Word: union
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...political leaders from across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa to a summit to debate his ambitious agenda for bolstering trade in the region, protecting the environment and cracking down on terrorism and the trafficking of contraband goods, drugs and illegal immigrants. His much touted plan for a union for the Mediterranean looks stillborn. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has worried that it could undermine the European Union; Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has deemed it a colonialist affront to Maghrebi pride. Yet at its core, Sarkozy's plan has an insight that is as simple to state...
...what can it do now that it's joining up even more international workers. The power to negotiate individual bargaining contracts will remain with USW and Unite, mainly because of differing national and internal laws and regulations. But Gerard says there's a host of issues common to both unions that will keep the collective leadership busy. In sectors including steel, paper and oil, for example, both unions deal with some of the same companies. The merged union will be better able to ensure that a company can't reject defined benefits in one country that it's already agreed...
...some respects, the USW and Unite are marching to echoes of drumbeats past. Trade unionism has from its earliest days considered itself a global movement, albeit one organized at national levels. Certainly, a number of unions - including the Steelworkers - have formed alliances with foreign counterparts. And there are already several world-spanning labor bodies, including the International Trade Union Confederation and the International Metalworkers' Federation. For that reason, Richard Hyman, a professor of industrial relations at the London School of Economics, is skeptical the merger will work or is necessary. While unions need to better coordinate efforts on a global...
...While Workers Uniting's transatlantic architecture is unique, it's not truly a global entity, at least not yet. But Gerard says it's already heard from unions in Eastern Europe, Latin America and Australia interested in joining forces. "We're drafting the constitution to keep that issue open," he says. Still, even if the logic of a global union is unassailable, bigger isn't always better. Just check out the history of big business, where even the friendliest and most compelling of mergers often end in tears. Workers of the world, unite, indeed. But don't expect a revolution...
...France officially took over the six-month presidency of the European Union from Slovenia on Tuesday, and the irrepressible Sarkozy has promised an action-packed program covering issues from immigration and global warming to farm reform and defense. No doubt he also hopes his moment in the E.U. spotlight will put France back in its self-assumed position as Europe's creative motor and political soul...