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The meeting, which took place in Zagreb over September 16 and 17, had “almost perfect” attendance. Philip Jennings carried out a detailed analysis of the financial crisis and its possible political, economic and social consequences, as well as the main work areas UNI Global Union is committed to in view of the upcoming Nagasaki Congress. “This is a global crisis that we have been warning about for some time now. Wall Street wanted to win at any price, and here are the results,” emphasized Philip. “This crisis affords lessons that now do have to be listened to; there are no more excuses for this capitalism without rules,” pointed out the General Secretary of UNI.



Herman Leiskik, FNV-Kiem, Netherlands Bjarne Nielsen, HK-Denmark





Ito, UNI Apro, Tokyo Luisa Bull, UNITE, UK







The Challenge: the development of digital technology in the graphical industries and logistics and services sectors



A central part of the meeting was dedicated to the analysis of the development of digital technology and the sector’s strategies to grow in this new scenario.



The interventions of Luisa Bull (UNITE, UK); Herman Leisink (FNV-Kiem, Holland); Bjarne Nielsen (HK, Denmark) and Eiichi Ito (Tokyo Office, UNI APRO) provided an excellent framework for discussion and enabled arriving at a series of proposals. The Committee decided to print a leaflet reflecting the presentations and the different points of view of the members. The possibility of establishing new networks around the most relevant companies was also studied. “From now until the Nagasaki Congress, the Sector will have to make more profound analyses and proposals in order to maintain its relevance over the next decade,” concluded the President of UNI Graphical, Michel Muller.



Colombia and Bolivia on the Agenda



The Executive Committee expressed its support for the upcoming UNI mission to Colombia, which will be headed by Philip Jennings. “I would like to underscore my appreciation and acknowledgement of the prompt reaction of UNI in the face of the assassination of Leonidas Gómez Rozo, shop steward in City Bank in Colombia,” declared Duncan Brown (CEP-Canada). “A few hours after this terrible crime, UNI and UNI Americas travelled to Colombia to show solidarity with Colombian unionism and Leonidas’ family,” he added



The Committee adopted a Motion of Support for the democracy in Bolivia, condemning any attempt by the Bush Administration to destabilize the government of Evo Morales.





Conferences to Grow!



The Executive Committee analyzed the agenda for the Conference on Security Printing, which will open a new field of action for the sector.



Likewise, it took the proposal for the upcoming Global Conference on the Packaging and Paper Processing Sector up with great interest. It will be held in April 2009, in Berlin, Germany and the preparatory work for it will take place in Hanoi next November 21.



“The Graphical Sector continues to work on its efforts to build strategic power. More networks, more global agreements, more participation: that is our work and our commitment,” concluded Michel Muller at the close of the meeting.



For more information: adriana.rosenzvaig@uniglobalunion.org