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Aerospace Steering Committee

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15 June, 2012IndustriALL Global Union gathered representatives of its affiliated aerospace unions together, 9 to 11 July 2012, in London, England in conjunction with the Farnborough Air Show. These union representatives came from some of the world’s most powerful aerospace unions including participants from North America, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Participants toured the Farnborough Air Show where they witnessed both the positive and negative aspects of the globalization of the aerospace industry. They saw firsthand the rise of the aerospace industry in countries like China, and they saw how aerospace companies had continued to outsource significant segments of their work. 

During the second day of our meeting, participants exchanged views on what they had observed at the air show. They commented on dangerous trends in the industry including the use of temporary, precarious, and contingent workers. They also discussed efforts to counter the growing use of anti-union activities, including promoting the development of aerospace union networks, building partnerships, negotiating international frameworks, and most importantly organizing and coordinated bargaining. 

At the conclusion of the conference, participants agreed to strengthen the global alliance of the world’s aerospace unions that was founded in Seattle, Washington two years ago. Participants also agreed that next year when the conference was reconvened in Paris in conjunction with the Paris Air Show, awards would be given to companies that have taken the high road of globalization and have partnered with their labour unions. Participants also agreed to hand out an award for companies that had taken the low road on globalization for example General Electric who have been pursuing poor employee relations with unions in the UK.  

Rob Johnston Executive Director of IndustriALL commented, “During the show we have seen the best and worst of the industry. The best are the products and technology made by our members, the worst is the absence of the recognition of labour’s contribution to the industry. By attending and highlighting the labour dimension we have made steps towards addressing this absence. We will continue to raise the profile of the labour dimension until our members get the recognition they deserve.”

As always, participants pledged to build solidarity among one another in the days ahead.  They concluded the conference secure in the knowledge that  with the support of IndustriALL Global Union, and the commitment of each of their unions, the goal of creating a Global Aerospace Union will be achieved. 

ADDITIONAL NEWS

AFFILIATE PRESS RELEASE: Unite calls for global campaign against poor industrial relations at GE

Unite, Britain's biggest union has called for the creation of a global network of trade unions to campaign against poor industrial relations at global aero engine giant GE. 

Unite raised its concerns about problems with GE in the UK over pension changes and union recognition rights at a meeting of IndustriALL, the global union federation for manufacturing industries which met in London this week. 

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