"Hello my friends!

First and foremost, all of you who are there receive a warm hug. Although my hope has been to be there, I am again forced from prison to transmit this little message.

Nine years ago I gave the witness to Ainhoa at the Congress of Barakaldo and today Ainhoa will pass it on to Garbiñe. Despite spending most of that time in prison, I have closely followed the activity of the union and felt its support. The act, the visit or the gestures of solidarity shown through the letters have given me strength to face the prison. So thank you very much for your support.

Over the years, LAB has been increasing employee confidence in all territories. Although the offensive of neoliberalism has hurt the activity of syndicalism, you have been there fighting with class power in both the small and general struggles of the working class in the Basque Country. Those of us who were born in this sense should be very proud of the work and contribution made by our union. In my opinion, we have been pioneers of many things and, taking advantage of the work of Chinauri, we have gradually gained legitimacy. As I said, we have invented and pioneered many things:

The first and central was the nature of the Syndicate. In addition to being a class patriotic union, we were clear from the beginning that we are a sociopolitical union. We always knew that the class struggle did not end on the walls of a company, because the profile and dimension of the class struggle was related to the socio-economic model, precisely because it was related to political change. That’s where the work of comptroller came from. And in view of the evolution of capitalism, we can say that we have fully invented ourselves in this nature.

There are other areas where the pioneering role of LAB has been notable, including: Starting with our structures in which we opened paths in the struggle for women, the LAB union for Basque has been the one that took significant steps to expand the Basque language both internally and in the workers’ movement and that has them, the LAB for national character is the only union that has a national structure or we have been the first union that gave space to the new generations.

Therefore, LAB has shown the ability to adapt and innovate its own model. So far this has been the case and, looking ahead, although the context is very variable, it will be the case. For this reason, I would like to remind you of the great contributions that we have made to the union in this way and that we do not currently have with us: Joselu Cereceda, Manu Aranburu, Félix “Nerón”, Elkoroiribe, Alberto Pelaez, Jon Solagurenbea, Igor Urrutikoetxea, Periko, Idigoras... Wherever they are, they will be very proud to see the current LAB.

Having said that, I would like to give you a brief overview of the situation. The strategic change of the Patriotic Left opens a new phase offering new opportunities to the struggle for the Basque State. New phases and challenges require new tools. Today, in my opinion, many forces are articulated in favor of political and social change, but these are quite dispersed. With little integration, we need new levers to build paths to collective illusion.

When it comes to making the change, in the face of a new scenario that may come, there is one element that is well used by the enemies: fear. One authority said: “It is terrible that the people pierce the fear.” This is what needs to be done, the Basque working class needs confidence and enthusiasm to lose its “fear” of change.

Well, friends, in this Congress Ainhoa and Jabi leave their responsibilities, Garbine and Igor taking these main references. Jabi and Ainhoa have led a fruitful stage throughout these years, together with all the other members. And I am sure that the new colleagues will meet well the challenge they face, as well as the entire union. Everyone, because all individuals make up the LAB.

From El Dueso, but with your heart and mind at your side, cheer up and go ahead with GORA LAB, GORA EUSKAL OBRERIA!"