In this issue
UNISON International seminar 2015
Trade agreements - impact on public
services
Swaziland - trade union rights
restricted
South Africa trade union leader visits
UNISON
Banana Link appeal for sacked Colombian
workers
Tamil Solidarity
Qatar - rights of migrant workers under
the spotlight
Nicaragua
Philippines
Palestine
Cambodia - campaigning for a living wage
International activities in your area
Affiliations to solidarity organisations
Upcoming events
UNISON
international seminar 2015
Date for the diary! The UNISON
international seminar will be held 20-22 March 2015 in Sheffield (subject to
contract). The seminar is open to UNISON activists interested in UNISON’s
international work. Branch international officers and UNISON activists who wish
to engage in international policy are also encouraged to attend. Details will
be sent out towards the end of the year regarding registration.
Trade agreements -
impact on public services
The European Union is negotiating three
trade agreements that could have a major impact on the way public services are
delivered. The agreements are with the USA (the Transatlantic Trade and
Investment Partnership or TTIP), Canada (the Comprehensive Economic and Trade
Agreement or CETA) and with over 20 other countries (the Trade in Services
Agreement or TiSA). National Delegate Conference passed policy calling for
opposition to TTIP in June, and the TUC voted to oppose all three agreements in
September.
UNISON is working with a coalition of
organisations, including War on Want, the World Development Movement, the Trade
Justice Movement and Friends of the Earth, in campaigning against TTIP and the
other agreements (www.noTTIP.org.uk).
The global union federation, Public Services International (PSI) recently held
a two-day trade summit in Washington which Dave Prentis attended in his
capacity as PSI president. This brought together key unions from across the
globe to discuss how we could defend public services from the impact of these
agreements. UNISON’s briefing on TTIP is available here and we will soon be producing updated briefings on all three agreements
and what you can do as an individual but also in your branch and region.
Swaziland – trade
union rights restricted
Dave Prentis has written to the
Swaziland High Commissioner protesting the recent decision of the Swazi
government to ban the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) and other
federations including the employers’ organisation and the Chamber of Commerce.
In his letter UNISON’s general secretary reminded the Swazi government of their
commitments as signatories to International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Convention 87 which guarantees freedom of organisation for both workers and
employers. The ban does not apply to individual unions but it has created
a climate which makes it increasingly difficult for them to operate. UNISON
currently funds an organising and training project with the two Swazi public
service unions, the National Public Services and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU)
and the Swazi Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU).
South Africa trade
union leader visits UNISON
The newly elected general secretary of
the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) in South
Africa, Bereng Soke, recently visited UNISON to find out more about how we
organise. As well as meeting UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis and the
president Lucia McKeever and vice-president Wendy Nicholls he held meetings
with the Strategic Organising and Communications units, and with UNISON Young
Members and the Education Service group. He also visited the UNISON branch at
Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals to see how UNISON organises and recruits on the
ground. UNISON and NEWHAWU have a long history of co-operation going back to
the struggle against apartheid and his visit was an important reminder of the
close ties between the two unions and the need to share organising experiences
between sister trade unions.
Bananalink appeal
for sacked Colombian workers
Bananalink is asking for donations to
help hundreds of women who worked in the Colombian banana industry but who were
laid off following storms that hit the Uraba region of Colombia in July. The
Colombian government promised to help the plantation owners keep workers in their
jobs but despite this the employers simply sacked the workers, many of whom are
the sole wage earner in their families. The women’s’ union, SINTRAINAGRO has
appealed for international donations. “The priority”, said Adela Torres, general secretary of the union, “is
these women whose households have no other sources of income at all.” You can
find out more and donate to the appeal at Bananalink.
Justice for Colombia was set up by the British trade union movement and has a proven track
record of campaigning on Colombia. But Justice for Colombia only exists because
of the support trade unions give nationally, regionally and at branch level. Is
your branch affiliated to JFC? If not it should be! You can join online too.
Tamil Solidarity
The
Tamil Solidarity campaign was set up in 2009, when more than 100,000 Tamils
marched in London in opposition to the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamils
taking place in Sri Lanka at the time. More than 140,000 Tamils were killed by
the Sri Lankan armed forces in the last phase of the war alone.
In the five years since then, the predominantly Tamil north and east of Sri Lanka has been put under effective military occupation. At the same time, the government of Sri Lanka has continued its attacks on all working and poor people in Sri Lanka. Press freedom, democratic and workers’ rights, as well as living standards, are being undermined throughout the island. Tamil Solidarity continues to campaign against these repressive measures, and is working to help build the strength of the Sri Lankan diaspora in Britain to speak out against these atrocities as well as to defend our rights in Britain.
Since Tamil Solidarity was set up, it has built close links with the trade union movement. The national affiliation of UNISON significantly boosted the campaign and has had a significant impact in the community, while also raising the profile of the union. In order to further strengthen these ties Tamil Solidarity has launched a ‘Join a Union’ initiative as one of its campaigns. There are more than 300,000 Tamils living in the UK, many of them working in the public sector, while many others – especially young people – find themselves in low-paid work in retail and other parts of the private sector. Tamil Solidarity says it aims to help unionise them to secure their rights in the workplace.
In the five years since then, the predominantly Tamil north and east of Sri Lanka has been put under effective military occupation. At the same time, the government of Sri Lanka has continued its attacks on all working and poor people in Sri Lanka. Press freedom, democratic and workers’ rights, as well as living standards, are being undermined throughout the island. Tamil Solidarity continues to campaign against these repressive measures, and is working to help build the strength of the Sri Lankan diaspora in Britain to speak out against these atrocities as well as to defend our rights in Britain.
Since Tamil Solidarity was set up, it has built close links with the trade union movement. The national affiliation of UNISON significantly boosted the campaign and has had a significant impact in the community, while also raising the profile of the union. In order to further strengthen these ties Tamil Solidarity has launched a ‘Join a Union’ initiative as one of its campaigns. There are more than 300,000 Tamils living in the UK, many of them working in the public sector, while many others – especially young people – find themselves in low-paid work in retail and other parts of the private sector. Tamil Solidarity says it aims to help unionise them to secure their rights in the workplace.
As
a grassroots campaign, Tamil Solidarity relies on the donations of members and supporters, and on affiliations.
Why not invite someone from Tamil Solidarity to speak at your meetings to find
out more about this campaign – and how it can take the ‘Join a Union’
initiative further in your local area. Please also consider affiliating your
branch to Tamil Solidarity. www.tamilsolidarity.org
Qatar - rights of
migrant workers under the spotlight
Since being awarded the 2022 World Cup
in 2010, Qatar has witnessed an unprecedented construction programme including
building a new city to accommodate the final of the World Cup.
Unfortunately, Qatar does not have a
great record when it comes to workers’ rights. The International Trade Union
Confederation (ITUC) has exposed numerous violations of the rights of migrant workers.
It has visited the country to look at the conditions endured by overseas’
workers, and has concluded that the country needs to completely overhaul its
labour laws to protect the more than 1 million migrant workers there.
The ITUC estimates that 40 people per
month are dying in the building industry in Qatar. This equates to at least
4,000 people dying before the World Cup starts. Qatar disputes the figures
saying heart attacks cannot be classified as industrial accidents (many of the
young Nepalese and Indian workers suffer cardiac arrests; most likely because
they are working such long hours in temperatures exceeding 40o C).
There is also evidence that contracted
workers (porters, admin workers, cleaners, gardeners, etc – our potential
members in the UK!) providing support services to universities in Doha are
subject to abuses. These workers are employed at University College London’s
(UCL) campus. A public meeting is planned at UCL in November as other UK
institutions may locate there. Details I.Relations@unison.co.uk
UNISON is also supporting the TUC’s
campaign to get fans involved in highlighting the violation of workers’ rights
in the building trade. It is called Play Fair Qatar, and calls on Qatar to
respect the rights of workers building the infrastructure for the World Cup.
You can take a selfie wearing your club colours and upload it to the Play
Fair Qatar website. Encourage colleagues, friends
and family to also get involved.
Nicaragua
UNISON has been affiliated to the
Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign for many years and has long-standing links with
sister trade unions in Nicaragua. The UNISON International Development Fund is
currently funding a legal advice centre for members of the public employees
union, UNE and has just agreed a project with the health workers’ union
FETSALUD. However, NSC relies on union affiliations to keep its work here in
the UK going. Only 5 UNISON regions and 22 branches are affiliated. We would
urge you to get you branch or region to join. Branches can join for £50 and
regions for £75 and you can join online.
Philippines
UNISON
continues to support trade unions in the Philippines with two projects in
public services and the water industry (which is being subject to privatisation
programmes). UNISON also funded a project in Mindanao where local groups are
campaigning against a proposed mining project by UK-registered company that
would displace up to 4,000 indigenous Bl’aan and destroy the environment. The project
was run jointly by War on Want and Kalikasan, a local NGO in the area. The
final phase of the project saw a small delegation visit the UK to take part in
actions organised by the London Mining Network, and to speak to UNISON and
Filipino activists around the country. Project worker, Enteng Bautista, said
the project had enabled Kalikasan to raise the profile of the proposed mining
programme at Tampakan, and welcomed the opportunity to visit the UK where he
has established new links with mining campaigners.
Palestine
The
recent non-binding vote in the House of Commons to recognise an independent
Palestinian state shows how far public opinion has moved in the UK following
Israel’s renewed assault on Gaza over the summer. UNISON has long supported the
right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and statehood and
provided both financial support and speakers to the demonstrations organised by
the Palestine Solidarity Campaign against attacks on Gaza. PSC has seen a large increase in membership and donations
in recent months but still relies on union affiliations for much of its core
activities and UNISON encourages all regions and branches to join PSC.
Cambodia -
campaigning for a living wage
Workers’
rights in Cambodia are precarious, and the ongoing campaign for a living wage
has seen a violent reaction by the authorities with the police using
heavy-handed tactics against striking workers. Leaders of the unions and
workers’ associations are being harassed and hauled before the courts, and
those taking strike action have been fired, and in some cases, imprisoned.
This
week, the leaders of UNISON’s partners CITA and CATU have been put on judicial
supervision which means they cannot take part in any industrial action or
gather outside the court where strikers are appearing. They must also present
themselves at a police station every month. UNISON sees this as a provocative
response on the part of the authorities, and calls on the tripartite talks to
reconvene: the employers are refusing to pay the living wage of $177 a month,
and continue to pay below what the government recognises as a poverty wage
($120).
Earlier
this month, one of the leaders of C.CAWDU, visited UNISON, and members of the
NEC international committee took part in a solidarity initiative in support of
a living wage for all Cambodian workers.
International
activities in your area
There have been a number of successful
joint international seminars held over the past few months: the South East and
Eastern regions held a seminar in London; and North West, Northern and UNISON
Scotland held one in Manchester at the back end of September. The seminars were
open to UNISON activists in those areas, and heard from an array of speakers. To
make sure you hear about local events, make sure your details on ‘My UNISON’ part of the website are up-to-date, and let your
region know that you wish to be kept informed of regional/national events.
Affiliations to
solidarity organisations
UNISON is affiliated to several
solidarity groups as called for at national delegate conference and the NEC
international committee. Regions/nations and branches are encouraged to
affiliate as it is a way of showing support for UNISON’s partners, and
implementing UNISON policy.
Upcoming
events
Saturday, 29 November, London
Monday, 1 December, London
TTIP Lobby of Parliament
Friday, 5 December, Glasgow
TTIP public meeting at UNISON Scotland,
City branch, Bell Street
6.30pm
Wednesday, 3 December, London
Saturday, 24 January 2015, London
Friday-Sunday, 20-22 March 2015,
Sheffield (subject to contract)
UNISON international seminar weekend
Details will be posted once venue
confirmed.
