White-collar worker:
A white-collar worker is someone whose work is involved primarily in obtaining, handling, using, manipulating, analyzing and distributing information and knowledge as opposed to goods or products – even if they touch the good or product at times
IndustriALL represents both blue-collar and white-collar workers in the metal, chemical, energy, mining, textile and related industries throughout the world.
Organizing white-collar workers is crucial for unions as industry undergoes radical change due to digitalization and new technologies blur the traditional boundaries between blue-collar and white-collar jobs.
Efforts to meet climate change targets are also depleting blue-collar jobs while creating opportunities in technical white-collar roles. And increasingly, white-collar workers are realizing the benefits of a union for the first time, as the new digital economy deprives workers of secure, permanent jobs with benefits.
White-collar workers include administrative, clerical, scientific, professional, supervisory and technical staff.
![](/sites/default/files/resize/uploads/images/publications/Telework/telework_cover-1000x618.png)
Telework
Due to the increase of telework in all sectors, including manufacturing, energy and mining, in consultation with all sectors’ and sections’ co-chairs, especially the co-chairs for the white-collar section, IndustriALL has developed principles and guidelines to support trade unions in their negotiations on legislation, policies and collective agreements on telework.
Guidelines | |||
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
ENG | ESP | FRA | JAPANESE |
Recomendations | |||
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
ENG | ESP | FRA | JAPANESE |
![](/sites/default/files/resize/uploads/images/publications/White-collar_workres/wcollar-1000x587.jpg)
Organizing white-collar workers
Building union power through organizing is a key priority for IndustriALL Global Union. Organizing helps to achieve our key goals, including a living wage, limits on precarious work, respect for human and trade union rights, healthier and safer workplaces, and more equitable societies.
Organizing white-collar workers | |||
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |