19 April, 2011The latest issue of Metal World looks at the importance of organizing in different countries, describes trade unions responses to the global jobs crisis, reports on trade union networks as a means to ensure an equal playing field for workers and profiles Peta Thomson and Stephanie Eastcott, promoting better women's participation in trade unions.
GLOBAL: New issue of the IMF magazine Metal World was published today, 19 April 2011. The magazine is now available for reading and download on the IMF website.
This issue features organizing and reports on the experience of organizing unions in Russia, India, Zambia, Colombia, Australia and the U.S. and argues that effective organizing is of paramount importance to building strong unions capable of achieving real gains through collective bargaining and having an impact on national public policies.
While the global economy is showing signs of recovery, unemployment is still a major problem for many workers and their unions. Three trade unions in three countries are defending workers' rights in response to the global jobs crisis, each according to their strengths and national situation. Read about responses of trade unions to the impact of the global crisis on workers' jobs in the Metal World feature 'Unions fight back for secure jobs'.
One of the IMF's goals is to ensure an equal playing field for workers that goes beyond minimum standards. That is why the IMF stresses the importance of creating networks in transnational companies to promote solidarity and cooperation between trade unions representing workers in these companies. Check out the IMF special report on trade union networks in transnational companies.
The back page profiles Peta Thomson and Stephanie Eastcott, committed and passionate members of the IMF affiliate Australian Workers' Union (AWU) talking about the importance of unions taking steps to encourage greater women's participation in unions.