Article originally published on ptsu.org.br, 8/17/2022
