News
Caribbean MNC Targeted by UNI Unions
Over 30 participants from 13 Caribbean countries participated in a seminar focused on “Organising and Global Framework Agreements in Multinationals” held in Trinidad and Tobago from 9-12 November 2009, sponsored by the FES and organised for UNI Affiliates by the UNI americas Caribbean Support Center located in Trinidad and Tobago.
Among the various Multinationals operating in the Caribbean discussed during the Seminar, a few were singled out for “special mention” based on their anti-worker and anti-Union tactics, while others were highlighted as strategic potential organising targets for regional Unions.
Issues of concerns regarding workers rights and conditions of work arose in RBTT/Royal Bank of Canada, FCIB, G4Securicor, KFC, Western Union, Cable and Wireless, DHL, Digicel, CLICO and others.
Participants were alerted to the Global DHL Campaign and Week of Action which also took place from 9-13th November and promoted jointly by UNI and the ITF. There is a commitment by UNI Affiliate TTPWU to launch an Organising Campaign to recruit DHL workers in Trinidad and Tobago. UNI Global Union endorses and supports this initiative.
Caribbean trade unionists were exposed to information regarding UNI & UNI GFA, ILO Standards for MNCs, Codes of Conduct and CSR for MNC, Impact of Trade agreements on Organising and MNC of the region and on the FCIB Partnership Agreement currently the only GFA existing the Caribbean which was facilitated and promoted at inception by UNI americas Caribbean Solidarity Center.
Caribbean Unions attending the Seminar focused on a strategic action plan to build a sub-regional/sectoral network to promote increased co-ordination and Solidarity for the Organising efforts of UNI Affiliates and the promotion of Global Framework Agreements with Multinational companies operating in the Caribbean. Participants prepared and delivered 5 Statements on National and regional Labour issues to a local Press Conference organised on the last day of the seminar.
UNI affiliates preparing Statements
to the Press Conference
 Golinda Fox, BPSU Bermuda Rudolph Thomas, BITU Jamaica Tarbula Amedee & Sharna Elibox, NWU St Lucia Andre Lewis, GTAWU Grenada |
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