News

The world’s newest union, GS – the union for the Forestry, Wood and Graphical Industries, was formed on Tuesday, May 19, with the merger of two unions in Sweden: the Forestry and Wood Union (a BWI affiliate) and the Graphical Workers’ Union (UNI affiliate), who both held their final congresses the previous day. The new union at its inaugural congress, elected its new President, Per-Olof Sjöö, along with 3 Vice-Presidents: Tommy Andersson, Kenneth Johansson and Erik Georgii.



In his address to the congress, P.O. Sjöö, highlighted the need for continued and unrelenting struggle against unemployment to ensure that it was not workers who would have to foot the bill for the current economic crisis. He promised peace within the LO family of unions but not a peaceful Swedish labour movement united in its fight for justice. He also took time to thank the delegates from both unions for their cooperation in bringing together the new union. There had been tough discussions at times, but all had actively take part with the same goal and vision in mind. Now it was time increase the union’s presence in the workplace and together take on new responsibility, but not to back away when there was a fight to be won.



Simon Dubbins, UNI Europa Graphical President, addressed the final congress of Grafiska. Together with Michel Muller (UNI Graphical President) they welcome the formation of the GS as a new tool to strength the international trade union movement.



During the Grafiska Congress a book on the international work developed by the Union was presented. “In another part of the World” is a beautiful book that shows the real commitment from Grafiska with all the Unions around the Globe. “Our Union has over the years been of great importance for graphical workers in other parts of the world”, wrote Tommy Anderson in his introduction remarks.



Grafiska is playing a key role in UNI Graphical. In January 2009, together with UNI, Tommy Anderson was able to negotiate the signature of a Global Agreement with the Swedish printing company Elanders.



This is the new logo of GS







For more information, please contact Adriana.rosenzvaig@uniglobalunion.org