Ireland: Independent Workers Union Vote to Affiliate with HOV

On Saturday April 4, the Independent Workers Union made a momentous decision, when the voted to become affiliates of the Hands Off Venezuela Campaign in Ireland. Delegates at the IWU national conference in Smyth's of Fairview in Dublin, voted unanimously to endorse the motion by the Cork general branch of the Union to "Mandate the IWU to affiliate with Hands Off Venezuela".

The vote came after Fran Bowman from the Irish section of HOV, who was an invited guest of the conference, spoke on the political context in Venezuela and gave an overview of the work of HOV. In his speech, Fran outlined the transition during the Chavez Government, from reformism to a more open commitment to establishing a socialist political system in Venezuela. He also cited the aftermath of the coup attempt of 2002 as being a key juncture in the political development of Venezuela, with the elected Government of Venezuela pursuing a more openly socialist line in the post-coup period.

Proposing the motion, Donal O' Driscoll of the Cork general branch spoke of the need to show solidarity with the political project in Venezuela. He also outlined the practical implications of affiliation, including the payment of a small affiliation fee, the promotion of HOV events and the appointment of a Liaison officer with HOV.

In the aftermath of this unanimous decision, the IWU and HOV are now in the process of formalising the affiliation and promoting fraternal links between the two organisations.