Study of Cuban labor unions

["Charles Brown" <CharlesB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

MAURICE AND JANE SUGAR LAW CENTER
FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE:

A PROJECT OF THE NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD
645 Griswold, Suite 1800 Y Detroit, Michigan 48226
Phone 313-962-6540 Y Fax 313-962-4492
E-Mail: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx Y http://www.sugarlaw.org

Contact : Marshall Rosenthal, Marilyn Katz

312/822-0505
Debra Evenson: devenson@xxxxxxx

First Comprehensive Study of the
Role of Cuba's Labor Unions Released

Report details unions' growing voice and influence

DETROIT (Nov. 19, 2001) - In the changing post-Soviet
economy, labor unions in Cuba are rapidly strengthening
their role and sphere of influence, as documented in the
first comprehensive study to be released on unions and
labor-management relations in contemporary Cuba.

According to the provocative new report, "Workers in Cuba,
Unions & Labor Relations," released today by the NLG/Maurice
and Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice,
reforms and decentralization of the Cuban economy since 1990
have obligated the unions to shed their passivity and take
on new initiatives in labor-management relations.

Based on a broad survey of Cuban law and literature and
first-hand observations of the labor-relations process on
the shop floor and at workers' meetings during the 12-months
ending in May 2001, the study examines labor policy and
workers' rights and participation within the framework of
the Cuban socialist system.

"The Cuban Workers Central (CTC), the Party and the
government are not synonymous," writes study author Debra
Evenson, an attorney and president of the Latin American
Institute for Alternative Legal Services. "The fact that the
CTC and the unions both recognize the political guidance of
the Party and implement government policies should not be
interpreted to mean that they only function to rubber stamp
decisions or are merely passive recipients of directives."

In many cases the study found that the CTC has had
significant, and at times decisive, influence on the content
of legislation.  For example:

§ "In 1995," Evenson writes, "the CTC opposed a provision in
the initial draft of the new Foreign Investment Law that
permitted direct hiring of workers; the CTC insisted on
maintaining a system of contracting workers through state
employment entities."

§ "The CTC asked for and obtained a delay in the
implementation of the 1994 tax law that would have levied a
tax on workers' wages to fund social security. The law, in
fact, requires workers to contribute 5 percent of their
salaries to the fund, but the CTC argued that salaries were
still too low to bear this cost and recommended postponing
implementation until wages had risen enough to make the
contribution affordable."

§ "Proposed legislation altering the social security system
has been returned to the drawing boards over objections
raised by the CTC."

Lance Compa, senior lecturer at Cornell University's School
of Industrial and Labor Relations, praised the study as "a
thorough account of labor law and labor relations in Cuba
and of the advances and retreats of the Cuban labor
movement."

"Dealing with a country and issues so quick to arouse
prejudice, Evenson's straightforward treatment provides a
valuable resource for labor-law and labor-policy scholars
and practitioners. It should become a standard reference in
the field," Compa said.

The study covers the key topics concerning labor rights and
union relations in Cuba today, including:

· Trade Unions in Cuba

· Employment and Hiring Policies

· Salary and Other Remuneration

· Collective Bargaining

· Grievance Procedures

· Social Security and Benefits

· Foreign Investment

Evenson, a recognized authority on Cuba, is also the author
of "Revolution in the Balance: Law and Society in
Contemporary Cuba," published by Westview Press in 1994.

Writers may obtain an executive summary or a copy of the
complete study by e-mailing Debra Evenson at
devenson@xxxxxxxx or by calling Marshall Rosenthal or
Marilyn Katz at 312/822-0505.

"Workers in Cuba, Unions and Labor Relations," a 92-page
spiral-bound report plus bibliography, is available for $10
(for individuals), or $20 (for institutions) plus $4.50
postage and handling.  To order single copies or for
information on bulk rates write to The NLG/Maurice and Jane
Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice, 733 St.
Antoine, 3rd Floor, Detroit, MI 48226, USA or by email to
mail@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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