Sep 21, 2007

Global unions rally to force workers' rights deal from RR Donnelley


Unite has banded with other trade unions around the world to push multinational print powerhouse RR Donnelley to sign a global agreement on workers' rights.

National officer for the union, Steve Sibbald, met with delegates from unions such as Teamsters, which represents 1m members in North America, Conatig of Brazil, Filpac-CG of France, and Cep of Canada, earlier this month to push for action from Donnelley.

Trade unions have recognition from the company in the UK and Europe and Latin America, but global union UNI wants an agreement to cover North America, China and India on issues such as child labour, discrimination on the job and forced labour.

The union first raised its request in April and claimed that Donnelley has not responded at all since then.

"It is unthinkable that a company such as Donnelley should go against fundamental ILO standards regarding child labour, discrimination on the job, or forced labour," said Sibbald.

"Nevertheless, the lack of dialogue with a trade union of the importance of the Teamsters or the lack of response to the request for a meeting sent by UNI concerns us deeply, and we are sure that it must also concern most part of its shareholders."

UNI, which has 15m members around the world, has signed global agreements with other multinational companies in the sector, including Dutch Uradius, South African Nampak and Canadian Quebecor.

Duncan Brown, president of the UNI graphical working group on multinationals, said: "Global agreements are a key instrument for the companies as well as the unions to oversee the implementation of responsible corporate policies."

Donnelley was unavailable for comment.
Source: printweek

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