Cargando...With the credential of having attended the 20th and 21st Congresses of the Workers’ Central Union of Cuba (CTC), Ibrahim Montero Laffita, general secretary of the union bureau at the “Pedro Díaz Cuello” School of Sports Initiation in Holguín, is preparing to participate in the 22nd edition of the great workers’ gathering, carrying the voice of a center that trains future ambassadors of sport.
Montero Laffita, with 20 years of experience as a union leader and currently a retired teacher who has returned to work, does not hide the pride he feels for his school and for the trust of his colleagues, who had no hesitation in electing him as a Direct Delegate.
He works as an English teacher, handling eight groups, while fulfilling a union mission he assumed out of true vocation. “Defending workers is one of the tasks I enjoy most,” he affirms, quoting Lázaro Peña: “That representation of my people is the credential I proudly bear.”
His main motivation for attending the Congress is to present the concerns of the school’s workers, convinced that this space for dialogue will contribute to finding solutions. Among the issues he plans to raise are the need to strengthen recognition of EIDE teachers, noting that salary differences compared to other specialized institutions have affected staff retention.
Another matter he considers essential is the availability of teaching materials. He hopes that, when conditions allow, workers will be provided more frequently with resources such as paper, notebooks, and pencils.
Montero Laffita values the union’s role as a fundamental pillar within the workplace. He believes that effective union functioning, together with harmony between the Party, administration, and workers, ensures everything runs smoothly. “The union must be strong,” he emphasizes, “and earn the support of the workers. If the workers follow you, everything moves forward.”
For this direct delegate, the union must not be an assistant or spokesperson for the administration, but an independent entity that looks after its members. He insists that clarity in roles is key to maintaining unity in the workforce.
His personal story speaks of dedication and resilience. In 2013, freshly operated on, he still attended the 20th Congress. “I was there because it had to be done.”
Today, on the road to the 22nd CTC Congress, Ibrahim Montero carries the same commitment and the support of a school that, despite daily challenges, remains firm in its mission. “My people are proud that I am the one representing them,” he says with satisfaction, “and I am proud of them too.”
