Union chief Richard Trumka deplores Syrian slaughter

Source: Politico

LOS ANGELES — AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka said Sunday that the slaughter of civilians in Syria is “deplorable” and hinted at possible union support for a more robust international response to the humanitarian crisis there.

On the opening day of the AFL-CIO’s quadrennial convention, Trumka said the labor giant had not yet taken a position on a potential military intervention in Syria. He said AFL-CIO executive council would debate the issue and “ultimately make a decision.”

But as Congress prepares to vote on a resolution authorizing the use of military force against Syrian President Bashar Assad, Trumka expressed horror at the dictator’s use of weapons of mass destruction against his own people.

“Here’s what I do know: I know that there are over 100,000 people killed in Syria, and I know that each and every one of them was a tragedy,” Trumka said at a briefing, emphasizing the importance of aiding Syrians who have been displaced from their homes. “I know the international community is not responding effectively enough to help those people.”




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