The struggle continues

Over 550 trade unions, development agencies and faith organisations have worked together throughout 2005 to call on the UK government and other G8 leaders to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY. UNISON has been part of the campaign from the start.

We believe that trade unions have a valuable role to play in ending poverty by campaigning for decent jobs and quality public services.

On 2 July 225,000 campaigners marched in Edinburgh ahead of the G8 Summit in Scotland. Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary, and Christine Wilde, UNISON president, were among the 10,000 UNISON activists who turned out in force to express support for trade justice, to drop the debt and for more and better aid.

Dave Prentis addressed the rally, "Trade unions know that decent work must be at the heart of the agenda to cut global poverty. UNISON has fought to defend UK public services against neoliberal economic policies in the UK. We stand alongside our sister trade unions around the world as they struggle against the same policies which are being forced on their countries by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation. We are fighting for decent work for everyone, no matter where they live".

Despite unprecedented public support for MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY, the G8 summit failed to live up to expectations. While the UK Government can be praised for its role in the commitment to get everyone who needs it HIV/AIDS treatment by 2010, campaigners were disappointed by the limited funds for debt relief and aid. No commitment was made to make international trade more just for poorer countries or on climate change - both critical issues for UNISON and trade unions around the world.

At the World Trade Organisation trade talks in Hong Kong in December, world leaders failed to secure trade justice. Public service workers around the world are particularly concerned that plans to liberalise services, which are not good for workers or for development, are back on the agenda. On the positive side, after a year of campaigning together through MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY trade unionists and development campaigners worked together to lobby the UK Government and demonstrate the anti-poverty policies of the WTO.

As a UNISON member there are many ways you can continue to take action on international issues and be part of the global trade union movement campaigning for decent work and quality public services.

Find out more about becoming a UNISON member
http://www.unison.org.uk/join/index.asp

Find out more about UNISON's international work
http://www.unison.org.uk/international/index.asp

Find out more about UNISON's campaign to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY
http://www.unison.org.uk/international/makepovertyhistory.asp

Become a Branch International Officer and support your branch's international work and campaigns
http://www.unison.org.uk/international/intro.asp

Set up a twinning relationship between your branch and a trade union branch in another country.
http://www.unison.org.uk/international/twinning.asp

Participate in the regular international seminars. The next one is in Southampton 24 - 26 March 2006 email:
Irelations@unison.co.uk

Contact UNISON's International Unit for more information email:
Irelations@unison.co.uk