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International Landworker


n By Mark Metcalf


MORE TRUCKS FOR PEACE Colombian co-ops build for hope and prosperity


Building worker and lifelong trade unionist Ken Routledge is appealing for other Unite branches to join with the Everton NW/UD088 Unite Branch, of which he is secretary, in donating towards Trucks For Peace – raising funds for Colombian Co-ops.


The co-ops are organised by former FARC guerrillas in the South American Republic south west region around the city of Cali and are essential to helping build peace and co-operativism and in raising living standards amongst poor rural communities.


One of those involved with the peace negotiations – in which the Unite backed London-based Justice for Columbia organisation played a key


role – with the government was Alexandra Nariño, a Dutch former guerrilla fighter and English teacher who joined FARC, then 20,000 strong, in 2002 and became one of FARC’s leading public figures from 2007 onwards.


Narino, plus an indigenous former


FARC fighter, feature in a short ‘Trucks For Peace Fundraising Campaign video launched by Trademark, an anti- sectarian Belfast based organisation which has a strong Unite membership.


“The agreement we signed was a good one but the government then changed and we are battling to have it


implemented,” explains Narino. Dozens of former guerrillas have been killed in mysterious circumstances by forces loyal to the state whilst Columbia also remains the most dangerous place in the world for trade unionists who are the targets for paramilitary forces.


When they gave up their arms and settled for peace, insurgents were awarded $2,000 each to help finance and find work and build a future for the communities they live in. Some have pooled these monies to set up worker cooperatives, whose members also include indigenous people who were never armed fighters, producing coffee, clothes and beer, among many other products. However, the bottleneck for most of them is to bring their products to the market and sell them for a fair price.


De Mano en Mano (From Hand to Hand) has been established to help the 27 former FARC members newly formed coops and those from surrounding rural communities in Southwest Columbia to commercialise their products. Marketing will be key but, in addition, transporting products is difficult because “the roads are poor…so we need a truck,” states Narino.


The vehicle will cost around £25,000. As we go to press around a third of this has been raised including £100 from


the Unite English Language Teachers’ Branch and Unite LE128 - Trade Union Staff Branch and £75 from Everton NW/UD088 Unite Branch.


“Our members regularly donate to good causes,” explains Ken, who back in 1973 was involved in helping two Chilean exiles, who had escaped South America when General Pinochet took power in a coup and began a period of totalitarianism in which tens of thousands of trade unionists were disappeared, to find work at the Vauxhall car factory, where Ken himself was a steward for over a decade.


“I am full of admiration for South American people who have stood up for their rights for decades. In Colombia it might mean losing your life. I think Narino’s bravery is also an inspiration.


“The monies are needed to help people with the rebuilding of their lives and the communities they live in. I’d urge other branches to show support and also support the invaluable work of Justice for Colombia.”


find out more


See more at Trademark and Justice for Colombia websites


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