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Leaders and activists from more than 15 postal and logistics trade unions in the Americas convened in Bogota last week for the fourth UNI Americas Post and Logistics Conference.

During the two-day conference, delegates shared developments in the post and logistics industries in their countries and established a working plan to tackle the challenges confronting postal workers in the region. Key among the topics debated were the impact of postal liberalisation and deregulation and how unions can respond to mitigate the negative impacts on their members. Delegates also shared ideas on postal innovation and how unions can contribute to discussions on the future of work in the industry. It is necessary, the activists agreed, that unions play an active role in promoting new products and services as demand for traditional postal products wanes.

There was also a significant focus on the need to organize new workers in the industry. The conference reviewed the ongoing developments with the DHL organizing campaign in the region and around the world. In a highlight of the week, the conference congratulated the courageous sisters and brothers of the STPC who formally established a DHL branch of their union earlier in the week.

Before the conference concluded, delegates elected Jim Sauber of the National Association of Letter Carriers to serve as regional president for the sector. Ramon Baldassini of Argentina and Manuel Acevedo will serve as vice-presidents. Sauber succeeds the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ Lynn Bue who served two terms as president.