Colombia is the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist. Nearly 5 years after the signing of the Peace Agreement, the killings of union leaders and human rights defenders continue without end. The Colombian Tobacco Industry Workers Union (SINTRAINTABACO) has been one of the unions at the forefront of the struggle against the multinational corporations and monopolies exploiting Colombia’s workers, including children, and leaving farmers in a cycle of poverty and debt. This will be a unique opportunity to hear directly from leading Colombian unionists on the plight of tobacco workers, the crimes of multinational conglomerates like Philip Morris and the need for international solidarity with Colombia. This event is co-sponsored by Sintraintabaco, the ANSWER Coalition, United Students Against Sweatshops, Labor Against Racism and War, and Alliance For Global Justice.
Paola Vidal is a member of the Bogota Sectional Board and a worker representative in the Claims Commission for COLTABACO SAS.
Camilo Moreno is a Director with the Barranquilla Sectional Board and handles relevant information about the employee evaluations made by the company with a focus on Personal Development Communication.
Jorge Isaza is a Union Director with the Medellín Sectional Board.
Andres Urrea is a Union Officer of the Medellín Section currently working in Logistics and has been a fundamental piece in organizational systems.
Vildamir Forero is the President of the Barranquilla Sectional Board. He has worked with the Coexistence committee as a COLTABACO SAS employee representative and was a negotiator in the 2015 labor dispute. He’s currently the Coordinator of the International Plan for New York.
Please note that this event is in-person at The People’s Forum (320 West 37th Street, New York, NY 10018) and attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination and one form of identification at the check-in desk. We will also be providing Spanish to English interpretation.