The AMWU recently took part in the 9th Southern Initiative Global Trade Union Rights (SIGTUR) Congress in São Paulo, Brazil.
 
SIGTUR is a solidarity network of progressive trade unions in the global south, aimed at building an effective global solidarity movement. The SIGTUR network provides national, regional and global resistance to the monopolisation of the world’s resources and economies by multinational corporations.
 
The SIGTUR Congress, held in April, focused on sharing communication, education and organisation tools to assist developing union movements in the global south. In particular, web-based platforms such as Twitter, UnionBook and Skype! were discussed as valuable tools for strengthening global solidarity networks.
 
As a result of the Congress, union activists from 25 countries have engaged with these tools to build more effective organising networks across the global south.
 
The Congress also expressed support and solidarity with striking workers in India, Canada and Mexico.
 
Glenn Thompson, AMWU National Assistant Secretary, was one of 110 delegates who gathered at the SIGTUR Congress to discuss progressive responses to the economic and ecological crises caused by the failure of global financial systems and corporate exploitation of workers and the environment, particularly in the global south.
 
Glenn said of the network:
 
“As a result of globalisation, workers’ networks such as SIGTUR are important to organise global corporations and assist workers in developing countries to build strong worker independent organisations.
 
“In a world where every economic sector is dominated by only ten corporations, of which three control 40% of the total, it is crucial that we have strong global union solidarity networks in order to redress the industrial and environmental injustices wrought by unscrupulous multinational corporations. SIGTUR works towards achieving global economic justice through representing and supporting democratic trade unions in their struggles at national, regional and global levels.”
 
AMWU members are encouraged to get involved with the SIGTUR network by following their Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/SIGTUR and registering at www.UnionBook.org.  UnionBook is a progressive social networking site which aims to promote and develop union solidarity networks. More information on SIGTUR can also be found at www.sigtur.com.