Collective Agreement Signed by Carrefour Colombia
The subscription of this collective agreement is a key step that consolidates and strengthens a new model of industrial relations at Carrefour Colombia, based on dialogue and an integral respect for human, labor and union rights. The actions of Carrefour Colombia Workers’ Union contributed a lot to this achievement, as did the admirable confidence, enthusiasm and mobilization of union shop delegates and grassroots affiliates. They were able to build a union with thousands of members under the hard conditions prevailing in Colombia, a country with the highest world rate of murdered unionists. The National Union School, UNI Americas and UNI Commerce provided ongoing assistance in this undertaking, both at a global and a regional level.
This process now taking place in Carrefour, which has no known precedent in Colombia, began with the creation of the union, the election of shop delegates and the submission of the first list of demands, and was not without obstacles, difficulties and complexities, added to a lack of experience. Both parties worked patiently and diligently to overcome all these barriers and have finally signed a collective agreement that enshrines significant advances for Carrefour Colombia workers. The stipulations of the collective agreement now subscribed (convención colectiva) far exceeds the benefits afforded by the existing non-union collective agreement (pacto colectivo), which will remain in effect in the company for a few more months. At the same time, they establish a new regulatory framework for labor relations in Carrefour Colombia and create tools for dialogue at all company levels.
Some items to be highlighted in the collective agreement include that the agreement will be effective for 2 years and contemplates a salary increase of 2% over the CPI in real terms, an indefinite employment contract for all workers with a span of service of more than 6 months in the company, holiday pay in proportion to salaries, a meal bonus for employees who work certain specified hours, an annual eyeglasses bonus, and an annual bonus to be paid every May 1. All these are gains that improve from one to three times the old non-union collective agreement. In the area of rights and right protection, it provides for union leave time for shop delegates and members of municipal committees and the national executive board, and also for the national meeting of Union delegates to be held. It has established several levels for social dialogue and mechanisms to monitor disciplinary processes.
Finally, only Union affiliates will be entitled to the benefits established in the collective agreement. This gives rise to a great opportunity to launch a wide-ranging organizing campaign that will enable the union to go even further. The communication released yesterday by the union to all Carrefour Colombia workers expressed this in the following words: “If you hesitate, if you haven’t taken the plunge yet for fear, apprehension, pressures, this is the time to assess what has been attained so far thanks to the Union and decide to become a member. Remember that a true change in labor relations in Carrefour will only be possible if workers are united. Also, the Collective Agreement will significantly improve the benefits you enjoy now. One plus one, we will make a difference. Join the Union!” This is a great example of how to achieve a breakthrough!