Venezuelan energy union calls for labor movement refoundation from the ground up

The Venezuelan Federation of Energy Workers (Fetraenergía) has publicly called for a complete "refoundation" of the nation's labor union movement. The federation argues that current unions are trapped in bureaucratic structures, subservient to political interests, and disconnected from the workers they are meant to represent. Fetraenergía believes that merely changing leaders is insufficient; a fundamental shift in the entire model is necessary.

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The workers must decide who represents them.

In a statement from its National Executive Committee, Fetraenergía described Venezuelan unionism as being in a critical state, dominated by leaders who perpetuate their power, negotiate behind workers' backs, and control internal elections. Simultaneously, a new movement is emerging, demanding autonomy, internal democracy, and genuine capacity for action. The federation stressed that this transformation must be rooted in "free, transparent, and democratic elections," rejecting deals made by elites or top-down appointments.

Fetraenergía asserted the workers' right to establish new unions in areas lacking organizations that defend their interests, free from "persecution, discrimination, and interference from employers or politicians." The call targets the government, political parties, and employers as sources of undue influence. "We want a unionism that is autonomous from the employer, autonomous from the government, and autonomous from political parties, whose only fundamental legitimacy comes from organized workers," the statement reiterated.

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We want a unionism that is autonomous from the employer, autonomous from the government, and autonomous from political parties, whose only fundamental legitimacy comes from organized workers.

The federation's objective is not to replace one leadership with another but to dismantle the "government of the elites" itself. They demand that workers have access to their organizations' financial records, the ability to elect and recall leaders, decide on collective contracts, and participate directly in union decisions, rather than being summoned only for votes, marches, or photo opportunities. Fetraenergía acknowledges the difficulty of this transformation, anticipating resistance from those benefiting from the old model, but insists that bureaucratic structures cannot indefinitely suppress workers' will. The new generation of unionists must reclaim internal democracy, collective bargaining, union freedom, grassroots participation, and solidarity across productive sectors.

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No bureaucratic structure can indefinitely stop the will of the workers.