ATU Action Weekly Update - 12/10/07

TODAY is International Human Rights Day

December 10th is International Human Rights Day - the day commemorating the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.  The declaration states "Everyone has the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests."

Unfortunately, here in the United States this fundamental human right is under attack.

When you look at what employers are permitted to do, and when you look at what the Bush Administration's Labor Board has done to roll back workers' rights, it is clear that workers in America don't have the freedom to protect their own interests.

The freedom to form a union to bargain for a better life is an internationally recognized human right, but workers in America are denied that right each and every day.

In honor of International Human Rights Day, tell your senators to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and protect the fundamental human right to organize.  Click here to TAKE ACTION NOW.

 

Labor Leaders Gather in DC for Historic Global Organizing Summit

With workers rights under attack around the world, some 220 top global union leaders from more than 63 countries kicked off the first-ever global summit on organizing at the National Labor College outside of Washington, D.C. this morning. 

During the two day conference, which coincides with International Human Rights Day, the leaders will map strategies for restoring the balance between working people and the powerful corporations that ignore national boundaries and rules in search of the greatest profit.

On Tuesday, the global leaders, including representatives from the ATU, will take their message to Capitol Hill, where they will testify before members of Congress on the crisis of workers' rights and the need for the Employee Free Choice Act. 

In opening the summit, Fred Van Leeuwen, Chairman of the Council of Globil Unions (CGU), set the theme, stating "as never before, we must link globally.  We are sending a message to corporations everywhere that everyone has a right to join a union."