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There was further evidence of the power of international solidarity on display at the UNI Americas Conference when Walmart workers from Argentina and Brazil met with US Walmart workers who are engaged in strike action for better pay and respect in the workplace. The US Workers received a UNI Freedom from Fear award.



The US Walmart workers were given a standing ovation for their bravery in sticking up for their rights despite intimidation from the company. They gave testimony to the difference it has meant to them to have the support of Walmart workers from around the world through the UNI Walmart Global Union Alliance. The UNI Alliance was launched in October in Los Angeles and was there to support the Walmart workers who took part in the first strike in Walmart’s US history. The movement has gathered momentum, notably around Black Friday and is poised for another landmark with the Global Day of Action on Friday 14 December. Walmart workers from Argentina, Chile and Brazil, where they have a collective agreement, vowed to take part and support their US colleagues.



UNI affiliates agreed on the need to organise strong unions and to fight to ensure that multinationals sign up to global agreements to protect workers’ rights. Apart from Walmart there were other examples of how UNI was working on the ground for change and the importance of theUNI family and its networks. Prosegur’s behaviour in sacking more than 300 workers in Paraguay has led to increased activity in the UNI Americas Commerce network not only in that country but across the whole region where Prosegur operates. This ability to mobilise across borders is one of UNI’s biggest strengths. One of the affiliates from Paraguay, Mario Lomaquis said he was prouder to wear his UNI t-shirt than his football shirt when he was a boy. The participants were enthusiastic about the UNI network's ability to deliver on the Breaking Through strategy but were not complacent. For example, Mario Amado from the Argentine union FAECYS, who had taken a lead role in the creation of a new union at Carrefour in Columbia said there were still abuses by management and that some union members had been sacked or discriminated against. He said that showed the necessity of pushing on with the Breaking Through strategy and continuing the fight for decent work that knows no borders.