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Great new tool<br>for trade union education

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2 September, 1999The International Metalworkers' Federation has just published a book - in cartoon format - which presents the IMF's all-important Action Programme in an easily comprehensible manner.

GENEVA: "SOLIDARITY -- Building a Global Metalworkers' Movement" is the story of Rick, a journalist in his final year of media studies, who must cover the IMF's 1997 San Francisco Congress as a final school project. Throughout the book, in cartoon format, we see how Rick learns what the labour movement is about and, in particular, what the IMF's Action Programme is all about.
In an introduction to the publication, IMF General Secretary Marcello Malentacchi states that "the major problems of our time -- poverty and inequality, unemployment, violation of human rights, wars and conflicts, degradation of the environment -- are all consequences of human action, not results of natural forces ... the IMF believes that working men and women can change the course of their lives -- and history -- by getting together and joining forces." He explains that the line of action and tasks carried out so far in the Action Programme have already yielded excellent results, however the IMF continues the process of reaching all its 22 million members.
"SOLIDARITY -- Building a Global Metalworkers' Movement" can be used in trade union education as an introduction to union issues, especially in giving a global view on trade unions. Presented in an easily comprehensible and interesting format, it is at present only available in English, but a Spanish version will come out shortly and, according to demand, several other languages as well.
Anyone interested in obtaining a copy should contact Dave Seligson at IMF headquarters, either by fax on: (41/22) 3085055 or by e-mail on: [email protected]