Big labour closer to a global union

NEWS RELEASE

UNITED STEELWORKERS

************************* Steelworkers and Amicus take first steps towards global super-union

Merger exploration group to create 3.4 million-member Trans-Atlantic union

OTTAWA – The United Steelworkers (USW), together with Amicus and the Transportation & General Workers Union (T&GWU) of the United Kingdom, today announced a formal process to prepare the ground for the creation of the first Trans-Atlantic trade union.

At a ceremony held in Ottawa at the USW’s Canadian National Policy Congress, representatives of the three unions signed an accord to set up a merger exploration committee which will be tasked with laying down a foundation for a legal merger within one year.

The new union would represent more than 3.4 million members in the US, Canada, UK and Ireland.

It would be the world’s biggest union and would be expected to attract other union organizations throughout the world into membership.

During the exploration process, the unions will engage in coordinated campaigning and common approaches to collective bargaining with multinational companies.

This agreement follows a strategic alliance signed between Amicus and the USW two years ago.

Amicus and the T&GWU will join together as one union with two million members after May 1, 2007.

The new union, based in London, will be called “Unite.”

Statements were issued after a press call and signing of the ‘Ottawa Accord’ by USW president Leo W. Gerard [shown] and Derek Simpson, general secretary for Amicus, as follows:

Amicus general secretary Derek Simpson said, “One of the main reasons for the merger between Amicus and the T&GWU was our desire to create an international trade union that would be able to deal with multinational companies on an equal footing. Coming as it does hot on the heels of our mergers, today’s announcement demonstrates the resonance that the idea of a global super union has.

“Multinational companies are pushing down wages and conditions for workers the world over by playing one national workforce off against another. The only beneficiaries of globalization are the exploiters of working people and the only way working people can resist this is to band together.

“I hope today’s announcements marks the beginning of the creation of a formidable international trade union organization.”

USW international president Leo W. Gerard said, “Workers in this new century need a trans-Atlantic union to tame the exploitation of global corporations, international banks and world trade organizations.

“The time for global unionism has arrived. We need cross-border organizing strategies to protect workers against the mobility of capital that knows no borders. Workers want their unions to develop labor contracts that encompass global employers. We must meet the challenge and defend human rights standards for all.

“USW members in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean Basin know the benefits of international unionism and are ready to commit support to today’s announcement for exploring the first trans-Atlantic union for workers in two continents.”

T&GWU general secretary Tony Woodley, said: “This is an historic step for global trade unionism, and will help working people to look even the biggest employer in the eye. Closer working and agreement with North American trade unionists forms a crucial part of our global organizing agenda, designed to stop bosses playing off workers in one country against those in another.”

Ken Neumann, USW national director for Canada, said the document signed at the National Policy Conference was a historic moment for the 600 delegates representing USW members across Canada.

“It is important for our members to be able to participate in the signing of a document that will affect their future as workers in a global economy.

“Our union has never been satisfied with limiting our reach exclusively to Canada. And we are more than an international union. We are a global network of workers and their organizations.”

The "Ottawa Accord" signed by the three unions was titled: Exploring a Global Union for the 21st Century. The accord stated: “Amicus-T&G and the USW firmly believe that over the coming years only through greater international solidarity and cooperation can we as a trade union movement, effectively represent the interests of our members against the threats posed by global capital.”

It committed the North American and UK unions to:

- Creation of a Merger Exploration Committee of five principals from each union to study the legal framework, constitutions, rules and structures of the current unions during the next 12 months to suggest a framework for a formal merger.

- A regular exchange between senior officers to take place every quarter to monitor and develop areas of joint work and to find ways of integrating common programs to enhance the understanding and culture of the unions.

- Provide materials and financial resources for joint international solidarity projects that might include support of Columbia’s trade union movement in the face of continued attacks on labour and human rights; capacity building projects with partner unions in Africa; solidarity work with the ship breakers of India and joint exploration of transnational corporations in China.

- Development of common approaches to collective bargaining in sectors and multinational companies where our joint membership work.

- Engage in regular participation in each union’s educational and political conferences and activities. The full "Ottawa Accord," signed by the USW, Amicus and the T&GWU, plus details of the announcement creating a formal Merger Exploration Committee are available by clicking here or here.

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