May Day Success For Union Island

May Day Success For Union Island

The May Day events in Second Life's Union Island supported by the TUC and many European trade unions and UNI The Global Union went off with a party atmosphere, as many trade unionists from as far afeiled as the USA, Eurpope and Mongolia; gathered to discuss multi national union policy and events around the world which affect workers.

Displays and exhibitions were in evidence as you might expect on an island dedicated to trade Unionism. From the history of the Labour movement, Reasons for Joining Trade unions, to a photographic exhibition, and the minimum wage campaign in Germany exhibition; not to mention a library and of course the obligatory Bar!

Virtual drinks of all kinds were served by a very chatty and friendly bar person, and those of us who remained late in the day, were subjected to a little techno fun as our avatars suddenly shrunk in size, making the bar and all furniture much taller than all of us.

Even a colleague from the TUC in the UK managed to get herself stuck on the roof of the Bar as she grappled with the technology of moving her avatar around the bar. Rumour was that it was due to the amount of virtual alcohol she had consumed!

TUC officials ware on hand to help visitors with technical glitches or just to welcome trade unionists from around the world.

As in real life (known as 1st life), much of the socialising and work took place in the bar, with a serious policy statement being agreed with those present in relation to the political situation in Zimbabwe which has already resulted in the deaths of numerous political activists, trade unionists and political figures.

Not to mention the hundreds of appalling injuries metered out to the ordinary citizen.

The words of the statement are as follows:

UNION ISLAND MAY DAY STATEMENT ON ZIMBAWE

WE the unionists participating in this first and historic virtual May Day celebrations are outraged by the developments in Zimbabwe.

On this May Day we express solidarity with our struggling comrades in Zimbabwe; in the trade unions, and the rural areas, the youth and women's movement religious organisations and all formations of civil society who have for the last decade struggled for democracy in Zimbabwe.

We express solidarity We demand the immediate release of the election results.

We appeal to the Independent Electoral Commission not to intimidated by the the ZANU ruling party or the armed forces in carrying out its responsibility to let DEMOCRACY prevail in Zimbabwe.

We are particularly concerned with the continuing raids on MDC offices and the mass arrests of their supporters.

We call on the Zimbabwean government to immediately and unconditional release the more than three hundred MDC members who have reportedly been arrested.

We further call for the return of the property stolen by the armed forces during these raids.

We express our disappointment in the failure of the South African government and President Mbeki as mediators in its failure to act in accordance with acceptable democratic traditions upheld in South Africa and the world over.

We call on the South African government and President Mbeki to act more decisively in its role as mediator and neighbouring democracy. 

We call on all unionists to extend solidarity to the protests planned by COSATU for 17 May 2008.

Pamberi 'nChimurenga!
Amadla
Power is Ours.

The success of the day and that of last year's IBM Protest, shows that Second Life, whilst being a virtual world, can mirror 1st Life and be an effective place for Trade Unions.

It is hoped that more people will join those already in Second Life from the Trade Unions in the Uk and around the world.