AFT postcard campaign protests arrests of Chinese labor leaders

American Teacher, Nov 2006

Perhaps in no place in the world today is the struggle for labor rights more difficult than in China, where despite the Chinese government's membership in the World Trade Organization and the International Labor Organization, labor organizers and activists face stark difficulties in their work. Far too often, efforts to provide a voice for workers are met by brutal government oppression, including the arrest and incarceration of labor organizers on trumped-up charges, such as "endangering state security" or "engaging in counterrevolutionary propaganda."

The AFT has developed a powerful postcard campaign to raise awareness of the Chinese government's oppression of labor activists. Hundreds of cards, pre-addressed to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., were distributed and signed at the AFT convention in Boston this past summer. The card includes the names of some leading labor dissidents in China and demands that the Chinese government respect the rights of workers to organize and to join independent trade unions.

Here are some of the labor activists we are asking the Chinese government to release from jail and the length of their sentences:

Gao Hongming, eight years

Gao was arrested and charged with "incitement to subvert state power" in 1999. Gao played a leading role in establishing both the China Free Workers Union, an autonomous labor group, and the now banned China Democratic Party.

He Chaohui, nine years

He was arrested in May 1999 on charges of "endangering state security." He is alleged to have informed foreign human rights groups about workers' protests throughout China.

Hu Shigen, 20 years

Hu was a founder of the Free Labor Union of China and the China Labor Democratic Party. Hu was arrested in 1992 and charged with "organizing a counter-revolutionary group" and "engaging in counterrevolutionary propaganda."

Li Wangyang, 10 years

Li was arrested for staging a 22-day hunger strike in an attempt to obtain medical compensation for injuries sustained during his last 12-year prison term. Li was charged with "incitement to subvert state power" and sentenced to 10 additional years.

Liu Jian, life sentence

Liu, a former worker at the Xiangten Electrical Plant, participated in a demonstration to protest the government's violent suppression of the pro-democracy movement. He was charged with "hooliganism" and "intentional injury."

Shao Liangchen, 17 years

Shao was a leading member of the Ji'nan Autonomous Federation during the May 1989 pro-democracy rallies. He was tried and sentenced to death on charges of "sabotaging communications equipment." His sentence was reduced to a 17-year term.

She Wanbao, 11.5 years

She was a labor organizer and a member of the China Democratic Party. He was arrested and charged with "subversion" in connection with his CDP activities. He was previously convicted in 1989 of counterrevolutionary propaganda and served four years in prison.

Yao Fuxin, seven years

Yao was elected as the spokesperson of the All Liaoyang Bankrupt and Unemployed Workers' Provisional Union. Yao helped to organize a series of protest demonstrations, and was charged with "illegal assembly and demonstration."

Yue Tianxing, 10 years

Yue set up a journal called the Child Labour Monitor. He published various articles on labor rights and called for government action on labor issues. Yue was found guilty of "subversion of state power."

Zhang Shanguang, 10 years

After his release in 1998 from a sevenyear prison sentence, Zhang founded the Association to Protect the Rights of Laid-Off Workers and attempted to register the organization with the government. Police detained Zhang, and he was charged with "passing intelligence to hostile overseas organizations" and "incitement to subvert state power."

If you would like to receive 50 postcards to distribute at your workplace or in your community, they are available for free from the AFT international affairs department. Send an e-mail to Gregory King (gking@aft.org) and ask for a supply of China Labor Postcards. Include your mailing address and the name of your local AFT affiliate.