In this issue:
Deadline to resolve bus dispute
SIPTU NEC appoints Gene Mealy as new union Vice President
Dunnes Stores attack on workers provokes escalation of dispute
Solidarity with Dunnes Stores Workers
Health Minister addresses health care assistants conference
SIPTU Health Care Assistants tell us why they are worth it
Health workers to rally for better services and jobs
Bord na Móna workers meet TDs to discuss dispute
Former Ulster Bank workers’ protest
Successful conference on future of Palestine
Dr Mona El Farra speaking to SIPTU Palestine Conference
Elaine Bradley gives eye witness account of life in Palestine
Government action needed to end home helps’ zero-hour contracts
Zero-hour contracts and low pay the norm for young workers
Aer Lingus assurances concerning proposed takeover are inadequate
Water: Public resource or private commodity?
Global Action Day
Belfast GAA club in Industrial Tribunal over failure to pay redundancy
Cuba and US presidents hold historic talks
Cuba Dublin Festival
Cuban Film Festival
Call for clinical review of new psychiatric unit on CUH campus
Support for re-opening of Lagan Brick production plant
May Day 2015
Irish Equity supports call for halt to cuts in Northern Ireland cultural sector
Retained fire-fighters commit to industrial action if unsafe changes imposed
Yes to Equality
Support for Pfizer decision not to close Little Island plant
Additional funding for patient care at University Hospital Galway
New Activists training in the Community Sector
Seminar for frontline services
Polish Cultural Night
Ecumenical service of remembrance for children killed in the Easter Rising, Dublin
Low pay must top political agenda
Reducing inequality will not happen on its own – explicit policies are needed
NERI Seminar: A Future Worth Working For
Young Workers Network
Seán Murray Marxist‐Leninist and Irish Socialist Republican by Seán Byers
Docklands Book Sale
SIPTU Members Home Insurance
SIPTU Travel Insurance
Get up to 80% off* Car Insurance
taxback.com - 10% Discount
SIPTU Basic English Scheme
Fairshop
Larkin Credit Union
Fair Hotel
Useful links
Send to a friend »Subscribe »Search past issues »Contact us »Print all articles »

siptu2

siptu4



Visit our website
Cuba and US presidents hold historic talks

An historic press conference between Presidents Raúl Castro and Barack Obama took place on Saturday, 11th April during the Summit of the Americas in Panama. It marked the first meeting between a president of Cuba and the US for more than 50 years, and Cuba’s first ever attendance.

Addressing the Summit, Castro called for an end to the US blockade against his country which he said harmed his people and was a “violation of international law.”

In his 49 minute speech – which he joked was because Cuba had been excluded from six previous Summits, therefore deserved six times the recommended length – he summarised the history of US attacks on Cuba, but praised President Obama for vowing to end the blockade who he said was not to blame for the US legacy. “While the blockade exists ... we have to keep fighting and support President Obama in his intentions to end the blockade,” he said.

The two presidents also met for an hour outside the Summit and took part in a press conference during which Obama told the world’s media: "This shift in US policy represents a turning point for our entire region,” adding, “I can say with all sincerity that the essence of my policy is that the people of Cuba can live in freedom and security where their talents and ingenuity can thrive.”

”We are willing to discuss everything, but we need to be patient, very patient,” said President Castro in response. “We might disagree on something today on which we could agree tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, the official Civil Society Forums running parallel to the main Summit were marred by accusations that the US was paying for ‘dissidents’ with no following in Cuba to represent Cuban civil society in meetings.

Read more here.

Facebook Twitter
Newsletter Marketing Powered by Newsweaver