30 May, 2024Threats to freedom of association, the right to strike, ongoing wars and organizing were some of the issues on the agenda at IndustriALL’s executive committee meeting in Geneva on 23-24 May.
In her first opening address as IndustriALL’s first female president, Marie Nilsson from Swedish union IF Metall, reminded the executive that even though challenges like technological changes, wars, threats to democracy, climate change and artificial intelligence may seem worn out at times, it is important that unionists continue to talk about it until workers feel secure in the transition. She stressed that there is no stronger force for democracy, freedom and sustainability than organized workers in free democratic trade unions.
“Organizing workers is our most important task. In all factories, in all mines, in all laundries, our comrades should be asked- ‘do you want to join a union?’ The answer is yes, in every single workplace. There is nothing more important for us because a low level of organization is a problem for us. An attack on your rights is an attack on mine. This is the base of our federation and the foundation of our solidarity,”
says Marie Nilsson.
Newly elected vice president Christiane Brenner, from German union IG Metall, hightlighted the importance of freedom of association:
“The most valuable thing we have is freedom of association and union busting is clear to us. We can’t tolerate companies fighting against our basic right.”
The executive committee highlighted global hotspots of workers’ rights and trade union violations including Ukraine where the government is using the war as an excuse to weaken labour law and abandon social dialogue. In Argentina, President Milei’s labour reform proposes to eliminate basic labour and social rights. In Myanmar, through IndustriALL pressure, many leading brands sourcing in Myanmar have left or are in the process of leaving the country. Discussions on Belarus’ continued disregard for workers’ rights and the arrest of countless trade unionists will continue at this year’s International Labour Conference, starting on 3 June.
On the right to strike, IndustriALL general secretary, Atle Høie, said:
“The right to strike is rooted in international law, yet for almost a decade, employers’ representatives have cast doubt on this essential right at the ILO. Late last year, the matter was referred to the International Court of Justice.
“While we support the case and are confident of a worker-friendly outcome, we don’t need a court to confirm that the right to strike is fundamental for workers to get a fair deal and democracy at work.”
The executive also heard about the breakthrough for the textile and garment industry in Cambodia, IndustriALL is signing legally binding agreements with global brands, for the first time achieving brand-supported collective bargaining agreements in the sector.
“This is a significant breakthrough supported by the Cambodian unions that will bring sustainable development to everyone in the industry. The agreement will hold everyone responsible and promotes social dialogue, which will mean increased competitiveness, better wages and better working conditions,”
said Athit Kong president of CCAWDU.
Shawn Fain, UAW president, thanked IndustriALL for the support during the organizing campaigns at Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz.
“Working class people have been left behind and we need to bargain good contracts and organizing will follow.”
Reporting from the women's committee held on 21 May, Ilvana Smajlovic, co-chair of the women’s committee, said that platforms like the women’s committee made it possible to raise issues like menopause, AI and collective bargaining as they have a huge impact on women.
AI is set to have a massive impact on workers and unions. IndustriALL’s 4.0 expert group will focus on policy development that will assist and advise in developing policies related to digitization and AI. The group will also focus on resource creation which includes development of a practical policy paper that addresses algorithm management and data privacy, skills and reskilling, occupational health and safety, redistribution of wealth and productivity, and organizing. The Global Multinational Committee, previously called Global Multinational Companies Policy Committee, have commenced its evaluation on the implementation and monitoring GFAs and enhancing trade union networks.
The June 2023 executive committee agreed to co-opt the youth as observers for future executive committee meetings until the Congress in 2025. Laya Borjal Ferrer from Associated Labour Unions (ALU-TUCP) in Philippens said:
“Thank you for allowing youth into Exco. It is important to have youth involved in AI discussions as our generation will be greatly affected.”
In order to confront global capital and build a strong and campaigning global union the executive committee resolved to release funding, over a three year period, for training for organizing and execution of corporate campaigns.
IndustriALL receives a large portion of project funding from external donors however, due to the war in Ukraine, political in many of the donor countries and fluctuations in exchange rates, project funding to IndustriALL has decreased. The executive committee resolved that IndustriALL applies for funding with traditional donors, national and multinational agencies, companies and philanthropic organizations if the funding is considered to correspond with IndustriALL objectives and the donor considered to be non-controversial.
The Executive Committee adopted two resolutions: on South Korea calling on the Korean Government and National Assembly to revise the law to implement ILO core conventions 87 and 98, and a resolution on Palestine: we stand for peace and justice.