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UNIA, the largest trade union in Switzerland held their Congress in Geneva with the slogan "Solidarity in society, strong in the workplace". The re-elected Unia President Vania Alleva celebrated UNIA’s steady growth, with several thousand new members added since their last Congress in 2012. At the end of 2015, UNIA numbered over 200,000 members. UNIA has signed numerous important collective agreement across various sectors, including petrol shops, care for the elderly/agency workers, and cleaning and security, showing that it can improve working conditions and ward off attacks from employers.

Philip Jennings, General Secretary of UNI Global Union praised UNIA’s solidarity with refugees and migrants, commenting, "You fight for open borders. You fight for the reception of an additional 50,000 refugees. You are fighting for the regularization of 200,000 undocumented workers. You are the largest migrant organization in Switzerland. You are a living example of solidarity and I am proud to have you as an active affiliate.”

Jennings also mentioned the special relationship between UNI and Unia. "In many local industrial actions, we provided our office as a trade union hall. In Nyon, Unia and UNI have been working hand in hand since 2000."

Unia delegates wants to stop the so-called "uberisation" by recognizing "self-employed" as an employee with all rights. Jennings highlighted the successful struggle of the Uber drivers in London as a model for the future, which was greeted by thunderous applause. He called unity in the struggle against the digicapitalists, “A lot of platforms exploit their workers and are making massive profits. We need to fight together against this new ‘digicapitalism’. We need, deserve and demand decent jobs and fair conditions in the future world of work, and for this the world need strong unions. This digital revolution, the fourth industrial revolution, must be our revolution, a revolution that puts people first."

Unia wants to be a strong union which influences the future world of work and want to continue to grow. To to reach its target of 5% membership growth in four years, Unia is planning to invest an additional 5 million francs each year in organizing, double the membership in the private care sector and start specific campaigns for professionals and managers. Jennings praised the brave organizing plan of Unia, saying, "With this organising plan, you will break through. UNI and all other Global Union federations will help you achieve this goal. "

To watch the UNIA action of the convention delegates, please click here.