Google free translation: Italiano, Norske, Português, Türk, 中国的, 한국의, Bahasa Melayu, ภาษาไทย, हिंदी, اردو, தமிழ், Kiswahili, Deutsch, Español, Français, Svenska, Русский, العربية

Arlette comes from a small town called Victoria in Chile.

She was born when Pinochet was still in power.

At the age of 18 she moved to the capital Santiago to read history at university. It was difficult, however, to find employment related to her studies and she accepted an attractive offer to work for the main Chilean airline as cabin crew.

She has been working for LAN Chile Cabin Crew Union for approximately six years now and is very proud of the work she has achieved as an active member.  They have increased the level of union density from 50% to about 80%. This has been mainly due to a variety of campaigns. Arlette focused particularly on younger workers, who were reluctant to organise as Trade unions had been tainted by the fallout of years of bad publicity under Pinochet’s dictatorship. There was also an atmosphere of indifference and apathy.

Earlier this year her union won their greatest achievement, by winning a change in the Chilean Labour Legislation. Arlette and her fellow employees now enjoy legislation governing working hours, rest periods and maternity protection, amongst other rights.  LAN Chile are constantly seeking to extend their goals. They have a network of contacts with various trade unions across the Latin America Network, both in Chile and in Argentina. 

Earlier this year she was appointed on to the Regional Women’s Committee for Latin America, the Caribbean and Panama