9 May, 2011Unions in IBM that are affiliates of the International Metalworkers' Federation, the European Metalworkers' Federation and UNI Global union have agreed that the three union federations sign an agreement creating a Global Union Alliance in IBM
SWITZERLAND: At a combined global union meeting on May 6 at UNI's offices in Nyon, Switzerland, affiliates from the IMF, the EMF and UNI that have membership in IBM unanimously endorsed a document that creates a Global Union Alliance in IBM. According to the agreement signed by the three federations, unions in IBM commit themselves to working together at global level to strengthen cooperation and implement joint action, with a view to engaging IBM in dialogue at global level and increasing union membership at IBM.
Having endorsed the formation of the Alliance, unions present agreed that the first joint action of the Alliance should be held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of IBM which will be celebrated by the company on June 16. Unions worldwide in IBM will mark the anniversary of the company by joining in actions which will promote the important role of unions in looking after worker interests in the company and demand respect for IBM employees, including respect for their union rights.
The IBM unions also agreed that the Global Union Alliance should work to increase unionization in the company, share information on collective agreements with IBM and support unions facing anti-union actions by the company.