Steel workers union leader Kouadria Smain addresses a mass meeting.

Rank-and-file trade unionists and the leaders of key regions of Algeria’s largest union federation, the UGTA, have called a rally on Wednesday 17 April demanding the immediate resignation of Federation General Secretary Sidi Said, a staunch supporter of the old regime. Said has already announced that he has no intention of seeking re-election, but activists want him to quit now.

A meeting on 15 April in the UGTA union offices in the industrial city of Rouiba, where workers at the SNVI car factory have played a leading role in strikes supporting the mass movement against Bouteflika, called on the rank-and-file to join a rally 9.30 on 17 April to reclaim the UGTA. The meeting included regional union secretaries from Saïda, Tlemcen, Tizi Ouzou, Béjaïa, Ouargla, members of the UGTA National Executive from more than 21 provinces, and representatives of the National Federation of Workers in the Mechanical, Metal, Electrical and Electronic Industries.

Regional union leaders and rank-and-file activists meet in Rouiba – photo Chadly Boufaroua via Facebook

Steel workers union leader Kouadria Smain told Middle East Solidarity that the slogans for Wednesday’s protest will be: “All out to win the UGTA back for the class struggle. All out to kick the regime and the oligarchs out of the UGTA. All out to get rid of Sidi Said and his clique.”

What you can do:

• Send a message of solidarity to trade unions and student unions in Algeria – email menasolidarity@gmail.com and we will pass it on or let you know where to send direct
• Send a message of protest to the Algerian embassy in London, demanding an end to repression of demonstrations and the immediate release of all political detainees. Email  info@algerianembassy.org.uk. Phone numbers here: http://www.algerianembassy.org.uk/index.php/contact-us.html
• Take a picture and share on social media with this sign [algeria_solidarity_poster].Tweet to @MENASolidarity or share on our Facebook
• Download a copy of our briefing on teachers’ struggles with a model motion: [Teachers_MENA_2019]