16 March, 2015Participants from IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in North America, Spain, Finland and Germany met in Brussels on 8 and 9 June to advance IndustriALL’s John Deere trade union network.
Participants agreed on concrete steps to improve collaboration and strengthen the network at the American based and globally acting manufacturer of agricultural, construction and forestry machinery.
The representatives discussed the different trade union and works councils’ representation systems at the company, as well as the various systems of apprenticeship and vocational training. This helps to understand why some things work perfectly in the one country and not in another.
Participants adopted a joint working platform, called the IndustriALL John Deere Network Guidelines and Principles, which define the objectives of the network as:
- deepening the exchange of information between countries;
- working together to promote workers’ rights at John Deere as well as its dealers and distributors, suppliers and sub-contractors throughout the world;
- developing joint initiatives in support of collective bargaining and union building (organizing).
The network is led by UAW, represented by UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell and IG Metall’s Torsten Jann, together with IndustriALL’s director of mechanical engineering and materials industries Matthias Hartwich.
“Though still small, the network participants understand the need to act globally. The discussions were not only fruitful but held in good spirits and in solidarity. And – which makes me even happier – the new guidelines are absolutely in line with IndustriALL’s strategic goals. So, I am looking forward to being a part of this network and seeing it grow,” said Hartwich.
Tasks will be distributed among the network with different working areas being hosted by different participants. Unfortunately, representatives from Brazil and India were unable to attend the meeting, but will be on board in the future.
UAW representative Joe Morel who visited the network, said:
“I am pleased to see the quick progress you have made in your network. I have seen other networks who have struggled for a very long time to achieve the common understanding you have reached in a very short period.”
Tim Bressler, who chaired the meeting on behalf of UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell, said he was happy with the results achieved over the two days in Brussels and looked forward to working with the network in the months to come.