Global Solidarity for Reynolds Workers
April 27, 2006
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A Union For Everyone
The current organizing campaign at Reynolds American has implications beyond Winston-Salem. Reynolds is controlled by British American Tobacco (BAT), one of the largest tobacco companies in the world. BAT is very familiar with unions. The Company has worked with them throughout the world, as almost all of their tobacco plants are Unionized.
We came to the conclusion that BAT had to become aware of the unlawful anti-union campaign being waged against the workers at Reynolds. Thus, through our affiliation with the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations (IUF), we began to enlist international support for Reynolds workers legal right to form a union. In addition, through the IUF, we have begun to insist that BAT executives take responsibility for their affiliate and make certain that Susan Ivey, Ann Johnson and other executives refrain from conducting an unlawful anti-union campaign of coercion, intimidation, and threats of plant closure.
Letter to IUF Affiliates
Read the letter sent to IUF affiliated unions that represent BAT workers-from IUF General Secretary Ron Oswald here.
Letters of Support
Read letters of support for Reynolds workers from BAT unions around the world
UTA Relationship with the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations (IUF)
The IUF is an international federation of trade unions representing workers in:
· agriculture and plantations
· the processing and manufacture of food and beverages
· hotels, restaurants, tourism and catering services
· all stages of tobacco processing
From its founding in 1920, international labour solidarity has been the IUF’s guiding principle. This principle is implemented through:
· building solidarity at every stage of the food chain
· global action to defend human, democratic and trade union rights
· international union organizing within transnational companies (TNCs).
The BCTGM has been an affiliate of the IUF for nearly half a century, and current BCTGM International President Frank Hurt was the IUF President from 1997 to 2002.
