News

The UNI Telecom World Committee met in Nyon on 18 and 19 May.



UNI Telecom, like the other Global Unions within UNI, is taking action to demand that the global economy is re-built sustainably, with a view to social justice, creation of decent jobs with dignified conditions and with a voice for workers. Our contribution to this is to organise, to build and strengthen unions, to make global agreements with key employers in our sector and to exert influence on public policy issues in our sector, such as high-speed internet access.



Unions resolved to take joint action on a variety of issues. Firstly, we will support the CWA and the American labour movement in campaigning for the Employee Free Choice Act. This Act would bring the United States in line with international law on labour rights and give American workers the opportunity to organise trade unions and to bargain collectively. UNI affiliates agreed to contact American embassies upon returning to their home countries and to urge the US Congress and Obama Administration to make the Employee Free Choice Act a reality.



In addition, affiliates discussed plans to take action during the Call Centre Action Month this October and proposals to develop initiatives to organise the informal sector. These proposals create opportunities for UNI Telecom to work with other UNI sectors, and with special interest groups such as UNI Women and UNI Youth.



Information and experiences were shared regarding public policy debates in the United States, Japan and Europe on high-speed internet access and the importance of this issue for the future of telecoms and IT workers.



After hearing reports of organising successes and challenges from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, UNI Telecom unions will continue their important work, building on cooperation and alliances which already exist and establishing new networks where needed to advance our mission to improve the lives of telecom workers worldwide.