TESTIMONY Presented on May 18, 1990, to the sub-committee of the Committee on Finance of the Chicago City Council created to study issues concerning divestiture in South Africa.
TESTIMONY Presented on May 18, 1990, to the sub-committee of the Committee on Finance of the Chicago City Council created to study issues concerning divestiture in South Africa.
Contents: (1) Enforcement • (2) Labor Rights • (3) Financial Sanctions • (4) Parent Corporations and their Subsidiaries • (5) Non-Equity Ties • (6) Third Party Venders • Testimony presented on May 18, 1990, to the sub-committee of the Committee on Finance of the Chicago City Council created to study issues concerning divestiture in South Africa by Michael Elliott, Co-Chair, UAW Local 551 Civil Rights Committee, speaking on behalf of the Illinois Labor Network Against Apartheid. The testimony says the Illinois Labor Network Against Apartheid (Labor Network) is a coalition of unions working together against apartheid, and in solidarity with the trade union movement...
Contents: (1) Enforcement • (2) Labor Rights • (3) Financial Sanctions • (4) Parent Corporations and their Subsidiaries • (5) Non-Equity Ties • (6) Third Party Venders • Testimony presented on May 18, 1990, to the sub-committee of the Committee on Finance of the Chicago City Council created to study issues concerning divestiture in South Africa by Michael Elliott, Co-Chair, UAW Local 551 Civil Rights Committee, speaking on behalf of the Illinois Labor Network Against Apartheid. The testimony says the Illinois Labor Network Against Apartheid (Labor Network) is a coalition of unions working together against apartheid, and in solidarity with the trade union movement in South Africa; the Labor Network commends the Finance Committee for beginning hearings on this issue; the struggle for freedom in South Africa is at a critical stage; the Chicago City Council has an important opportunity to help hasten the end of apartheid and the beginning of democracy under majority rule. The testimony says the swift passage of amendments to the City's Municipal Code will send a clear message to the minority regime of SA that the people of Chicago have not been fooled by promises of "reform"; the apartheid system is morally repugnant and must be brought to an end. The testimony says the Labor Network is wholeheartedly FOR the strengthening of the existing City ordinance on South Africa, to close loopholes, to add enforcement provisions and to protect the rights of SA workers when companies disinvest. The testimony says all City agencies including the Board of Education and Transit Authority should be covered by disinvestment provisions. The testimony says most U.S. companies which have disinvested sold their assets but maintained profits through licensing, franchise and distribution agreements with the new owners. The testimony says we respectfully request swift action from the Finance Committee on disinvestment measures and to be notified of further hearings with as much advance notice time as possible given the urgency of this matter. The testimony discusses a clear and accountable enforcement process, City agencies, contracts, rights of workers, representative unions, the terms of withdrawal, disinvestment, good faith negotiations over the terms of withdrawal, bank loans, trade credits, general banking practices, indirect business ties, and UAW (United Auto Workers).
