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UNI signs 52nd Global Framework Agreement: Latin American Federation of Banks, Felaban – “a major step forward for banking workers and a first for the finance sector in the Americas”

UNI Finance Global Union and UNI Americas said the signing of the 52nd Global Framework Agreement with Felaban was a major step forward for the whole of the Latin American banking world and the global battle against inequality.

Felaban incorporates more than 500 banks in 19 Latin American countries, some of which also do business in North America and elsewhere. The global framework agreement signed between UNI Americas and Felaban recognises the duty to respect key ILO conventions, namely freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, health and safety provisions and zero tolerance on workplace harassment.

The agreement was signed by UNI America’s Regional Secretary Adriana Ronsenzvaig and the President of UNI Americas Finance, Sergio Palazzo,  and the President of Felaban, Jorge Brito who owns the Argentinian Banco Macro.

Adriana Rosenzvaig, Regional Secretary, said: "This agreement will change the lives of many finance workers in a region where even the idea of social dialogue between employer and employees is often seen as out of reach. This is a significant step forward.”

Britto said that it was important build on dialogue to work together, think big, and achieve important goals. He said Felaban would aim to take measures to prevent health problems at work and sexual harassment as well as bullying.

UNI Global Union’s General Secretary Philip Jennings said, “The agreement with Felaban comes after lengthy negotiations and we are pleased to finally cross the line. Make no mistake this is a significant agreement and a staging post towards a more equal world no longer skewed to the 1%. We have high expectations of Felaban to deliver and UNI Americas will stay with them every step of the way to ensure they do."

Jennings took news of the agreement to the OECD Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct where he is addressing a high level finance session. He told participants, "UNI's global framework agreement with Faleban is a concrete example of  putting CSR principles into practice on a significant scale. UNI is building momentum and breaking through. This is a first for the Americas' finance sector. Our message to the banks in the Americas is that we are "including you" in the push for responsible business conduct."

Jennings and Rosenzvaig praised Sergio Palazzo the head of UNI affiliate the Bank Employees Union of Argentina for his part in bringing about the Agreement.

Palazzo said the agreement was essential to changing the banking work culture in Latin America. . "The same bank that negotiates rights in Argentina refuses to provide toilets for female staff in Paraguay," Palazzo said. "And that's why we need agreements like this and all the tools to enable us to combat situations of inequity in our region."

The agreement was signed this week during the 41st National Congress of La Bancaria.