New global union formed
IndustriALL was founded in Copenhagen today. The new organization will bring together affiliates of former global union federations, for example International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), which included workers in the pulp and paper industry.“In Copenhagen we will form a new union family of heroes, with strong bonds, ready to stick together through thick and thin – a new force in global solidarity, taking up the fight for better working conditions and trade union rights around the world,” Jyrki Raina, the in-coming general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union, said today.“Among the delegates are heroes, who have been on the front-line of the fight for democracy and workers’ rights,” Jyrki Raina continued. “Bashed, imprisoned and their lives threatened they come to Copenhagen to adopt a new action plan to ensure globalization delivers for the 99 percent, not just the one percent.”“IndustriALL will fight for a new model of globalization, a new economic and social model that puts people first, based on democracy and social justice,” Jyrki Raina stated. “IndustriALL will challenge the power of multinational companies. We hope to negotiate on a global level with the global giants.”IndustriALL Global Union will represent workers in a wide range of sectors, the pulp and paper industry included.