News

The 4th Regional Conference of UNI Americas Graphical & Packaging was held in Panama City on 24-25 November and was attended by over 40 participants from twelve countries in the region, united under the slogan "Turning the tide".

The constant technological transformation of the sector has forced the printing industry to reinvent itself. The changes in both industry and consumer habits require that unions "turn the tide" and adopt new ways of working and organizing and continue to adapt to the new world of work.

During the conference participants discussed the obstacles in the industry and the work done over the past four years was assessed, highlighting that without organizations or unions there are no victories. Organising should be an ongoing process, especially in those subsectors growing such as packaging and security printing.

The evaluation of the detailed country reports noted some progress in organising and collective bargaining in Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico and Chile.

Furthermore, work plans were adopted for the years 2015-2019 and the new authorities of the organization for this new period were elected. It was agreed to investigate and monitor national and multinational companies and take actions in the pursuit of global and regional agreements with companies to respect labor and trade union rights.

Marvin Largaespada, UNI Americas Graphical & Packaging Regional Director, expressed the importance of communication as a tool for unions.

He said: "It is essential to maximize the potential and use communication and the use of social networking sites as part of organizing, promotion and propagation of thought of unions as important actors in any process,"

Participants stressed the need to further develop trade policies for the integration of young people in trade unions and against discrimination, violence and sexual harassment.

To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the conference participants expressed their firm rejection against femicide, noting that unions have to implement campaigns to eradicate this evil which is increasing in our societies .

The resolutions adopted by the conference: 

Apoyo local y global a la Marcha Mundial por el clima 29 de noviembre de 2015 
Compromiso y respaldo de los sindicatos al proceso de Paz en Colombia 
Declaración “elecciones parlamentarias en Venezuela 
Declaración “Un Perú sin violencia política y social”