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The group, comprised mainly of delegates and activists from large national and multinational companies (among them Quebecor and Kimberly Clarke) of paper, print and packaging union organizations in MERCOSUR, outlined proposals for training, organizing and collective bargaining.



“Workers present as observers at negotiating rounds with employers has added more affiliates to our union as the women can see that union leaders are acting transparently vis-à-vis the company and also understand the difficulties and challenges the union faces in order to improve the standard of living of those we represent,” declared Sahily Escubina, delegate from Kimberly Clark in Venezuela.



The experiences of women from Quebecor Chile who along with their male colleagues were able to organize the workers of a binding company in which the workers were subcontracted were closely followed by the participants. The tenacious work of these activists strengthened the union and now the workers have stable jobs. “We have had success in organizing a significant number of workers, but in the last union elections we weren’t able to get the women to run for positions that were open”, reported Cecilia Aburto, Conagra-Chile and leader of the Quebecor Union. This generated a valuable discussion on how to encourage participation and the development of greater commitment to union activities.



“We do not want activities divorced from the fundamental issues that are discussed in the unions”, emphasized Erica Messias from CONATIG, Brazil. “There have been times we have the feeling that the unions organize activities for women in which issues that are totally different from the core discussions being held in our organizations are discussed. For example, if the union is discussing guidelines for collective bargaining and preparing for negotiations with management, we women have to get together to analyze these guidelines and take active part in the campaigns.”



A panel convened under the theme “Tough Medicine for Tough Problems” analyzed strategies on mainstreaming the discussion on gender at the core of the unions and the fight for equal pay; in one case, the presentation was by Mercedes Rodríguez-FCT-CC.OO, Spain, and the second was by Marie Kihlberg Nelvin-Unionen, Sweden. Olga Hammar, from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the Republic of Argentina, contributed her experience with regard to developing public policies for the creation of jobs for women.



“We have made a lot of progress,” said Adriana Rosenzvaig. “The graphical unions of MERCOSUR have taken up the premise that organizing and empowering women is a fundamental dimension for their interests, and they are doing solid and steadfast work.”







Shopstewards from Kimberly Clark in Venezuela and Quebecor in Peru, together with Mercedes Rodríguez and Adriana Rosenzvaig.









For more information: Adriana.rosenzvaig@uniglobalunion.org