News

UNI Graphical & Packaging Executive held its global meeting in Barcelona recently. All the regions were represented with 23 participants.



The President, Tommy Andersson in his opening address spoke about the ongoing struggles that unions in all regions are facing with the continued attacks by governments on the rights of workers and how important it is for unions to continue to organise. He said that we are seeing an increase in people prepared to stand up against the self interests of right wing governments and multi-national corporations and as trade unions’ have always led these struggles we must continue to support each other to ensure everyone has a right to a decent wage and a decent social safety net.



He said that on this day the International day for Women it is appropriate that the Graphical and Packaging Sector commits to achieving the 40% gender balance and that we all strive to ensure that we achieve that outcome.



The General Secretary from the Catalonia Region of CCOO Jose Figueiras opened the Executive meeting said that this region has a strong graphical tradition with over 40% of the industry based in the area.



He said that the proposed labour reforms are the most harmful ever introduced in Spain and for that reason the 2 largest unions (CCOO and UGT) are leading the struggle to oppose their introduction and are calling for a general strike.



He said that Spain is still in crisis with 5 million unemployed which is 23% of the active population and with the construction and tourism industry continuing to contract there will be ongoing hardship.



The General Secretary of UNI Global Phillip Jennings in his address to the Executive spoke about the importance of the graphical and packaging sector within UNI not only as a founding partner but also because of the industrial background of the industry. He said that this expertise in areas of collective bargaining, multinationals and EWC’s should be utilised across the whole of UNI without in any way diluting the resources that are needed within the sector.



He also spoke about the creation of the organising fund and how this was important to the affiliates as without organising we cannot possibly grow.



Consistent with the importance of organising the Executive then reviewed the priorities of the Work Plan that was adopted in the 2011 global conference, with particular emphasis on young people and women workers. A working group has been established to target organising in Central and Eastern Europe as many packaging companies have now expanded into this area.



The Executive also determined that there be a working group established to bring back recommendations on achieving the 40% gender balance by the World Congress in 2014.



The Executive also expressed total support and solidarity for the locked out workers at the Mayr Melnoff plant in Liverpool.



Contact steve.walsh@uniglobalunion.org