Russian trade union leader Valentin Urusov was released from imprisonment on March 15, 2013. The Confederation of Canadian unions is proud to be among the many union federations that pressured the Russian government to investigate the allegations that Mr. Urusov’s detainment was motivated by the desire of the Russian authorities to stop his legitimate union activities at the state-owned Alrosa mining company.
The CCU commends the work of the Russian union federation KTR in mobilizing the global labour movement and the International Labour Organization to draw attention to the labour and human rights abuses at the heart of Mr. Urusov’s case.
The CCU unreservedly supports the right of all trade unionists in Canada and around the globe to engage in union activities and to practice free association in a climate free of discrimination and intimidation on the part employers or the state.
We join our fellow unionists in Russia and the global trade union movement in demanding that all charges against Valentin Urusov be withdrawn.