- Conference
- 2009 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 12 September 2008
- Decision
- Carried
We as Black members in the largest public sector union in Europe are fortunate that we enjoy access to representation, legal and other forms of aid as a result of our subscriptions. Some of our fellow trade unionists around the world are not so fortunate.
The Israeli national trade union centre Histadrut and the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), both of which are affiliated to the International Trades Union Congress (ITUC), have reached a landmark agreement to protect the rights of Palestinian workers employed by Israeli employers, and to base future relations on negotiations, dialogue and joint initiatives to advance “fraternity and coexistence between the two peoples.” The current agreement draws on the terms of an initial 1995 agreement, which it had not been possible to fully implement in the intervening years.
The key features of the agreement include the reimbursement by Histadrut to the PGFTU of the outstanding balance of union and legal representation fees paid since 1993 by Palestinians working for Israeli employers. The reimbursement is based on a detailed year-by-year analysis of the fees paid by Palestinian workers, taking into account funds previously transferred to the PGFTU. The PGFTU will have sole discretion as to how the funds will be spent, in line with its Constitution.
In the future, at least 50% of the representation fees paid by Palestinians working for Israeli employers will be transferred to the PGFTU, to enable both organisations to provide representation, legal and other trade union services to the workers.
Implementation of the agreement, which was negotiated under the umbrella of the ITUC, will be overseen by a joint committee of the two organisations.
Conference urges the National Black Members’ Committee to work with the relevant National Executive Council structures to ensure that proactive efforts are employed to continue UNISON’s support in achieving a fair and equitable outcome for all working people in both countries.