Anti-union thuggery in the port of Mumbai, longterm intimidation tactics at Delta Airlines, discrimination against Asian and African seafarers – we have, sadly, a not unusual caseload of labour standards abuses to share with TI readers this issue. Gratifyingly though, it is clear that unions are fighting back with vigour and determination. It is also encouraging to note how many recent union victories have been achieved through the coordinated efforts of more than one union group. These are cases that add, not only to the arguments for joining a trade union (a selection of which are voiced by seafarers on page 17), but also to the body of evidence on the growing value of solidarity and cooperation between unions.

ITF inspectors representing unions in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the USA recently spent months on a coordinated campaign to bring better pay and conditions to seafarers working on a flag of convenience tanker fleet of 14 vessels, only three of which were covered by ITF minimum wages and conditions. Their coordinated efforts in gathering information, inspecting ships, and contacting the company and its charterers, were rewarded in May with a momentous agreement extending ITF minimum standards to the entire fleet.

In Romania, members of the aviation and metro workers union USLMA joined other unions to demonstrate against an alarming set of proposed amendments to the country’s labour code. The demonstration of 10,000 workers succeeded in blocking the proposals which would have done away with collective bargaining and the country’s 48-hour maximum working week.

In Spain the aviation unions CC.OO and UGT have secured a historic deal guaranteeing minimum terms and conditions for all ground staff employed by companies working in Spanish airports. The agreement applies regardless of any company sales or takeovers and will be enforced by the national aviation authority.

The pressures faced by unions today are creating a climate where cooperation is almost forced onto union organisations. This is happening at local and national levels. It is even emerging at global level, where historic unification talks are taking place between the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, the World Confederation of Labour and other unions, with a view to forming a new international confederation. As the union movement sometimes has to remind itself – unity is strength.