Labor Notes Conference

Building Solidarity From Below

Dearborn, Michigan

May 5 – 7, 2006

Report By: Donald Lafleur, 4th National Vice-President

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2006 3
Labour and Populist Governments in Latin America - 3
Argentina - 3
Chile - 3
Mexico - 4
El Salvador - 4
Corporate Campaigns: Coalition of Immokalee Workers - 4
Power on the Job - 6
Alejandro Sosa - 6
Julie Washington - 6
Tom Leadham - 7

SATURDAY, MAY 6 - 8
Troublemakers Take on Goliath - 8
Captain Trouble Maker - 8
Soldiers of Solidarity - 8
Surviving Bankruptcy - 9
Interest / Union Meetings - 10
The Pension Crisis - 11
Windsor Local Retirees Evening - 12
CONCLUSION - 12

The National Executive Board approved a delegation of regional and national union representatives to participate in this conference. The Labour Notes Conference takes place every 2 years and is attended by activists from all over the world but mainly from the United States, Canada and Mexico.

We had the opportunity to participate in various workshops including 6 on Friday, 31 on Saturday, and 15 on Sunday. In addition, there were plenary meetings as well on the following topics: “Trouble Makers Take on Goliath”, “What Are We Fighting For” and “Building Solidarity From Below”.