06 CGU General Secretaries Meeting 11 June 2010 Geneva Minutes of the 4 th Global Unions Communications Task Force 5 March 2010 Ferney-Voltaire, France Present: Jim Baker (Council of Global Unions - CGU); Ernest Sagaga (IFJ); Tom Grinter (ICEM); Ashling Seely (ITGLWF); Geneviève Kalina (BWI); Anita Gardner (IMF); Alex Ivanou (IMF); Harold Tor (EI); Alex Gomes (ITUC); Mathieu Debroux (ITUC); Sarah Finke (ITF); Rachel Cohen (UNI); Teresa Marshall (PSI); Caroline Taleb (PSI); Hazel Ripoll (PSI) and Sonia Sanchez (PSI). I. Opening and welcome Peter Waldorff, newly elected Vice-Chair of the CGU and PSI General Secretary, opened the meeting and welcomed participants to the PSI offices. He congratulated the group on the collaboration which had resulted in the production of the recent Climate Change document produced prior to the COP15 in Copenhagen. He underlined the importance of continued collaborative work in producing a common message in particular in relation to the forthcoming Quality Public Services (QPS) conference which will be bringing many Global Unions together. Teresa Marshall and Anita Gardner co-chaired the meeting in the absence of Aidan White. It was agreed to change the order of the agenda slightly to ensure the presence of all participants in the discussion on the QPS conference. II. III. Report on CGU meeting A written report of the last meeting of the CGU was provided to the task force as well as the three-year review paper. Jim Baker added to the report on the issue of Occupational Health and Safety where some GUFs felt that not enough was being done at the global level. He also highlighted migration as a common communications challenge, in particular for the forthcoming GFMD in Mexico. In both cases, small working groups had been created. 4 th Annual Geneva Labour Film Festival Anita Gardner (IMF) reported on the work done so far in preparation for the Labour Film Festival. The date has been booked for 15 th June in parallel with the International Labour Conference (ILC). The Festival will focus on two issues: the global financial crisis and workers responses, and climate change. The deadline for submitting material is end of March. A designer has been commissioned to draft ideas of artwork for the Festival, the idea being to reach a wider audience than usual. The issue of languages was raised, in particular in relation to including local affiliates who are essentially French-speaking. The majority of films shown are in English and sometimes Spanish. A programme will be produced in English and French with short summaries of films. It was suggested that the films be subtitled; however this has important cost and time implications. The idea should be revisited in future years, and with a better idea of costs some GUFs might be able to help out. The Labourstart Film Festival winner will also be shown at the Geneva festival. The following was agreed: UNI will do the printing (poster, programme) BWI will do the website All GUFs will assist with researching material (request to affiliates) Screening of films to make a selection: a method will need to be determined. It was suggested that some humorous films could be included to break-up the back to back labour messages.
06 Promoting the film festival all Global Unions in particular by promoting to affiliates and to ILC participants. The idea of paid advertisements was also raised although this does have a cost implication which would not be covered by the IMF budget. IV. Publications, climate change (Copenhagen) lessons to be learned So far only two joint publications have been produced, the crisis publication and the Climate Change publication. A discussion ensued on the role and effectiveness of these publications and forthcoming ones. The following points and questions were raised: Who is our audience and what impact do we want to achieve? Publications are most useful when associated with clear messages around campaigns. Broader audiences can be reached on campaigns rather than publications. Campaigns allow us to work towards a common goal e.g. the precarious work campaign. It is important to engage the national leaders so that they in turn engage their own members. It is also important to target the general public to obtain support when lobbying governments and institutions. The climate change paper reinforced the other work done by GUFs in the conference it was also put together in response to a crisis. The sectoral perspective should always be emphasised. Joint publications are more of an internal political exercise in recognising the differences between sectors and bringing them together. This does not, however, solve the problem of visibility. It was underlined that the trade union message needed to be more visible not necessarily Global Unions. Individual GUF identities need to be maintained. Working together can help increase individual strength in sectors, while showing coherence and collaboration across our federations. It was generally felt that communications needed to be included as a consideration in all policy discussions, from the beginning, to ensure that the message is correctly understood and reproduced. It was also agreed that there was a need to ensure that communications and campaigns are more closely linked. Each GUF needs its own communications strategy; a Global Unions strategy cannot substitute for that. V. Other business The campaigns currently being run by each GUF were reviewed: IMF A new Campaigns department has been created headed by Kristyne Peter. The current campaigns are: Turkey TEKEL workers Korea trade union rights violations and reform of labour laws (penal code 314) Mexico Los Mineros: Industrial disputes and government attempts to stop union functioning Joint IMF/ICEM campaign for nickel workers (Canada/Brazil Vale company) Russia the rise of violence, joint IUF/ITUC/IMF complaint to the ILO) Philippines to be determined Asbestos Precarious work - to be determined ITF Company-based initiatives (human and trade union rights dispute in Mombaï MASK) Joint work with UNI on DHL trade union rights Pack Less campaign aimed at aeroplane travellers Year of the Seafarer campaign Turkey not a campaign but work on trade union rights Mexico joint work with ICEM offshore industry on occupational health and trade union rights issues
06 ITUC WDDW Decision on campaign to be taken at next World Congress in June Nuclear weapon petition all GUFs are asked to place a link on their websites. Sport events and athletes Young workers campaign to be launched on 18/03 will include a video, blog and brochure EI Global Action week for Education for All (2 nd week April) [as part of EI's commitment in the Global Campaign for Education coalition to lobby for Education For All by 2015] World Teachers Day (5 th October links to WDDW) [on-going long-term global campaign of EI for the implementation of the 1966 and 1997 ILO/UNESCO Recommendations on the Status of Teachers and Higher Education Personnel] Report to the Joint ILO/UNESCO Committee of Experts on the Application of the Recommendations concerning Teaching Personnel (CEART) (every 3 yrs) [EI submits a report on the status of the global implementation of the 2 documents mentioned above to the UN committee which meets every 3 years to evaluate the implementation.] World Conference for Women (19-22 May 2010) [Global conference for women by EI which will link up all its women's networks around the world for the first time.] National campaigns on human and trade union rights (Iran, Ethiopia, Turkey) BWI Main focus on two campaigns Decent work in sports events linked to the world cup, commonwealth games, Euro cup 2012 + FIFA 2014 Migration On-going campaigns: Occupational health and safety Asbestos Blacklisting campaign (UK initiative) Solidarity Campaigns: Zimbabwe Korea Columbia IFJ Iran: securing the release of journalists Philippines: following the Maguindanao massacre World Press Day to focus on this issue Impunity in Latin America Impunity in Russia (launch of on-line database) with information on killings of journalists as well as investigations/prosecutions undertaken by the authorities) Raising the profile of women in media focusing on Arab and Middle Eastern countries World Congress Congress in Cadiz, Spain ( 25 th -28 th May 2010): promoting the future of journalism China: monitoring of human & trade union rights situation - report recently published. ICEM Ratification campaign of ILO Convention 176 (Safety and Health in Mines) Joint IMF/ICEM campaign for nickel workers (Canada/Brazil Vale company) Trade union rights: Mexico Colombia The ICEM Contract and Agency Labour Campaign: allows trade unions world-wide to share CAL tools and experiences. The difference between the living conditions of union workers with permanent jobs and contract workers could be measured in centuries. Mining in Peru related to Precarious work ITGWLF Bargaining for a living wage campaign Launched on WDDW. National affiliates are encouraged to agree on what is a living wage and engage in collective bargaining to obtain living wage. Play Fair joint ITUC/NGOs/ITGWLF campaign launched early March and targeting the London Olympics Bangladesh Pressure authorities to implement occupational health and safety measures Turkey Campaign for sandblasting workers: obtain a ban on sandblasting + medical coverage for workers
06 On-going human and trade union rights campaigns. PSI Quality Public Services IWD Campaign obtaining release of Seher Tümer in Turkey Zimbabwe solidarity appeal Swaziland human and trade union rights Asian Development Bank Water campaign in collaboration with EPSU (public-public partnerships) Migrant workers Other specific campaigns and days of action: International Women s day 2010 A UNI event being held in Geneva (Plaine de Plainpalais) The ITUC will be releasing its 3 rd report on Pay Equity IFJ Survey in middle-east on gender gap in media leadership EI Pay Equity now campaign PSI Seher Tümer campaign and UNCSW BWI - Voices of Women from BWI sectors, World Day for Safety and Health at Work 28 April 2010 BWI Joint action with Geneva based GUFs and affiliates. Visit of a construction site in Geneva. Plans to involve the ILO and invite ILO Director General Juan Somavia. Report to be launched on that day Jim Baker pointed out that Canada will be hosting the next G20 summit and is also the first producer of asbestos. He also indicated that a danger was raised at the OHS meeting that there could be conflicting priorities with the promotion of the HIV/AIDS campaign. It was suggested contacting Svend Robinson who now works at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. International Labour Organisation There is a need for more Global Unions visibility at the ILO. Manfred Warda (ICEM) will be addressing the Worker s Group of the Governing Body in March on Precarious Work. The ITUC will be launching its annual survey on trade union rights on 9th June to coincide with the International Labour Conference (ILC). Labourstart Conference 9-11 July BWI, ITUC and IMF will be sending participants to the conference. Education and Training Programme on Communication Skills and Strategies for Unions Jim Baker informed the meeting that all the General Secretaries had made a commitment at the last CGU to promote training on communications strategies at the regional level. Some funding will be required. The possibility of working together and using an intern had been raised. IMF hopes to have an intern do some research in this area. The ITF has a similar project planned for the African region. EI has produced a communications manual specifically on HIV/AIDS communications and a small group will be following up. The IFJ was asked to organise a follow up meeting of a small group which had not yet taken place. A GUF Communication Task Force for this project was established, including: Anita Gardner, Sarah Finke, Ernest Sagaga, and Teresa Marshall. Follow-up on Global Unions Website The structure will be reviewed to display material in a more user-friendly way. PR Newswire Teresa Marshall, PSI, submitted a proposal to establish a joint subscription to a newswire system through the Council of Global Unions. This would substantially reduce individual GUF costs, and every organisation interested in joining in would pay an equal share. On-line demonstrations are available. The GUFs not represented at the meeting will also need to be contacted (IUF). It was hoped that enough GUFs would be able to indicate interest by the end of spring to set up the subscription.
06 VI. Middle East and North Africa (MENA) observatory initiative and website Jim Baker explained that the MENA observatory project had arisen due to the serious trade union rights issues in the sub-region, including in countries with ITUC affiliates. The on-line observatory would allow national unions to contribute to the site, but also facilitate contacts by individuals and groups of workers. National centres would be able to verify the information but not block it. The initiative is being developed by ITUC, IFJ, EI and ITF, but is open to other GUFs who may be interested. In 2007, EI held a workshop on how unions living under oppressive regimes can communicate to the outside world. Certain websites or areas of websites cannot be accessed from certain countries, e.g. the Tunisia trade union rights report on the ITUC website cannot be accessed from Tunisia although the rest of the website is accessible. A description of the project will be sent to the mailing list. VII. Common May Day message A brainstorming session was held and it was agreed that we should focus on a call to action or strong response to the economic crisis that is battering our members. This could include reference to job security, or improved public funding. Here are the starting points: Economic recovery for all workers No recovery without trade union rights Trade union rights are human rights Standing up for sustainable (green) jobs Sustainable jobs, sustainable world Quality public services for all VIII. Quality Public Services Conference Rolv Hanssen presented the work that had been done so far on the preparations for the Conference. A brainstorming session then took place. The focus was on identifying some messages that both public and private sector global union federations and affiliates could use in promoting the conference, and developing external messages on quality public services. The new CGU QPS Conference Communications working group will then develop the next levels of communication strategy for outreach, publications, and timelines. QPS Conference internal goals (what do we want members to do or accomplish as an organisation?) We need an attitude change Need to have a coherent notion of the importance and role of QPS Mutual recognition between public and private sector of the importance of QPS Find ways to make specific wins by service or country Link affiliates across the globe on actions Build solidarity from inside to outside Cross-sector, cross-occupational Need action at the international and national levels Need to build a coherent internal message and follow-up Unity of action multiple organisations committed to work in the same direction on same goals QPS Conference External goals Educating people Putting back real power into regulation Change people s view of public services for the better Visibility Value of trade unionism (link between QPS and trade unions: fairness, justice) Commitment from different stakeholders to continuing a range of actions toward s achieving QPS
06 Lobbying/mobilizing to change legislation Identifying specific sectoral targets Bring the IFIs back to to their original mission and have a fair voting system: one country = one vote Peace, reducing poverty, no pollution Drive changes from the local to the international level Get people to think paying taxes is cool External communications ways to interest/involve/broaden connections outside labour movement Ask people to take some form of action: join union, demand services; make a list of endangered public services (privatization) going from slightly, endangered to extinct. Sustainable future depends on QPS today Targeted message to each category: general public, corporate world, small enterprises, nonunionised public-sector workers, group mailing lists Contest to be a public service worker for a day (e.g. Firefighter) Look to mobilise people who have an interest in the issue Website/video with stories of public sector workers and/or public sector users Internal communications ways to get our members interested/involved Train them in lobbying Imagine a day without public services Ask members to share their stories through video, photos etc... Ask them to share the campaign with their family and community Away day devoted to the subject Exchange between affiliates Photo competition Exhibitions/posters Emphasise high-profile speakers Make members feel involved relate the agenda to their daily life/own sector Briefings, circulars, newsletters, intranet/internet, surveys, videos, training, blog Projects on the ground Quality Public Services (messages to media/general public) Access to affordable education, healthcare, social safety net Safeguarding public resources Stability in the society Solidarity Reliable services Public service values = society s values Services for the few, quality public services for all More stable and prosperous society Helping/taking care of those in need which any one of us could be QPS = sustainable services (environment, social etc...) Accountable use of public health Decent workplaces Good investment of tax revenue Investing for public and social wealth Redistribution of wealth Quality of life Opportunity and access not leaving anyone behind Creating an inclusive society Quality Public Services messages public sector members Accountability and transparency - delivers and regulates democratic process Job security & career development Essential services health, water, utilities Good conditions of work/decent work Good reputation in the community trust
06 Accountable to community Contributing to democratic society rewarding Job satisfaction making a difference taking pride in what you do Quality of life for citizens Working towards the future; providing a better life for future generations Helps the balance of power affects private cartel, privileges, exclusive access Sustainable society reinforces adds space for civil society function Working towards the future, providing a better life for future generations Pluralism Return on tax get what you are paying for Stronger public services/stronger for public sector workers Quality Public Services messages for private sector members Affordable public transport services Infrastructure for development and jobs Affordable quality of life Economic value life <-> public services Public services force/actors in cleaning up environment Affordable healthcare and access to new technologies Public radio and TV Access to justice Reliable electricity Well-maintained public highways Only public services can offset injustice Being an actor in society rather than only a victim Public education important to families : free access, equal access Clean, free water Having a say in public services as an actor, not just a user Universal access to public services whatever your income QPS Conference website features Specific contact information: e-mail, phone no, address Public services contribution to sustainable development and employment Corporate use of public services calculating benefits Regular updates Easy to use Languages! Guest speakers: service providers citizens describing a benefit from service Resource pages material downloads Strategy: way forward? Action plan, charter Space for discussion Interactive area for discussion Stories from people/sectors Online registration Conference publication ideas Shelf-life beyond conference Charter background pieces Action plan QPS impact on jobs in public services Publications for each target group: participants, general public, academics/researchers ITUC annual survey of violation of TUR PSI women and water campaign ITGLWF call on Bangladesh government to improve safety inspections IFJ report on future of journalism PSIRU updated taxation study. It was agreed that:
06 PSI would take the lead for a QPS Logo. PSI would take the lead on the website if the conference budget can cover the costs of an external site developer. A QPS Conference communications working group was created, including: Teresa Marshall (PSI), Sarah Finke (ITF), Rachel Cohen (UNI), Aidan White or someone representing (IFJ), EI new communications staff TBA.