AFL-CIO to Host Historic Conference of Global Labor Leaders to Address International Crisis in Workers* Freedom to Form Unions

Unprecedented Meeting, Congressional Forum Aim to Strengthen Worldwide Solidarity

(Washington, November 29)    More than 200 trade union leaders from the United States and around the world will meet in the Washington, DC area on Dec. 10 and 11 as part of a historic conference and congressional forum on the international crisis in workers' rights and the freedom to form unions and bargain collectively.

     The two-day conference, "Going Global: Organizing, Recognition and Union Rights" sponsored by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and hosted by the AFL-CIO marks the first time in history trade union leaders from around the globe have gathered to develop ideas and strategies to combat corporations' and governments' efforts to suppress workers freedom to join unions, enhance cooperation among trade unions across borders, and better represent workers in a global economy.

     "Workers here in the United States and all around the world are in crisis," AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said.  "Every day, their freedoms are infringed upon and their rights are trampled.  With this conference, the world's labor movement is coming together with a unified voice to say we will stand together to combat this troubling trend and build a global movement that's capable of restoring the rights of workers worldwide."

     The conference will include a special forum at the U.S. Congress on December 11, "Restoring Workers' Rights to Organize: Global Perspectives, Global Action."  The forum will be chaired and moderated by congressional leaders, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senator Edward Kennedy and Representative George Miller.  Trade union leaders from around the world will discuss why respect for freedom of association and collective bargaining in their own countries is crucial to the survival of human rights and democracy.  The global labor leaders will also urge the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act in the United States because it is vital to their own effort to achieve full organizing and bargaining rights in their own countries and with multinational companies.

     Following the conference, the ITUC, in conjunction with the global union federations, will launch a series of measures to strengthen cooperation among trade unions, enhance strategic research and mobilization capabilities to meet the challenges and needs of working men and woman across the globe. As part of the conference, global labor leaders will develop specific strategies to support a worldwide campaign to pass pro-worker labor law reform, which includes passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.  Leaders will also develop new techniques in support of organizing efforts across borders, to protect workers' rights in an increasingly global economy as more companies become multinational.

  
     "Despite the challenges we face, the strength and ingenuity of a truly international workers' movement cannot be matched by any government or corporate entity," Sweeney said.  "This conference is the opening salvo by workers around the world who are committed to restoring workers' rights in the global economy, with freedom and democracy as our guiding principles."