News

Union leaders from Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Ghana, Zimbabwe and South Africa participated in the annual Collective Bargaining Seminar as part of the project funded by FNV and UNI Graphical & Packaging.



Each country provided a report on the outcomes of collective bargaining obtained during the last 12 months, including how the respective legislation impacts on the ability of Unions to negotiate collective agreements.



Trenton Elsey a researcher from the South African Labour Research Service who had undertaken an analysis of Collective Agreements from a number of countries provided a report on the comparison between these CA’s. While the sample was not large it gave participants an illustrative indication of what is contained in the CA’s.



In addition to the outcomes in CA’s he also gave a presentation on some of the strategic issues that Unions should consider as part of future collective bargaining activity.



Participants then broke into working groups to develop a strategy for 2011 and identify what are the 5 key issues that should form core elements of future collective bargaining.



Those working groups identified a number of key elements that are critical to a successful collective bargaining strategy including such things as

· Develop core claims

· Continual feedback and reporting to members

· Communications



In addition the working groups discussed the importance of developing effective networks both internally within companies but also across the graphical & packaging unions in Africa.



Education and training of union members and union leaders was also stressed as being a critical element of any successful collective bargaining strategy.



The final session of the seminar involved the link between organizing and recruiting in the workplace and collective bargaining and if workers want decent outcomes then strong trade unions are essential.



The participants committed to continuing to build the network among the African graphical and packaging unions around collective bargaining.



further details contact steve.walsh@uniglobalunion.org