Video: Organising Globally - Fighting for our Rights

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Organising Globally - Fighting for Our Rights

ORGANISING GLOBALLY SCRIPT

MICK DOLEMAN, MUA
AUSTRALIA

Workers now realise that to combat the excesses of globalisation, and the worst excesses of exploitation of workers around the world -particularly in developing countries, there is an absolute need for workers to organise globally, to campaign globally, and to support each other globally.

VOICEOVER 1

Transport industry globalisation has intensified in recent years. Multinationals operate global supply chains with finely tuned just-in-time delivery systems. Logistics is now the world’s most strategic industry. At the same time, informal transport work and job instability is growing. Because companies are nervous that their supply chains might be disrupted, they will do everything they can to undermine union organisation.

PATRINA SAMUELS, GLU
GUYANA

As soon as the company and management hear the union is trying to come in, what they try to do is take all the steps to prevent the union from getting in.

SANDRO LERRO, TEAMSTERS
USA

The difficulties I faced from the companies while I was organising - and we had a strike in 2004 for 2 and a half weeks. I got a lot of phone calls, threatening me, telling me I had to get out of Miami, that they were going to kill me, that they were going to do this and that - I'm still alive, nothing happened.

VOICEOVER 2

Organising is a real challenge when employment is informal or fragmented.

OUPA OLD JOHN, SATAWU
SOUTH AFRICA

Are we guaranteed in terms of job security, do we know Government
in terms of plan and law for us? As drivers, let’s talk about drivers!

JANE BARRETT, SATAWU
SOUTH AFRICA

Often the existing union members see those other workers as a bit of a threat, because they are brought in under different conditions, and they are seen as a potential group for undermining existing collective rights.

CHRÉTIEN KOSSI BANGO, SYNAZEB
BENIN

We had no trade union to protect the informal workers. We did not know our rights. This is why we have decided to create a structure to fight for the interests of our members.

VOICEOVER 3

ITF unions are changing tactics to face the challenges.

GEORGE ABRAHAM, AIEG
INDIA

We have changed with the times. Our union has now got a new name –
'Aviation Industry Employees Guild.' We’ve created a larger umbrella for all the workers in the aviation industry.

JOE CONDO, TCU
USA

We're always looking for another group of people to organise. Everyone wants to expand their membership because their core groups seem to be shrinking.

SANDRO LERRO, TEAMSTERS
USA

Over the CB radio, we spread the word. We decide - let's say we're going to meet in this park, in some part of Miami. And we spread the word over the radio, we start using phones, calling each other. And by the end of the week, everybody knows. You got 2000 drivers that know where the meeting is, and are willing to be there.

PATRINA SAMUELS, GLU
GUYANA

What our union decided to do was to get 2 or 3 young people, train them for a week and send them in to this company and organise these people.

KALYAN DEY, DHL WORKER
INDIA

There are about 300 workers in DHL, Delhi. None of them are organised. It will take some time, but I will try to create union activities.

VOICEOVER 4

ITF unions are building membership, strength and capacity.

SANDRO LERRO, TEAMSTERS
USA

I didn't have to force them that much, because they want it. They know what a union is - when you belong to a union you get benefits, you get respect, you get better wages, you get a pension. So they know what a union is about and that's why they want it. They know they are being stepped on and they are not getting what they deserve.

GEORGE ABRAHAM, AIEG
INDIA

Already there is a lot of interest generated amongst the civil aviation workers especially those not organised so far, to join our union. Lots of airlines have their call centres in India. With this change in name we can also enroll as members, all these call centre employees who very badly need to be unionised.

BOB CROW, RMT
GREAT BRITAIN

The more members you get, the bigger say you’ve got, the better pay and conditions you get and the stronger you become. We've increased our membership, from just over 50,000 to 70,000 in the last 4 and a half years.

SANDRO LERRO, TEAMSTERS
USA

In the future, the near future, most companies in Miami, they’re going to be union.

DAVID COCKROFT,
ITF GENERAL SECRETARY

As transport workers, we power the world's economy. We must not forget how strong we can be. We must organise across borders. We must link together to realise our strengths. Together, we must work for a world where workers' rights are guaranteed. That's what organising globally means.

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