New Global Union IndustriALL a Triumph for Solidarity, 50 million Workers, says Steelworkers

COPENHAGEN, June 18, 2012 /CNW/ - "IndustriALL is a triumph for solidarity. This new global union will be a force for good for working people all over the world," said Ken Neumann, United Steelworkers (USW) National Director, on the formation of the new global union IndustriALL. 

More than 1,200 unionists from every corner of the globe are meeting in Copenhagen June 18-20, 2012, to form IndustriALL Global Union, representing 50 million workers in 140 countries in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors.

"With the force of its 50 million members, IndustriALL has the strength and the reach to take on the power of multinational companies like Rio Tinto and Vale," said Neumann. "IndustriALL hopes to negotiate on a global level with the global giants."

"We know that global solidarity works," said Neumann. "Workers win when we stand together against injustice in a global way. IndustriALL will leverage workers' links around the world and make us even stronger and united," said Neumann.

"Among the delegates are heroes who have been on the frontline of the fight for democracy and workers' rights," said Jyrki Raina, the incoming general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union. 

"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," said Raina.

"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," added Raina.

IndustriALL will be founded in Copenhagen on 19 June 2012. The new organization will bring together affiliates of the former global union federations: International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF), Internatioanal Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) and International Textiles Garment and Leather Workers' Federation (ITGLWF).

The USW is an affiliate of both the IMF and the ICEM. 

Ken Neumann, United Steelworkers National Director, 416-544-5951
Bob Gallagher, United Steelworkers [email protected] 416-434-2221