July, 30 2010, 12:18pm EDT
Congressional Leaders Unveil New Legislation on Zimbabwe
Africa Action Calls the ‘Zimbabwe Renewal Act of 2010’ a ‘Major Step Forward for the People of Zimbabwe’
WASHINGTON
Africa
Action, the oldest human rights organization focused exclusively on
Africa, celebrates the introduction of the Zimbabwe Renewal Act of 2010
(H.R. 5971) in the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Congressmen Payne, and cosponsored by over 35 members of
Congress, the new legislation aims to bring about a major shift in U.S.
policy that is significant to the democratic transition in Zimbabwe and
aligns with the latest political and economic developments on the
ground.
Gerald LeMelle, executive director of Africa Action said,
"This is a promising day for everyone who supports democracy and
development in Zimbabwe. The new legislation is a major step forward
for the people of Zimbabwe."
Africa Action, in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Alliance - a
collaboration of like-minded partners working within a human rights
framework to promote a successful democratic transition in Zimbabwe, has
been working to bring about such a policy shift in the U.S.
government.
Michael Stulman, associate director for policy and communications added,
"The House of Representatives and Senate must work together now in
light of the opportunity that exists to build robust democratic
institutions and strengthen democratic actors in Zimbabwe."
Key provisions of the Zimbabwe Renewal Act of 2010 include:
- Establishing a multi-donor human rights trust fund and support
crucial sectors, like health care, education, agriculture, clean water
and an emergency vocational work program for youth in Zimbabwe - Instructing the Secretary of the Treasury to forgive Zimbabwe's
bilateral debt, and in consultation with the Secretary of State, gather
information on the feasibility and advisability of restructuring,
rescheduling, or eliminating such debt in the future - Maintaining targeted sanctions against individuals who continue
to undermine the democratic processes and review and update existing
sanctions to reflect changing conditions on the ground
For more information and analysis on Zimbabwe, visit https://www.africaaction.org/zimbabwe.html or visit the Zimbabwe Alliance website,
https://www.zimbabwealliance.org
Africa Action is a national organization that works for political, economic and social justice in Africa. Through the provision of accessible information and analysis combined with the mobilization of public pressure we work to change the policies and policy-making processes of U.S. and multinational institutions toward Africa. The work of Africa Action is grounded in the history and purpose of its predecessor organizations, the American Committee on Africa (ACOA), The Africa Fund, and the Africa Policy Information Center (APIC), which have fought for freedom and justice in Africa since 1953. Continuing this tradition, Africa Action seeks to re-shape U.S. policy toward African countries.
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Workers at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, became the first Southern autoworkers not employed by one of the Big Three car manufacturers to win a union Friday night when they voted to join the United Auto Workers by a "landslide" majority.
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The Chattanooga workers announced their current union drive in December 2023. Friday's victory follows two failed unionization attempts at the plant in 2014 and 2019.
"We saw the big contract that UAW workers won at the Big Three and that got everybody talking," Zachary Costello, a trainer in VW's proficiency room, said in a statement. "You see the pay, the benefits, the rights UAW members have on the job, and you see how that would change your life. That's why we voted overwhelmingly for the union. Once people see the difference a union makes, there's no way to stop them."
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"Today, I joined fellow governors in opposing the UAW's unionization campaign," Lee said on social media Tuesday. "We want to keep good-paying jobs and continue to grow the American auto manufacturing sector. A successful unionization drive will stop this growth in its tracks, to the detriment of American workers."
However, Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones (D-52) celebrated the win.
"Watching history tonight in Chattanooga, as Volkswagen workers voted in a landslide to join the UAW," he wrote on social media Friday night. "Despite pressure from Gov. Lee, this is the first auto plant in the South to unionize since the 1940s. This incredible victory for labor will transform Tennessee and the South!"
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Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, said the win "shows what we already know—workers in every part of this country want the freedom to join a union, and when we stand together, we have tremendous power. Even though the deck is stacked against us, momentum is on our side, and we're winning."
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said: "This is a huge victory not only for UAW workers at Volkswagen, but for every worker in America. The tide is turning. Workers all across the country, even in our most conservative states, are sick and tired of corporate greed and are demanding economic justice."
"I think it's a great push for the entire South, and people will follow suit."
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) called the results "an utterly historic victory for the working class."
"Tennessee is shining bright tonight," she wrote on social media Friday. "We are in a new era. Congratulations to the courageous workers in Chattanooga and the entire UAW. Absolutely heroic. Solidarity IS the strategy—across the South, and all over the country."
More Perfect Union said the victory would "change the auto industry, and the future of American labor," and the campaign organizers themselves are aware of the importance of what they've accomplished.
"We understand that the world's watching us," worker Isaac Meadows, who has been at the plant for one year, told More Perfect Union. "You know there's a labor movement in this country, you know, we're poised to be the first domino of many to fall."
Worker Kelcey Smith, who has also been at the plant for one year, added, "I think it's a great push for the entire South, and people will follow suit."
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"The real fight begins now," Fain told cheering workers. "The real fight is getting your fair share. The real fight is the fight to get more time with your families. The real fight is the fight for our union contract."
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