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Commerce sector unions from around the world agreed that global union alliances are vital to the fight for workers’ rights.



The 200 trade unionists from 36 countries and 51 unions meeting in Dublin have decided to build global alliances at key global companies in the commerce sector.



These alliances will share information and stand in solidarity to make sure that all workers worldwide are treated fairly and have the right to unionise and bargain collectively.



UNI is building some of these alliances at companies where it has Global Agreements with management. The alliances are intended to ensure that the Global Agreements are enforced.

“Global agreements are just pieces of paper,” said UNI Deputy General Secretary Philip Bowyer. “What makes them real is our workers on the ground.”

UNI is also forming global alliances at companies that have not yet signed a Global Agreement, like South Africa-based retailer Shoprite Checkers and UK-based supermarket chain Tesco.



While the signing of Global Agreements usually leads to better conditions and greater rights for workers at multinationals, the delegates agreed that an agreement is only as strong as UNI and the unions’ ability to enforce it.