Simon DubbinsWorkers Uniting – the international trade union structure formed by the North American Steelworkers (USW) and UNITE in 2008, held its first Congress in London for a day and a half on 11-12 November under the theme ‘Fighting Back Globally!’ A hundred delegates from both unions (plus guests from Mexico, Colombia and Bangladesh, and General Secretaries of Global Union Federations ICEM and the IMF) discussed and agreed a radical work programme for the next three years covering politics, organising, member to member solidarity, equalities and global solidarity.
Taking place against the background of the massive global assault on workers’ rights and social provisions, it was a hugely inspiring event for those who attended. But it is important that others understand what exactly this new international trade union structure is, and what its importance is for the wider labour movement.
