Illinois Labor groups join in resolution supporting Ukraine

Belleville, IL – Metro-East Labor groups have begun the process of signing onto the stern resolution supporting Ukraine against Russia that was approved in March by the St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council.

The Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council read the resolution at its April 19 meeting and approved it unanimously. The Greater Madison County Federation of Labor plans to approve it as soon as possible, said its president, B. Dean Webb.

The Southwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council executive board has approved it and will bring it up at the next Council meeting.

Central Labor Council President Scot Luchtefeld said he had shared the resolution with the Egyptian Building Trades Council, based in West Frankfort IL, and with the Southern Illinois Central Labor Council, also based in West Frankfort.

The strongly worded resolution states that the war has “no valid purpose” and condemns Russian leader Vladimir Putin, saying his “wanton ego has brought misery and death to innocent civilians and their families.”

STANDING WITH UKRAINE
For their efforts at committing “murder” and “indiscriminate bombing of non-military targets such a schools, hospitals, homes….killing and maiming thousands…” the Southwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council has condemned the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine.

The strongly-worded resolution passed by the Council on April 22 calls on the “Russian people to continue protesting to show their disapproval of the megalomaniac (Vladimir Putin)  whose reckless decisions could potentially bring the world to the brink of World War III.”

The resolution, signed on behalf of the Council by retiring Executive Secretary-Treasurer Totsie Bailey as one of his last official duties before his retirement May 1, complimented the “heroic citizens and workers of Ukraine, with no military training, have taken up arms to defend their county, displaying an incredible sense of bravery and patriotism against a ruthless aggressor.”

“…this is a war of Vladimir Putin’s making and not the will of the Russian people,” the resolution stressed.

The resolution states in conclusion:

“This war has no valid purpose, we call on and support the Russian people to continue protesting to show their disapproval for this megalomaniac whose reckless decisions could potentially bring the world to the brink of World War III.”