Central American Labor Defense Network records BANC MSS 93/95 m
Marjorie Bryer
The Bancroft Library
May 2023
The Bancroft Library
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
bancref@library.berkeley.edu
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Central American Labor Defense Network records
Creator:
Central American Labor Defense Network
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 93/95 m
Physical Description:
6.45 linear feet
(5 cartons, 1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1971-1991
Abstract: The collection contains materials related to labor struggles in Central America, and solidarity between trade unionists in
the United States and Central America. These are not the organizational records of the Central American Labor Defense Network,
but they do document the pro-labor campaigns the organization participated in, and the support the Network gave to trade unionists
in Central America.
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Language of Material:
English
, Spanish; Castilian
.
Collection is open for research.
No future additions are expected.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Central American Labor Defense Network records were given to The Bancroft Library in 1992 by the Central American Labor
Defense Network, via Executive Director, Jenya Cassidy.
There are no alternative forms of this collection.
The Central American Labor Defense Network (CALDN) was an international solidarity network that provided a way for unionists
across the Americas to support each other. CALDN supported trade unionists and defended progressive, democratic unions in
Central America. Often this meant responding when union members in Central America were kidnapped, incarcerated, or killed,
when unions were busted, or organizers were threatened. Members of the network authorized CALDN to send telexes in their name
or place ads in Central American newspapers protesting violations of the rights of trade unionists. CALDN's newsletter provided
information about, and mobilized U.S. workers in support of, Central American trade unionists.
[Identification of item], Central American Labor Defense Network records, BANC MSS 93/95 m,The Bancroft Library, University
of California, Berkeley.
Arranged to the folder level
Processed by Marjorie Bryer in 2023.
The collection contains materials related to labor struggles in Central America, and solidarity between trade unionists in
the United States and Central America. These are not the organizational records of CALDN, but they do document the support
the Network gave to trade unionists in Central America and the pro-labor campaigns the organization participated in. A note
with the collection indicates these are the files of Executive Director Jenya Cassidy and "Al" - who is likely Al Weintrub,
editor of the Network's newsletter.
Materials include brochures and pamphlets; convention proceedings; correspondence; documentation of campaigns and events;
information packets; mass mailings; news clippings; newsletters, newspapers, position papers, reports, and other publications;
resolutions; and working files, with notes and drafts. Subjects include trade union activities; repression of, and human rights
violations against, trade unionists; and U.S. foreign policy. The scope covers all of Central America, but the bulk of the
materials focus on struggles in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
The original order was maintained, and contents of folders were not sorted, so materials on the same topics can be found in
different containers. This means there may also be some duplication. Original titles were retained.
Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond
that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
For additional information about the University of California, Berkeley Library's permissions policy please see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/permissions-policies
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Central American Labor Defense Network
Labor movement -- Central America.
Labor unions -- Central America.
Labor unions -- Political activity -- Central America.
Central America -- Politics and government -- 1979-
Series 1. Jenya Cassidy Files 1983-1988
Physical Description: Carton 1
A note in the collection indicates that these are the files of Executive Director Jenya Cassidy. Consists of documentation
of specific campaigns and events. Types of materials include conference documents, fundraising materials, invitations, mass
mailings, press packets and press releases, reports, and statements. Primarily contains materials related to the following:
The International Trade Union Conference for Peace (in Managua, Nicaragua, 1984); a West Coast Trade Union Delegation to Nicaragua
(1984); the West Coast Tour of Central American Trade Unionists (1984); the April 25 Spring Mobilization for peace and justice
in Central America and South Africa (1987); In Search of Peace: A U.S.-El Salvador Conference (1986); the Central American
Labor Leaders East Coast Tour (1985); slides shows on Nicaragua and El Salvador; the Salvadoran Social Security Institute
Workers' Union (STISSS) campaign to defend Salvadoran Hosptial Workers Union (1988); the Coca Cola campaign; the Emergency
National Council against U.S. Intervention in Central America/The Caribbean (1987); the U.S tour of the Nicaraguan Health
Workers Federation (1984); and the Federation of Central American Teachers' Organizations tour (FOMCA) (approximately 1985)
Series 2. Files of "Al" [Weintrub] 1971-1991
Physical Description: Cartons 2-5, Box 1
Files of "Al" - who is likley Al Weintrub, editor of the CALDN newsletter and managing editor of The Labor Report on Central
America. Some materials were sorted and filed by subject; others were labeled miscellaneous, or were not foldered. The records
are related to trade union activities, and workers rights and human rights (and violations thereof) in Central America, particularly
in El Salvador and Nicaragua. There are materials on women and farm workers.
Types of material include working files on unions and individual trade unionists (with notes and drafts); reports; information
packets; convention proceedings and resolutions on Central America; news clippings (original and photocopies); and published
materials, such as monographs and serials.
Organizations represented include: the AFL-CIO, Americas Watch, the American Institute for Free Labor Development (AIFLD),
ASTTEL Union (La Asociación Salvadoreña de Trabajadores de Telecomunicaciones, El Salvador), the Salvadoran Labor Defense
Network, the Labor Network on Central America, the Canadian Labour Congress, the Institute for Latin American Studies, Amnesty
International, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. Also includes issues of Barricada
Internacional - the international biweekly of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (1987-1991).
Carton 2
1978-1990
Includes materials related to the International Trade Union Meeting of Peace (1984), and files related to the trade union
movements in Nicaragua and El Salvador. These include clippings and reports related to, and by, the American Institute for
Free Labor Development [AIFLD] and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Unions [AFL-CIO]). Topics related
to Nicaragua include women and teachers, Contras, and farm workers' unions. There are Action Alerts and other information
from and about the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES). Publications include Desper Tar Proletario,
El Paquetazo, and Counter-Spy. Materials related to AFL-CIO policy and their convention in Central America include newsletters;
commentary from the Labor Network on Central America; and briefs, newsletters, reports, and resolutions from the American
Institute for Free Labor Development (AIFLD). (The AFL-CIO established AIFLD in the western hemisphere in 1961.)
Carton 3
1971-1991
Materials from the AFL-CIO convention, its Executive Council, and its and Department of International Affairs. These include
newsletters, position papers, mass mailings, invitations, clippings, and reports. There are also publications and reports
from labor organizations about workers' issues in Central America. These include the following topics and cover the following
countries: U.S. policy in Central America, Canada and Central America, human rights, Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico, Costa Rica,
El Salvador, and Guatemala. There are issues of the AIFLD Review (1971), Revista Semanal Resumen (1987), the Central America
Information Bulletin (1988), and Barricada Internacional" (from Nicaragua, 1987-1991).
Carton 4
1973-1991
Consists of drafts of articles, flyers, labor education manuals, mass mailings, news clippings, newsletters, press releases,
and publications related to labor struggles, education, and U.S. policy in Central America. Includes copies of Barricada Internacional
(1988-1991), and materials related to the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers, the Black labor movement, Canada and
Central America, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. There are assessment manuals; copies of the CLDN publications (such
as Labor Action), and drafts of articles by the Network; and Urgent Action Bulletins.
Carton 5
1982-1991
Includes material that documents human rights abuses and the repression of labor in Central America, particularly in El Salvador
and Guatemala. Documents related to the American Institute for Free Labor Development (AIFLD) and the AFL-CIO include briefs,
mass mailings, memos, and newsletters, a conference on the promotion of democratic trade unionism abroad, and critiques of
the Americas Watch Report on Labor Rights in El Salvador. Other trade unions, organizers, and campaigns represented include
the CAUSE Campaign (Central American Union Solidary Effort), the Julio Portillo and Coca-Cola campaigns, Febe Velasquez, a
tour of Salvadoran Labor Leaders (National Unity of Salvadoran Workers - UNTS), earthquake relief, the Electrical workers
union in Guatemala (STINDE), and ASTTEL (La Asociación Salvadoreña de Trabajadores de Telecomunicaciones) in El Salvador.
Includes issues of the Guatemalan Labor News, and materials from the Labor Network on Central America and Amensty International.