26 May, 2011The principles for creating a new global union federation that unites industrial and manufacturing workers around the world were adopted by a joint executive meeting of IMF, ICEM and ITGLWF on May 25, 2011.
GENEVA: A joint meeting of the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF), International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) and International Textile, Garment & Leather Workers' Federation (ITGLWF) Executives on May 25 considered and adopted a series of proposals on the road to creating a new industrial and manufacturing workers' global union federation.
The decisions of the joint meeting focused on questions of governance, affiliation fees, regional and sectoral structures and voting rights in the new organisation. It was also decided that a working group would be established to prepare an action plan for the new organisation.
If approved by the decision making bodies of the three GUFs later this year, the founding congress of the new International will take place in Copenhagen from June 18 to 20, 2012.
The Presidents of IMF, ICEM and ITGLWF all expressed their commitment to the new federation that will unite industrial and manufacturing workers as a powerful global force capable of defending workers' rights.
Earlier in the day, the executive of the ITGLWF elected Klaus Priegnitz of IG Metall as its General Secretary, replacing outgoing Patrick Itschert, who earlier in May was elected as deputy General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
Also meeting in the morning of May 25, the IMF Executive Committee opened with a short report from IMF-JC President Koichiro Nishihara on devastation that hit the people of Japan following the earthquake and tsunami of March 11. Nishihara also expressed his thanks for the support and solidarity received from the IMF and its affiliates at this time.
Tahar Berberi General Secretary of the FGME-UGTT in Tunisia reported on the revolution taking place in his country and the role the union is playing to channel the hopes of the people and ensure that the revolution results in genuine improvements to people's lives.
The IMF Executive Committee also welcomed Juan Linares a union leader of the National Mexican Mine and Metal Workers Union (SNTMMSRM), who was released from prison on February 24, 2011 after two years. The meeting of the IMF Executive Committee continues in Geneva on May 26, 2011.