This bumper summer edition of the TUC’s Global Solidarity Update bulletin contains the latest international solidarity news and issues affecting trade unionists around the world, including reports, statements, blogs, interviews and events from a wide range of reputable sources. 

We hope you enjoy this edition and we thank you for your continual support in reading and sharing this bulletin.  

In this issue: 
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TUC NEWS

TUC’s Organise 2020

The TUC held its hugely successfully online digital event, Organise 2020, on 9–11 July. It was the organisation’s first venture into exclusively using online technology to organise, promote and host an interactive festival consisting of creative ideas and up to 30 workshops, aimed at transforming the trade union movement and readying it for the challenging times ahead in a more focused digital age. The three day festival, which saw audience members interact and engage in online conversations and debates, saw the launch of the Organise 2020 pledge, an initiative for UK trade unions to affirm their commit to help build a more sustainable and long lasting movement. Over three thousand people took part during the event, with more viewers tuning in online for some key sessions.

There were several internationally focused sessions that were recorded, and links are included below for viewing and sharing. 
 

Organise 2020: Union wins during the Covid-19 crisis

Trade unions have played a fundamental role in protecting workers during the Covid-19 crisis. This session heard about union successes, both here and internationally, in winning for workers during the crisis. The session also detailed how safeguarding agreements were reached and the strategies that were used used to get there.

Watch the webinar here (47:20)
 

Organise 2020: Organising against the far right

The purpose of this session (1:55) was to raise awareness about the growing threat of the far right and hear from trade unionists in India, Brazil and the US – where there are elected leaders promoting racist narratives – and to give an overview of the global situation. In the current context of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is also relevant to explore how authoritarian regimes are using the crisis to crack down on rights and promote harmful anti-migrant and racist narratives.
 

Organise 2020: Online organising – lessons from Australia

As Australian unions face challenges that UK unions will recognise, they have turned to digital campaigning and organising to fight back. We heard in this webinar (47:32) how Australian unions are utilising digital platforms, new technology and social media to organise, win campaigns and build power for Australian workers.
 

Organise 2020: Organising on the climate crisis and just transition

The climate crisis is now urgent. The UK, along with many other countries, has adopted a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. A just transition is necessary to ensure that we do not save the planet at the cost of workers' jobs and communities. The Global South, meanwhile, suffers most from global warming, despite having contributed least to the problem. A just transition is needed for workers in both the Global North and South. Climate change is a major trade union issue and, having galvanised young people like few other challenges in recent years, is an important organising opportunity for trade unions in the months and years ahead.

Watch the webinar here (58:03)
 

Organise 2020: Spotlight on women organisers

Session with a focus on women organisers from across the international union movement. Panel included chair: Gail Cartmail, ASG, Unite. Speakers: Vicky Smallman, Director of women and human rights, Canadian Labour Congress, Christina McAnea, assistant general secretary, UNISON, Shavanah Taj, general secretary Wales TUC, Marissa Begonia, Rep, Unite, Lady Phyll, founder of UK Black Pride – via video message.

Full webinar here (59:34)
 

Organise 2020: Building international solidarity – organising in the most dangerous places in the world for workers

In countries around the world, workers face imprisonment, death threats and even murder for organising and defending their member’s rights. This session heard from organisers working in some of the worst countries for workers in the world and explored how we can build international solidarity across borders. Speakers from Colombia, Turkey and Palestine shared their experiences and how they are organising to confront the longstanding abuses of rights and the current crisis. 
 

Organise 2020: Amazon – global union organising within a multinational company

Amazon is one of the most challenging companies for union organisers around the world. In this session (1:28), we heard from key workers on the ground in Spain, the US and here in the UK about the challenges and successes. We also heard from tech workers organising around climate change, plus a round-up of the global situation and Amazon's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
 

Organise 2020: Tackling far-right ideology

This workshop discussed how best to tackle the mainstreaming of far-right ideology that has become increasingly rampant throughout society. What lessons can we learn and what workplace initiatives are available to win unity in workplaces and in our communities?

Full webinar here (55:37)
 

Tolpuddle 2020: Building solidarity and stopping exploitation of migrant workers in agriculture

The Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival held annually in Somerset was cancelled this year because of the global pandemic. However, arrangements were made for the festival to be held online via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube live streams from 17 to 19 July.
This session highlighted the exploitation of migrant workers in agriculture in the UK and in Spain exacerbated by the pandemic. We heard from Spanish union CCOO’s work on advocating for the rights of migrants, organise migrant workers and countering far right political movements in Spain.

Full webinar here (1:00)
 

Tolpuddle 2020: Supporting human rights through trade deals

This international session heard from Emily Thornberry, shadow secretary for trade, who took part along with Diogenes Orjuela, president of CUT, Colombia. The session looked at how trade deals could be used to enforce respect for human rights conspiring trade deals like the UK-Colombia trade deal, which contains commitments to respect human rights but no effective enforcement. It highlighted what the Labour party was doing to raise the issue in parliament and how UK unions are working with sister centres to lobby for trade deals to enforce workers’ rights and promote good jobs.
Watch the video here (scroll from 1:04:01) Please note this version has not been translated from Spanish but we hope to have a translated version soon. 

OTHER INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TUC solidarity statement on Belarus

In solidarity with independent trade unions in Belarus, TUC General Secretary, Frances O'Grady wrote this letter to the Belarus Ambassador to London to condemn the brutal repression of trade unionists and activists in Belarus during the wide spread strikes and workplace protests.

Read the TUC solidarity statement on Belarus here

IndustriALL solidarity with the people of Lebanon

Global union IndustriALL expressed shock and sadness at the terrible destruction and loss of life in Beirut, Lebanon, after an explosion at the city’s port in August 2020.
Read the statement here
 

#BlackLivesMatter

After the brutal murder of George Floyd in May by police officers in Minneapolis, USA, the TUC sent out this statement condemning the horrific crime, calling for institutional racism and systemic oppression of black communities in the States and the UK to stop. We continued to raise concerns around the disproportionate loss of BME lives during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has shone a light on long-standing, structural race inequality and raised serious issues that have yet to be fully answered.

The UK trade union movement engaged in open and frank debates in many online events including this one at the first online Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival held in July 2020.
 

Global union federations demand release of Rong Chhun and other trade unionists in Cambodia 

Global union federations with affiliates across Asia Pacific region, condemned the arrest of Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, and calls on the Royal Government of Cambodia to drop the charges and release him immediately.

Read more here
 

Further trade unionist killings in Colombia

In mid-June, the ITUC published its annual Global Rights Index which once again identified Colombia as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for trade unionists, with at least 14 murders between January 2019 and March 2020. The report also named Colombia among the ten worst countries for general labour rights. Further trade unionist killings have taken place since the ITUC report’s publication, including that of Ovidio Baena of the USO oil workers’ union (which has partnerships with Unite and UNISON) on 26 June.
 

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions labelled as terrorist organisation

The ITUC wrote to the President of Zimbabwe to strongly condemn and object to the classification of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions as a terrorist organisation and the persistent harassment and persecution of trade unionists. The ZCTU has been receiving solidarity support from sister trade unions across Africa.

Read the ITUC letter here
 

Huge wave of strikes hits Iranian energy sector

On 4 August 2020, thousands of workers took strike action in Iran’s South Pars gas fields, protesting about the late payment of wages and poor working conditions.

Read more here
 

IFI NEWS

Unions welcome Argentina’s deal to restructure billions of dollars in foreign debt

Argentina has taken a fundamental step on the road to recovery of its economic sovereignty by renegotiating a huge portion of its overseas debt - saving the country around US$30bn dollars. Unions in Argentina have long called for the restructuring of the country’s debilitating levels of foreign debt, which have been a major obstacle to economic recovery.
 

Unions and municipalities protest in Costa Rica against pandemic spending cuts

On 23 July, Costa Rican trade unions and their allies organised a huge vehicle parade and rally to protest against the neoliberal policies of the new government. In concert with the OECD, the World Bank and the IMF, the government under the cover of Covid-19 is attacking workers’ rights and undermining Costa Rican democracy.
 

G20 finance ministers’ meeting fails to rise to the challenge

According to the ITUC, the statement of the meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on 18 July, falls well below what the world needs to combat the devastating health and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read the ITUC letter to G20 finance ministers on financing Covid-19 recovery and resilience plans.
 

CALLS TO ACTION

ACT NOW! Jordan: Release leaders of the Jordanian Teacher Association

In Jordan, the teachers' union had concerns about the way the government was handling the coronavirus crisis. The government's response was to arrest leading members of the union, raid the union offices and shut the union down for the next two years. Riot police were then deployed to break up peaceful demonstrations by teachers denouncing the crackdown on trade union rights.

Read more and take action here
 

ACT NOW! Brazil: Tell Santander to stop sacking workers during the pandemic

Banking multinational Santander has broken its promise not to fire workers in Brazil during the Covid-19 pandemic. Santander Brazil made a commitment with UNI Global Union affiliate union Contraf-CUT to safeguard jobs during the health crisis. However, the bank has announced plans to cut 20 per cent of its workforce (over 9,000 people), even though the virus is still raging in the country.

Read more and take action here
 

ACT NOW! India: Workers' rights under attack

Many states in India are using the coronavirus crisis as an excuse to suspend labour laws and attack workers’ rights, as the central government of Narendra Modi continues its assault on the trade union movement. These attacks on workers’ rights were made through executive orders when the legislative assemblies or parliament were not in session. The changes were made without consultation with trade unions and undermine fundamental principles and rights at work. The Indian government must withdraw these changes, strengthen the labour inspectorate and provide social security for all.

Read more and take action here

Read how India’s central trade unions jointly called on workers across the country to take action on 9 August and intensify protests against the anti-worker policies of the Modi government here
 

ACT NOW! Turkey: Women workers dismissed from SF Trade for union organising

Four women workers were dismissed in July from SF Trade in Izmir, Turkey, for organising a union at the leather and textile company.
Watch the video and take action here

There is widespread concern across Turkey as President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party considers pulling the country out of an international accord designed to protect women. Campaigners see the pact as key to combating rising domestic violence.
 

ACT NOW! Zimbabwe: Drop charges and reinstate dismissed nurses now

The Zimbabwean government has arrested 13 nurses who were protesting their deteriorating pay and working conditions. They have since been released on bail but have been dismissed. With the inflation rate hovering around 1,000 per cent, the cost of living has risen so rapidly and steeply as to render public sector salaries almost worthless.

Read more and take action here
 

ACT NOW! The UN must stop deserting the conflict in Western Sahara!

Western Sahara Campaign UK will present a petition to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, calling for the UN to end inaction on the conflict in Western Sahara and to allow the Saharawi people to express itself on its political future through a referendum, as it is entitled to under international law. Please sign the petition and, as appropriate, send to your members.

 Read more and sign the petition here
 

FOCUS ON TRADE UNIONISTS

Organise 2020: Building stronger unions around the globe – in conversation with ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow

Keynote speaker: International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) General Secretary Sharan Burrow in conversation. Interview with journalist Ellie Mae O’Hagan.
Sharon Burrow, the ITUC's first woman leader, comes from an organising background in Australia's NSW Teacher’s Federation and was President of the Australian Education Union. She shared a global perspective on the current crisis and how trade unions are organising to grow the movement and defend their members around the world.

Full interview here (59:25)
 

JFC interview with El Espectador, Nelson Alarcón president of FECODE, Colombian teacher’s union

The president of Colombia’s largest trade union, FECODE, has rejected government plans to reopen Colombian schools after they were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. In an interview with El Espectador, Nelson Alarcón said that conditions remain too dangerous for teachers and students, and that this situation is likely to continue for the rest of the year. According to FECODE, 155 teachers and close family members have died from Covid-19, while there have been 2,544 cases among teachers.

You can read a full transcript of the interview with Nelson Alarcón (translated by JFC) here
 

EVENTS / COURSES

Jobs, security, dignity – TUC Congress 2020

14–15 September 2020
TUC Congress 2020 is going ahead – and every trade unionist is invited to join us online.
On the mornings of Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 September, trade union members from across the UK will discuss the huge impact of coronavirus on working lives and how we stop mass unemployment. We’ll hear from Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer and TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady, as well as union leaders and frontline workers. The union movement will thank our key workers, and demand the pay rise they have earned.

Sign up to attend here from now and please share on Facebook and twitter using #TUC20.     
  

GLU free online course: Global Supply Chains in Times of Covid-19: Responding to Challenges and Building Anew

Tuesday 25 August 2020
The Global Labour University (GLU) is launching another free online course on "Global Supply Chains in Times of Covid-19: Responding to Challenges and Building Anew" (course trailer).

Full details to enroll now
 

NSCAG Practicar hablar en Español: Revolutionary film night and discussion

Tuesday 25 August 2020, 6.00pm–7.00pm BST
Online, Zoom
Enjoy a nice cup of tea or NSC’s Fairtrade Nicaraguan coffee and join Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign (NSC) and its excellent teacher, Dante, for an online social event to converse in Spanish. They will be showing short films in Spanish about the Sandinista Revolution and Nicaraguan social movements, followed by a discussion in Spanish.

Full details and registration is here

NSCAG is offering a new online Spanish course, with a Latin American flavour, from Monday 14 September. Full details and cost are here
 

NSCAG webinar: Trade unions – the Nicaraguan example

Thursday 27 August, 6.00pm–7.30pm
NSCAG will be holding a free online webinar, with guest speakers from two Nicaraguan trade unions who will discuss the way in which they have seen their rights restored and the significant improvements for workers and working conditions, since the election of the FSLN (Sandinista National Liberation Front) in 2007. Nicaraguan trade unions enjoy a valued place in society and play a central role in the economic and social development of the country. In this webinar you will hear more about the Nicaraguan model of trade unionism and the benefits this brings to Nicaraguan workers and their families.
Full details and registration details here