The delegation of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform (Platform) attended the 127th anniversary ceremony of the Ecuadorian Bakers’ Union (Sociedad Unión de Panaderos de Socorro Mutuo, SUP) on the 29th in Ecuador.
Founded in 1898 following a strike by bakers, SUP is considered the oldest labor union in Ecuador. The SUP, which led the 1922 Guayaquil general strike, suffered the first casualties of the massacre on November 15, and remains the union with the highest number of victims.
The union chairperson stated, “Today, we gather here to mark the 127th anniversary,” adding, “Through countless assemblies and meetings, we have all shared one dream: to establish our own bakery school.” He further mentioned, “We plan to begin the creation of the bakery school starting next year.”
The responsible official of the Communist Party of Ecuador in Guayas province stated, “On November 13–14, 1922, over 30,000 workers led a general strike demanding wage increases, an eight-hour workday, and improved labor conditions. At the forefront of this struggle were the workers of the SUP. President José Luis Tamayo deployed the military to suppress the strike, during which many workers, including the key young activist Alfredo Baldeón of the SUP, were killed by gunfire.”
He continued, “The death of Baldeón and the massacre of workers ignited a massive uprising, which the Ecuadorian working class remembers as ‘the first bloodbath of the working class.’ The pivotal role played by the SUP in mobilization and struggle must be especially emphasized. Its influence continues to this day, deeply shaping the identity of the labor movement in Ecuador.”
The delegation of the Platform began the speech by saying, “On November 13, 1970, the worker Jeon Tae-il of the ‘Republic of Korea (ROK)’ set himself on fire to awaken workers’ consciousness, demanding compliance with the Labor Standards Act from the then military-fascist regime. In the ‘ROK,’ this day is commemorated annually on November 13 with workers’ general uprising to demonstrate the power of the workers.”
They continued, “The living conditions of workers and the people today are extremely harsh worldwide. Workers in the ‘ROK’ also suffer from low wages, long working hours, and constant industrial accidents. The greatest threat to workers is war. War is the ultimate threat, taking the lives of workers and the people. Imperialist and fascist forces are constantly striving to provoke World War 3.”
They continued, “The living conditions of workers and people today are extremely harsh worldwide. Workers in the ‘ROK’ also suffer from low wages, long working hours, and constant industrial accidents. The greatest threat to workers is war. War is the ultimate threat, taking the lives of workers and people. Imperialist and fascist forces are constantly striving to provoke World War 3.”
