This workshop will examine practical ways in which U.S. unions are jointly taking on the challenge of organizing workers employed by multinational corporations. Through presentations by the Solidarity Center and three case examples from current affiliate campaigns, participants will gain information on strategies and approaches to building power for workers employed by global corporations, tools and tactics and resources available to carry out campaigns. The case examples to be discussed will highlight innovative partnerships and will include presentations by union leadership and rank-and-file activists involved in the campaigns. Case studies will include the CWA-ver.di partnership to build TU, the union for T-Mobile workers; the USW long-term strategy of building toward a merger with the National Union of Metal and Mine Workers of the Republic of Mexico (SNTMMSRM or Mineros); and the UNITE HERE strategic hotel sector campaign in the Accor hotel chain.
Sarah McKenzie, Trade Union Strengthening Director, AFL-CIO Solidarity Center
• Larry Cohen, President, CWA
• Joshua Coleman, TU-CWA
• Ben Davis, International Affairs Director, USW
• Debbie Anderson, Director of International Affairs Department, UNITE HERE