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After about eight months of discussions on the list of demands presented by the union, and the firm position of the workers to reach an agreement through dialogue, an agreement was signed that will benefit hundreds of workers of the multinational.

In April this year, a group of workers decided to form a union at the Kimberly Colpapel plant (a subsidiary of the U.S. multinational Kimberly Clark), located in Tocancipá, Cundinamarca. The main objective was to fight for greater job security and better working conditions.

The union received immediate support from UNI Global Union and Industriall. In order to encourage its members and strengthen the union, the plant was visited by international delegations from UNI, through the Head of UNI Graphical & Packaging, Andy Snooden, and other national and international leaders, such as Dave Cole of Unifor, Canada.

Colombian Kimberly Colpapel is the leading paper, cardboard and graphical company in Colombia. Last year its operating revenues exceeded one billion 750 million pesos, with profits above 65,000,000 billion pesos. The company has plants in Tocancipá Cundinamarca, Barbosa Antioquia and Puerto Tejada Cauca, with more than 1400 workers.

UNI Global Union has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the company, through which it has been able to resolve complex issues, such as full freedom of association and collective bargaining in Colombia.

Marvin Largaespada, Director of UNI Graphical & Packaging, participated directly in the negotiations. "It was a difficult process, but the belief that we had to be open to dialogue always prevailed. We are very satisfied with this achievement, "said Marvin.

Adriana Rosenzvaig, UNI Americas Regional Secretary, said she hopes that this step taken by Kimberly Clark is heard by other companies operating in Colombia. "Kimberly Clark and Cencosud, among other companies, show that the culture of dialogue and negotiation is possible. We hope that America Movil also hears this message and tells its local managers to sit down and negotiate with our brothers and sisters of Utraclaro" stated Adriana.