Booklet 6 - Alliances and Solidarity to Promote Women Workers' Rights

Table of Contents

4.1. Solidarity within the international trade union movement
4.2. Organizing campaigns and joint actions

4.2.1. Codes of conduct

References and additional readings

Additional examples and case studies

1. Alliances and partnerships between unions and other elements of civil society

"The broader social agenda of the labour movement could be advanced only through the building of broad popular coalitions, with the trade union movement at their centre, but bringing together many civil groups, issue-oriented movements and other popular groups that perceive, each in their own way, the social threat that corporate power represents and whose areas of concern overlap, in different degrees, with that of the labour movement" ⁽¹⁾

Trade unions are increasingly reaching out beyond the traditional workplace, whether at enterprise or industry level. They are connecting with other elements of civil society and building alliances and partnerships at community, national, regional, international and global levels. Unions are:

• engaging in 'community unionism' with other elements of civil society including local women's groups, consumer groups, health groups, citizens groups, human rights groups, research organizations, religious organizations, political organizations;

• forming coalitions at both national and international levels with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which are "more and more into the arena of social governance and advancement" ⁽²⁾ ;
• participating as members of national bodies dealing with equality issues, such as a country's national machinery for the advancement of women, or in formal coalitions or joint action committees, for example to combat child labour or the trafficking of women and children;
• vigorously taking their place as counterparts to employers to participate in bipartite or tripartite structures that work with and keep an eye on governments;
• promoting social dialogue, importantly through the tripartite structure of the International Labour Organization;
• strengthening solidarity within the international trade union movement, in particular among unions in different countries which share the same transnational employer; and between national centres and the international trade secretariats; and
• making the voice of working women and men heard at international fora and dialoguing with inter-governmental and international institutions, including the United Nations and the international financial and trade organizations.

The characteristics of successful union alliances and partnerships with other elements of civil society include ⁽³⁾:

• a common cause for joint action and solidarity by organizations whose basic interests may differ or even conflict. The areas of common concern and shared values include: the defence of human rights and workers' rights, the rule of law, the promotion of equality and anti-discrimination, responding to the challenges posed by globalization and international trade, getting women into politics, corporate accountability, consumer protection, environmental protection, protection of vulnerable groups such as child labour and trafficked women and children - the list is a long and varied one;
• the organizations in the alliance clearly derive mutual benefit (for example through the force of joint action, combined and, therefore, enhanced capabilities and resources, mutually beneficial exchange of information);
• the alliance or partnership results in action that wins the support of the wider public opinion;
• the union is able to capitalize on the fact that its members are not only workers but also important consumers who can make their voices heard through their purchasing power, and members of society with political, religious views, etc.;
• the union itself demonstrates its own democratic credentials. A union cannot successfully enter into alliances to promote democracy and social justice unless its own internal structures give women equal participation and voice as men;
• there is an established institutional structure or framework for such alliances (For example, many unions now have units - often their women's wing/committee/department -- specifically mandated to seek out alliances with other groups);
• there is some initial human or financial resource investments by all parties for joint action;
• there are opportunities for involvement of the general union membership;
• the alliance or partnership leads to better understanding of the perspectives of different social actors and helps build mutual respect and trust;
• there is an open and honest relationship, with the maximum of information sharing and reciprocal transparency and accountability;
• the alliance or partnership is a means of reaching otherwise difficult-to-reach groups. For example, collaboration with local member-based organizations enable unions to tap into the networks that the NGOs have developed at grassroots level, especially with women in the informal sector and atypical forms of work.

These alliances and partnerships provide opportunities to significantly build support for trade union positions and make gains in the struggle for human and trade union rights, social justice and equality. They represent an important strategy for unions to meet the pressures generated by globalization of the world economy and its social consequences.

But the relationship with new partners is often not an easy one. Alliances or partnerships work best when other actors in civil society recognize the unique role, legitimacy and mandate of trade unions as mass organizations which represent workers, characteristics which make unions different from organizations that are not based on associative principles, such as churches, charities or institutions providing support services to vulnerable groups. NGOs have to recognize that they cannot replace trade unions or their specific legitimate role.

At the same time, unions must accept that entering into coalitions with NGOs or other social actors on one or more issues does not mean that disagreements or differences will disappear. It is not unusual for unions to formulate a common vision with a partner but still pursue distinctive objectives. Unions would need to be careful to remain independent from potential partners and not fuse agendas.

All partnerships and alliances, whether or not specifically addressing gender issues, should have a gender perspective. This means continually asking whether and how the activities and goals of the alliance differentially impact on women and men. Do they improve the lives of women? Are women empowered to play an important and active role in the alliance?

Women are ideal partners in most alliances, partly because they are used to banding together with like-minded individuals around specific issues. In many societies, women have been at such a disadvantage that they need the strength in numbers to achieve their goals. Although lacking both power and financial resources, women have often been able to design innovative, enterprising and cost-effective strategies for joint action.

To make alliances and partnerships work, unions and other social actors should:

Guidelines ⁽⁴⁾:

Treat each partnership as an opportunity to allow people from very different organizational backgrounds to learn from each other. Make every effort to understand the perspectives of others involved in the partnership. Set aside preconceptions and prejudices and be open, so that others can understand what unions are able or unable to bring into the alliance;

Identify the different stakeholder groups and take appropriate action to ensure that they do not feel alienated or threatened. Partnerships often falter because key players were not involved;

Develop a campaign slogan or mission statement that will bring all the partners around an agreed set of aspirations; and outline the specific targets and goals of the partnership;

In forming a partnership involving civil action or protest movements, take account of users'/consumers' concerns and the public interest so as to ensure that the partnership has the support of public opinion and is able to apply pressure on companies or governments;

Consider clearly how the partnership will impact on women in the labour movement and in society at large. Will the partnership differently impact on women and men, and how will women benefit?

Ensure that women union members can actively participate in the partnership;

Be ready to question the continuing viability of an initiative beyond the intended life span. Partners must be prepared to ask: "has the partnership done what it set out to do?"

2. Community level alliances and partnerships

Community unionism is critical for expanding the union membership base, building solidarity across communities and diversities and keeping the gender equality agenda alive. Importantly, union efforts to reach out to atypical workers and those in the informal sector, the majority of whom are women, commonly are community-based, rather than centred on the workplace. In community-based organizing, for instance in the areas where workers live, unions often act in close cooperation with institutions providing support services, including local authorities, religious organizations, charities, organizations providing training or assistance to job seekers, women's groups.

Many unions recognize the need for strong partnerships between labour and the community, whether around organizing drives or pushing for improved community facilities and services or mobilizing against social programme cuts or fighting discrimination or racism at the community level. Union members are not just workers but also community members, consumers, members of religious, political groups. Important worker concerns like childcare facilities, education and training, health and social security cannot be resolved solely at the workplace. Many industrial actions like strikes and pay hikes have a direct impact on families and communities. In these actions, the support of public opinion or consumer pressure is often critical. It is easier to win public support when the union joins forces with groups sharing similar social concerns.

Local community alliances can substantially assist unions to attract and retain women members. Because their lives are so closely grounded in their families and communities, women have long been key proponents of a wider trade union agenda that includes such matters as the quality of community life, health care and childcare. Women and women's groups make excellent partners for trade unions at the local, community level.

Community unionism and alliances and partnerships with other community level actors can be on the basis of:

Guidelines:

Civil action on issues of common concern. Issues-based alliances tend to be most common. The gender-related and anti-discrimination issues that can be the basis for joint action by trade unions and other civil groups include: violence against women and children, sexual harassment, lesbian and gay rights, implementation of equal opportunity legislation, getting women into politics, elimination of child labour, fighting hate crimes, defending and promoting rights of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and ethnic minorities. The joint actions can involve public campaigns, lobbying the government, supporting other civil groups in demonstrations, issuing joint communiques or public statements, launching awareness raising campaigns.

Events-based alliances. Unions often cooperate closely with other local groups to jointly organize specific events, such as celebrations for Women's Day, Women's World March or the Million Moms' March. Although such events are time-bound, they can serve to widen union contacts and, importantly, to raise their public profile. Unions can also sponsor or participate with other groups in seminars, workshops on gender equality or women's issues - these are often useful for reaching out to potential members.

Providing direct services to communities. Unions often use their particular expertise or experience and resources to build up community unionism. They can provide direct services or facilities which help to bridge the gap between labour and the community. Unions may help NGOs, including with financial resources, to run different types of programmes, such as education and training programmes for women in the informal sector. Sometimes, it may be too large a task or too heavy a commitment of resources for a single union to provide such services, in which case several unions in a community could join together .

Improving community support structures and services. As members of a community, unions have a direct interest in working with both government and non-government organizations and other civil groups to improve community facilities and services - for community-based care facilities for children, the aged or disabled, for improved transportation, meals on wheels arrangements, ensuring health and safety in the community, supporting schools and education programmes, etc.

Promoting local economic development. Trade unions have a vested interest in local economic development, and can make an important contribution in terms of helping to determine and push for the kinds of jobs a community wishes to attract. Communities should seek employers committed to following 'high road' strategies, that pay a living wage, compete on the basis of efficiency and quality, promote gender equality and have anti-discrimination policies, and secure jobs with effective life-long training. In a virtuous circle, a community with a motivated and skilled workforce can build a strong industrial base and thereby attract investment from other good companies.

Organizing the unorganized. Collaboration with local NGOs enable unions to tap into the networks that NGOs have developed at grassroots level, especially with women in homebased production and other atypical forms of work, and introduce them to the benefits of union membership.

Taking legal action. Legal action can be an effective though expensive way to achieve equality rights, both within and outside the workplace. Unions can join with like-minded parties to use the courts to implement, overturn or clarify the meaning of specific legislation, force public officials to undertake or prevent certain acts, or seek new or better precedents to improve the position of women at the workplace or in society.

3. National Level Alliances

Trade unions have always held that a consistent defence of their members' interests over the long term requires them to work for political, social and industrial democracy, civil and democratic rights for all, the elimination of poverty, equality and the rule of law. As one of the largest, most organized and often most articulate groups in civil society, unions can play a major role in the economic, social and political direction of a nation. Building alliances with other civil groups is an essential part of this process, enabling unions to broaden their scope and strengthen their capacity to undertake issues of concern relating not just to employment but to the wider society and economy.

Social dialogue between trade unions, governments, employers and other representative bodies is necessary to build consensus over national development goals and means of action. Strong social institutions, including free trade unions, are vital to the development of human resources and the allocation of resources in a country. Social dialogue and a sound industrial relations system are crucial not only at the national level but also at the regional and international levels for establishing a social framework for globalization and some rules for the global market.

A number of strategies are available to trade unions at the national level to pursue the wider interests of working people, including protecting the rights of vulnerable women workers, through alliances and partnerships with other elements of civil society:

participating in tripartite structures and promoting social dialogue;

promoting democratization and defending human rights;

launching national campaigns on gender equality and women's issues;

taking legal action;

participating in national socio-economic development strategies;

working with the academic and research community.

Participating in tripartite structures and promoting social dialogue

Tripartite institutions with representation of workers' and employers' organizations and the State are an essential measure for ensuring that the labour movement has a strong and clear voice in the economic and social policies of a country. While not exactly an 'alliance' as such, they provide the forum for unions to negotiate and influence policy with the private sector and government and are, therefore, a critical means of building wider democracy.

Countries where tripartite institutions are weak and where there is a lack of social dialogue are often prone to economic, political and social instability. The countries that tend to have the strongest and most effective tripartite institutions are those where the labour movement is well developed and has had a long history of representing the rights of working women and men.

In some countries, tripartite cooperation and dialogue have led to comprehensive Social Pacts. In Europe, for example, unions have used social pacts to preserve jobs, promote investments and combat unemployment. It is important to note, however, that critics of social pacts argue that unions are required to make too many concessions, such as wage restraints, in exchange for assurances that jobs will be created or at least maintained.

National unions involved in tripartite institutions need to ensure that the equality agenda is fully integrated into the process of social dialogue. To do this, unions can:

Checklist:

Ensure that accurate and up-to-date information, particularly about the situation and implications for women vis-a-vis men, is provided as the basis for social dialogue;

Ensure that information is disaggregated by sex, and lobby national and local labour market institutions to establish systems for providing this type of disaggregated data;

Establish indicators to assess the impact on women of policies and programmes agreed upon through social dialogue;

Ensure that equality issues are not lost in wider national goals;

Ensure that women are adequately represented in the tripartite institutions and are able to participate actively in social dialogue.

Promoting democratization and defending human rights

At the national level, trade unions can play a central role in defending and promoting human rights, women's rights and democratization. Not only because civil and political liberties are essential preconditions for exercising labour rights, but also because it is most often workers - especially women workers -- who bear the brunt of human rights violations.

Union priorities include:

• Developing public opinion on the role of labour and trade union rights as the critical catalyst for the promotion of human rights and democratic institution building;
• Defining the role of unions in the promotion and monitoring of human rights and democracy;
• Exploring appropriate action programmes on human rights issues, in particular those relating to gender equality, child labour, social protection; and
• Ensuring that women's issues and concerns in civil liberties and human rights struggles are not lost in the broader agenda for social transformation.

To fulfil these priorities, trade unions need to collaborate with other civil society actors, including:

Checklist:

Establishing and maintaining contacts with national and international human rights and women's rights organizations and other civic institutions;

Keeping national and international media informed about human rights abuses against workers;

Providing accurate and up-to-date information about violations to all partners in the campaign, international solidarity networks, and international trade union structures;

Publicizing abuses using brochures, pamphlets, posters, media articles, press statements, the internet;

Establishing good contacts with the media in general and making good use of broadcast media - keeping them informed about particular developments and, where possible, making sure that they are on hand, together with other social partners, to record violations or abuses;

Organizing letter writing, petition signing, faxes, e-mails, phone-ins, pickets, boycotts;

Lobbying international agencies, development organizations, donor governments to condemn particular human rights abuses;

Reporting violations of trade union rights to international trade union structures and organizations, such as the ILO;

Ensuring that women play a central role in the campaigns and actions, and continually monitoring the impact on women - unless this is done, the fight for gender equality and, hence, for true democracy and human rights may be sidelined.

Many trade unions throughout the world have been instrumental in accelerating political transformation through their support and solidarity with the struggle to establish democratic institutions. In several African and Asian countries, the trade union movement played an important part in the struggle for the country's political independence. Women have been very active in these struggles, taking their place in the forefront of many of the civil actions. In a number of Latin American countries, there have been close political ties between trade union confederations and political parties.

However, the capacity of unions to campaign for greater democracy can only be credible if they demonstrate their own democratic credentials. This requires unions to continually assess and, if necessary, reconstruct their own representative capacity and internal processes of agenda building and decision-making. Promoting women's leadership within the union and ensuring that women's concerns are an integral part of the union agenda are essential prerequisites for deepening democracy within union structures.

Alliances for national campaigns on gender equality and women's issues

National campaigns, whether on reforming legislation, pressuring governments or awareness raising on issues of national concern, can give unions greater visibility and lend legitimacy to their claims of representing the broad interests of the country. While unions often take the lead, such campaigns cannot be undertaken by the labour movement alone and require active partnerships with other groups in the society.

National campaigns to promote gender equality and women workers' rights are commonly of two types:

• campaigns for legislative reform; and
• campaigns for national awareness raising.

Many countries have gaps in legislation with regard to equality issues. Lobbying for and enforcing legislation is often a long drawn out process, but can have wide impact. Unions can use international instruments, such as ILO Conventions, as the basis for legislative campaigns, promoting ratification and translation into effective national law and practice. Such campaigns require solid partnerships with groups with similar concerns, such as women's groups, law societies, student groups, human rights organizations, etc.

In many countries, issues of particular concern to women, such as sexual harassment, discrimination, domestic and other violence, are often not recognized at the societal level or are not taken seriously. Some unions may be reluctant to take on such issues, particularly where cultural, religious or ethnic beliefs and practices come into play. Nevertheless, it has often been alliances of trade unions, women's groups and human rights groups which have brought visibility to previously hidden issues and generated national awareness of highly discriminatory or exploitative practices. The success of such national campaigns to raise awareness of gender equality or women's issues depends to a great extent on the awareness raising techniques used, the strength of alliances with civic and community groups and the support of public opinion generated.

To forge alliances with other social partners for campaigns to raise awareness or to reform national legislation on women's issues, trade unions can:

Guidelines:

Network and share experiences with unions in other countries which have undertaken similar initiatives. International trade union structures and international trade secretariats (ITSs) have a wealth of information, experience and resources to assist in these types of campaigns;

Appoint a coordinator and/or steering committee for the campaign. Women's committees of trade unions are often ideally suited to take on such positions;

Compare legislation in other countries on similar issues;

Keep abreast of international conventions and use national and international fora to pressure governments towards ratification;

Contact and hold discussions with potential national level partners, including women's groups, law societies, human rights groups, students groups;

Develop a phased plan of action with these partners, beginning with general awareness raising for the public, so as to gain the broad support of public opinion;

Use innovative methods to reach a wider audience. This could be in the form of media and internet campaigns. Develop information materials for use in public institutions, trade union sites and partner agencies:

Organize seminars for key social actors, and invite key media persons to participate;

Make use of public events, such as International Women's Day, Labour Day, public festivals, to disseminate information about the campaign;

Network with and lobby key parliamentarians, government ministers and members of the judiciary;

Once the legislation is passed, ensure follow-up, monitoring and awareness raising of the relevant parties.

Taking legal action

In some cases, unions have forged alliances or partnerships with other civil groups to use the justice system and courts in the country to enforce rights, overturn unfair rulings and practices, or highlight gaps in legislation pertaining to gender discrimination or women workers' rights. While litigation is never free of difficulties, it can be an effective way to resolve a specific legal problem or to focus attention on the plight of a large group of workers.

Participating in national socio-economic development and employment strategies

The labour movement obviously has the capacity to make a unique contribution to the national development agenda. To become full partners in the development process of the country, trade unions may need to:

Guidelines: ⁽⁵⁾

Highlight the potential role of trade unions as development partners so as to change the misconception by the development community of unions as part of the problem rather than as part of the solution;

Make a case with donor agencies and global financial institutions for greater collaboration with trade unions in development programmes;

Define areas of common interest between development agencies and trade unions. These could include: women's employment promotion, micro-credit, cooperatives development, literacy and healthcare, the elimination of child labour, development projects, developing local institutions;

Provide donor agencies with union information resources and networks, particularly relating to the situation of vulnerable women workers;

Give regular training to affiliates and local union organizations in fundraising techniques and writing project documents. Make sure that the project documents mainstream gender concerns:

Ensure that projects implemented by local trade unions using development agency funds are regularly monitored and are meeting the stated objectives;

Provide regular reports and have regular meetings with development and donor agencies.

Working with the research and education community

Unions have been making increasing efforts to develop linkages with academic and research organizations to carry out research on important women's issues, such as childcare, maternity rights and pension reforms. More and more unions are recognizing the significance of research for keeping abreast of the shifts in work and the workforce, to determine the priorities of workers, to take a pro-active role in dealing with changes in the workplace, and to understand attitudes of workers and the civil population towards unions.

In many countries, unions and academic institutions jointly conduct labour training programmes. There can also be regular cooperation between independent but labour linked educational institutions and trade unions. This can take the form of provision of services, such as jointly conducting training courses or joint education and organizing programmes.

4. International solidarity and alliances [ ICFTU, A Trade Union Guide to Globalization]

"Whether they know it or not, workers who try to organize a trade union or who find themselves in a difficult collective bargaining situation, have trade unions all over the world on their side........International solidarity means more than answering calls for help from workers in desperate situations. International solidarity includes a wide range of mutual assistance. Trade unions can show solidarity by sharing information about the common employer with trade unions in other countries. Trade unions, by consulting with their foreign counterpart before making decisions that affect the members of their counterpart unions, are also showing solidarity. Ensuring that the international activities of a trade union also contribute to the strengthening of the organizations of the international trade union movement is showing solidarity as well". ⁽⁶⁾

The protection of women workers' rights has to be seen increasingly in the context of globalization, in particular the situation of women in increasingly complex international production chains and their position vis-a-vis increasingly powerful and ubiquitous multinational enterprises (MNEs).

In this context, international labour structures and international alliances and solidarity to influence and direct the internationalization of production, development and trade are very relevant. Trade unions have been opening up their strategies, activities, procedures and structures to the new international dimension and forging international and global alliances with non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations.

International solidarity and alliances can take many forms:

• Solidarity within the international trade union movement, which essentially involves requesting and providing assistance between:

the international trade union organizations and their national affiliates,

counterpart organizations, especially where they share common affiliation (for example, between trade unions in different countries which have the same multinational employer or are members of the same International Trade Secretariat),

the international trade union movement and other international non-governmental or inter-governmental organizations.

• Organizing international campaigns or joint action, including with NGOs, and inter-governmental organizations to:

promote or protect trade union rights, mainly targeting governments;

promote or protect workers' rights, and mainly targeting multinational corporations;

promote or lobby on broad social issues of global concern, including women's issues and child labour.

• Participating in international fora and international institutions to:

give working people a voice in the international arena;

highlight the plight of vulnerable groups and raise international awareness of their concerns.

International cooperation can be particularly relevant for women workers. An important aspect is the potential for organizing effective international pressure in support of women workers in countries where they are denied freedom of association or are subject to very poor working conditions or exploitation by multinational enterprises. Especially since women are often the basis of cheap labour policies in developing countries but have little or no recourse vis-a-vis the powerful multinational corporations employing them, the support of international organized or coordinated efforts is often critical [ Booklet 4].

4.1. Solidarity within the international trade union movement

To connect and influence workers and their unions across country borders, participation by trade unionists in the international trade union movement is essential.

The international trade union organizations are namely the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), the World Confederation of Labour (WCL) and the International Trade Secretariats (ITSs). There are also the regional trade union bodies such as the regional organizations of ICFTU in Africa (ICFTU-AFRO), in Asia-Pacific (ICFTU-APRO) and the Inter-American Organization of Workers (ICFTU-ORIT), the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ⁽⁷⁾.

Practical solidarity within the international trade union movement is essentially a matter of requesting and providing assistance - between the international trade union organizations and their affiliates, and between affiliates themselves across national borders. The assistance can be in the form of providing financial or technical assistance, supplying information, conducting education and training, lobbying on behalf of national affiliates or backing up solidarity or organizing campaigns.

International solidarity is not only in times of disputes or campaigns against employers or national governments. International cooperation is also important for organizing workers in multinational corporations (MNEs) and strengthening the trade unions' capacity to defend and promote their rights. Practical international solidarity should also relate to the day-to-day work of trade unions, "it is building ongoing relationships, support and understanding which will help everybody do better work in our common trade union mission". ⁽⁸⁾

But at the international level, it is not always a simple matter for some trade unions to request assistance and for others to provide the assistance. Whether requesting or showing solidarity, trade unions need to remember that:

Checklist:

Things may work very differently in one country from another. There are differences in systems of industrial relations and labour practices. Lack of understanding by others of specific relevant features of laws or practices can limit the effectiveness of solidarity. Specific activities may be effective in one country and not in another or may not be possible or appropriate. Accurate information will help to identify the most effective tactic;

The details of a particular issue or dispute or the company involved may be common knowledge or widely reported in one country but not known in another. Therefore, it is essential to provide full and accurate information in seeking solidarity. The government or MNC could challenge or correct the information, and this would undermine the credibility of the trade union claim and destroy the basis for solidarity;

International activities may take time to organize, especially where there are practical difficulties, such as language differences. Good working relationships also take time to develop. Therefore, it is important to give early notice of requests for support;

The structures of, and the relationships between, trade union organizations at different levels should be respected. In requesting or providing assistance, keep in mind the structure of national centres, ITS and ICFTU affiliates, and counterpart organizations;

Regular reports must be provided to keep international supporters informed of developments, including significant changes in the situation, precise details of resolutions and terms of settlements. Whether the campaign is won or lost, international partners in other countries must be thanked for their support.

The main strategies for real, practical and effective international solidarity include:

coordinating solidarity or protest messages;

sharing and disseminating information and research;

improving communications across national borders;

education and training;

legal action;

direct cross-border sectoral assistance;

negotiating framework agreements;

organizing and supporting international campaigns or joint action addressing governments or employers [ Section 4.2].

Coordinating solidarity or protest messages

Trade union action at the national level is often much more effective when accompanied and supported by international solidarity. In some cases, trade unions depend for their survival on the ability of unions in other countries to deliver solidarity when needed. Women workers, in particular those in export processing zones, have often been supported in their struggles to organize by international solidarity.

"In some countries, the mere threat of action by international trade union organizations has been sufficient to achieve settlements, secure the reinstatement of sacked union leaders or end legal attacks on unions" ⁽⁹⁾

Sharing and disseminating information and research

The international trade union organizations can supply national affiliates with the information and research they need for the international dimensions of their work. In a globalizing world, trade unions need up-to-date and accurate information about: the multinational enterprise (MNE) they are dealing with; what the MNE applies in its operations in different countries; what constitutes good practice or norms in any industry or sector; what trade unions in other countries are already doing; how their proposed actions are likely to have international implications.

The International Trade Secretariats (ITSs) are an important source of information on companies and industries, not only facts and figures but also insights into corporate practices and cultures. They also help by providing tips to affiliated unions about gathering information and contacting other trade unions, friendly organizations, local companies or MNEs.

Improving networking and communications across national borders

An important element of international solidarity is the strengthening of networking and communications between union members, local unions, national unions, national centres and international trade union organizations.

For women trade unionists, networking strategies both within countries and across borders are particularly important for building up the support structures for their cause, sharing experiences and resources, raising their profile and strengthening their voice in national and international campaigns.

Unions are also making increasing use of new technologies such as e-mail and the internet to boost traditional networking strategies and to speed the flow of information between the international trade union organizations and affiliates and between each other. A recent example is Global Unions, the world trade union movement's new web site. Another example is the Union Network International's UNI Journalists Network [ http://union-network.org]

Education and training

Another way in which international solidarity is practised is through the education and training that the international trade union organizations offer to their affiliates. The international trade union organizations have developed and tested educational materials and training programmes, and they can sponsor training, including covering the financial costs, for unions in less developed countries. Such education and training can be especially useful for enhancing the effective participation of women in trade unions.

Legal action

International solidarity can also be put into practice by trade unions taking up lawsuits on behalf of vulnerable workers in other countries. Such action can also include appeals to international courts to win rights for workers at the national level.

Direct cross border sectoral assistance

Unions in developed countries can provide resources, sometimes including financial resources, and support to unions and workers in developing countries, particularly to unions involved in the same sector or working for the same company. This should not be seen as charity but as solidarity. Such cross border action needs to be mindful of possible cultural and language barriers and respectful of democratic structures in other unions.

Negotiating framework agreements

Particularly with the help of the ITSs, unions can coordinate their strategies at the international level to negotiate with specific multinational companies or sectors. In the best of cases, negotiations can lead to framework agreements. Such framework agreements are agreements on certain principles which, while they do not constitute collective agreements in the same sense as agreements reached at the national or local levels, provide a rights framework to encourage recognition and bargaining to take place at those levels. The framework agreements can refer to internationally recognized standards, and can incorporate follow-up, review and monitoring mechanisms.

For example, the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Association (IUF) has negotiated framework agreements with both the Danone Group and the Nestlè Group that cover all the companies of the two groups and that include strong provisions for the promotion of gender equality [ Booklet 3, Section 3.1.b].

4.2. Organizing Campaigns and Joint Actions

Increasingly, international trade union campaigns involve alliances and partnerships with non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations and the support of the wider public and consumers. International campaigns can be reactive in terms of responding to government or company actions or trade union requests for assistance. Several high-profile campaigns have had to do with abuses of women workers' rights or exploitation of women through "cheap labour policies" linked to foreign investments. Campaigns can also be pro-active, where the long-term objective is to put a human face to globalization, to put in place rules at the international level that will protect the human dignity and freedom of workers and contribute to social and economic progress and justice.

International solidarity and alliances to organize campaigns and joint actions are mainly on the basis of:

protecting or promoting trade union and women workers' rights, mainly directed at governments;

promoting global concerns and action on women's rights;

protecting or promoting workers' rights vis-a-vis the employer;

developing corporate social responsibility;

Alliances in campaigns to protect or promote trade union and women workers' rights

Many disputes with companies involve violations of trade union rights. But the ultimate responsibility lies with Governments for respecting or protecting the basic trade union rights of its citizens. These rights are provided for in established international standards, treaty obligations and national legislation.

Trade union rights campaigns are therefore almost always directed at specific governments, and they address interference with the right of workers to organize, including the dismissal or imprisonment of activists and trade union organizers, limits or bans on trade unions, or the suppression of strikes. Campaigns can also address less flagrant violations of trade union rights, such as excessive administrative obstacles or unduly long and complicated procedures for trade union recognition, interference in the internal affairs of a union or failure by the employer to bargain in good faith. Sometimes, too, investment incentives offered by governments to attract international business may contain provisions that infringe the rights of workers to join unions and bargain collectively.

To conduct a successful trade union and women workers' rights campaign, unions should:

Checklist:

Relate the rights campaign to the obligations of governments. Violations of trade union and women workers' rights occur where governments do not observe established international standards or even treaty obligations or where they fail to adopt adequate national legislation or do not adequately enforce national legislation;

Be familiar with the international instruments addressing workers rights, in particular women workers' rights [ Booklet 2 on the relevant ILO Standards]:

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948 (No.87);

Right to Organize and to Bargain Collectively Convention, 1949 (No.98);

Collective Bargaining Convention, 1981 (No.154) and Recommendation, 1981 (No.163);

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958)

(No.111) and Recommendation, 1958 (No.111).

Where disputes with companies involve violations of trade union rights, address campaigns also to companies. However, take care to ensure that the government concerned is not absolved of the ultimate responsibility.

Learn how to submit complaints through national centres or the international trade union organizations to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association [ "Stand up for your Rights" on ICFTU Website, http://www.icftu.org ]. The ILO Committee on Freedom of Association examines complaints of violations of the international instruments and provides reports with conclusions and recommendations to the ILO Governing Body. The Committee decisions often lead to positive changes because of the international pressure on national governments.

Provide accurate, complete and well-documented information, so as to ensure that there is a strong basis for complaints that are lodged. To provide such information, good cooperation is needed between local unions and their national centres, between the national centres and the international trade union organizations and other human rights groups.

Maintain good relations and communications with international human rights and women's groups and the media for the regular sharing of information and coordination of campaign actions and efforts.

Since rapid responses to appeals for solidarity are often critical for the success of a campaign, it is important to have arrangements for an ongoing process of promoting and protecting trade union rights.

Promoting global concerns and action on women's rights

International trade unions, being conscious of the links between the workplace, civil society, the state and global forces, have been increasingly involved in alliances and strategies of issues of global concern. Several of these issues are especially important for women. These include, for example, an action programme on violence against women, a global campaign for ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Migrants, a programme of action to fight HIV/AIDS, and the Maternity Convention Campaign. Since these are broad-based concerns, they can attract a great deal of support and, clearly, alliances are easier to forge around such issues. In addition, since they are high-profile issues, the global programmes and campaigns are an excellent way to enhance public awareness of the social role of unions and that unions have moved well beyond their sectional interest in labour issues.

Protecting or promoting workers' rights vis-a-vis the employer (Company campaigns)

International campaigns targeting companies, especially multinational companies, need not always be related to trade union disputes with an employer. They can be part of a strategic plan to organize workers employed by specific companies in specific countries or to enhance the trade union presence in an MNE.

They can aim to enhance corporate accountability to society. As MNEs are increasingly outsourcing much of their production and services throughout different parts of the world, the result has been far-flung production chains with little central corporate responsibility for worker abuse by smaller companies or contractors along the supply chain. It is commonly women workers in these smaller companies or working for individual contractors who are most exploited or abused.

Company campaigns at the international level can:

• apply pressure to the parent corporation by focussing on the company's financial relationships or its Board of Directors;
• use shareholder actions to raise issues of corporate social responsibility at the annual shareholder meeting of the company;
• be more strategic or comprehensive by focussing on the vulnerabilities or "pressures points" that can be used to influence company behaviour. These "pressure points" include customers, suppliers and/or investors of the company:

• use the international relationships of the company. Trade unions in the different countries that are part of the supply chain structure of a multinational company could be asked to participate in the campaign. The campaigns also often find common grounds with other groups, such as environmental, consumer, human rights, women's rights or community groups, concerned with some aspect of the targeted company.

Campaign strategies can include:

Solidarity work between international and national unions. For example, some ITSs have formed multinational union alliances to systematically coordinate the actions of affiliates to put truly global pressure on MNEs.

Alliances and partnerships with other pressure groups, including consumer, human rights and women's rights groups. Such partnerships can also apply pressure or lobby governments in support of their campaigns against companies: