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UNI Global Union is calling on Walmart to start talks for a Global Agreement that would set a standard for worker and union rights for the company’s global work force as the retail giant pursues its bid to buy South African-based Massmart and enter the African market.



UNI, which represents more than 4 million workers in the commerce sector globally, joined its member unions in the United States and South Africa in voicing its concerns that Walmart’s proposed buy out of South Africa retailer Massmart could lead to lower wages and loss of union rights throughout the retail industry in the region.



UNI said it is encouraged to see that Walmart executives have been telling the press that they will respect the rights of Massmart’s workers to maintain their union affiliations. The company has used harsh anti-union tactics in the United States and Canada but in some countries, like Argentina, Brazil, Chile and the UK, Walmart workers are unionised.



General Secretary Philip Jennings is offering to meet with the company at its headquarters in the United States to discuss the company’s global labour policy and start discussion on a Global Agreement that would protect worker and trade union rights for al Walmart employees around the world.



“The time has come for Walmart to commit to a process of signing a Global Agreement to respect the rights of all its workers, wherever they are in the world, to organise and negotiate collective agreements,” Jennings said. “We have closely examined Walmart’s Corporate and Social Responsibility and, assuming that the company is serious about what it states, there should be no objection to signing such an Agreement with UNI,” Jennings concluded.



Walmart made its US$ 4 billion offer for Massmart on Monday in a bid to enter the African market. The South Africa Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU), who represent workers at Massmart say they are concerned that a takeover by Walmart could lead to lower salaries and a loss of rights for workers.



“SACCAWU would upfront demand recognition of the union by Walmart as well as a commitment to maintain the collective bargaining processes and social dialogue that are currently in place across Massmart Group with full commitment to decent work, social security and local procurement as a condition for support of the intended transaction,” said SACCAWU General Secretary Bones Skulu. Skulu is also the president of UNI Africa.



“We would advance this in our submissions to the Competition Commission proceedings, which are supposed to precede any approval or rejection of acquisitions, mergers and private equity buyouts,” Skulu said.



UNI and its North American affiliate the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) have waged a long-standing campaign calling on Walmart to respect workers’ right to join a union and bargain collectively in the United States and Canada. Walmart is known for its anti-union policies that have led to shut downs of departments and stores in North America when workers have successfully formed a union.



The UFCW echoed UNI’s call for dialogue.



UFCW International President Joseph Hansen, who also serves as President of UNI Global Union, said: “We have always stood ready to have a dialogue with Walmart, and are ready to do so at this critical juncture. Now is the time for Walmart to engage in a dialogue on a global agreement that ensures South African workers—and all workers where Walmart operates—a union voice on the job.”



UNI is urging Walmart to begin talks on a Global Agreement that would ensure union and workers’ rights for its staff in the United States and in every country where it does business.