The Fight for Worker Rights & the Colombian Free Trade Agreement
The Fight for Worker Rights and the Colombian Free Trade Agreement
Dora Acero, a worker on La Fragrancia flower plantation in Colombia, will offer her personal testimony concerning worker rights in the Colombian flower industry, specifically in light of the pending free trade agreement with the United States. Dora's plantation is owned by US-based Dole Food Company, and her union, Untrafragrancia, has been involved in a labor struggle with Dole for over two years. Come meet Dora and learn how you can help her achieve the only existing contract for an independent union in the Colombian flower industry.
John Lindsay-Poland is currently co-director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) Task Force on Latin America and the Caribbean, a position in which he has served since 1989. Previously, he served with Peace Brigades International as a peace team member in Guatemala and El Salvador. He is editor of FOR's Puerto Rico/Colombia Update, and author of numerous articles and books on US militarism in Latin America. He has extensive knowledge of US foreign policy towards Colombia and will give context on the significance and potential impact of the pending free trade agreement.
DePaul University Lincoln Park Library,
Rosati Room 300
2350 North Kenmore Avenue, Chicago IL
Refreshments will be served!
For more information, contact Gilberto Villaseñor gvillas1@depaul.edu or Abbey Schumacher aschuma1@depaul.edu
Sponsored by DePaul Women's Center, University Ministry, Study Abroad Program, Amnesty International (DePaul Chapter), International Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, Steans Center, Women and Gender Studies, Modern Languages Department, Chicagoans for a Peaceful Colombia, Chicago Trade with Justice Working Group, US LEAP, Progressive Democrats of America, Chicago Religious Leadership Network, and in collaboration with the Loyola University Latin American Studies Program
Currently, there are no contracts held by independent unions in the Colombian flower industry.
Come learn how you can help to change that!
