Renewal of trade unions

In many countries throughout Europe, including Malta, trade unions have seen their membership decline during the past 10 years. In addition, their position has weakened as a result of factors including a globalising economy, erosion of workers' rights and increasing labour market flexibility. The successful unions, however, seem to be those who responded to this decline by running assertive organising campaigns at the workplace, engaging in strategic research and strengthening their position at the workplace by ensuring that a union delegate and a Committee is in place. The MUT is one of these unions. No wonder then that the number of workers (teachers) in the MUT now amount to more that 7,000. The Malta Union of Teachers is the strongest sectorial union in Malta.

Those who don't like the unions often try to depict unions as outsiders who are fighting for narrow self-interests. In order to counter this, trade unions frame their objectives as social justice issues. In many countries, unfortunately, unions have to cope with a political climate that is hostile to workers and their organisations. Colombia, the Fiji Islands, the Philippines, China, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Ivory Coast and other countries are a case in point. In Colombia, for example, 33 teachers were murdered in 2006, while many more received death threats and were forced to flee the villages and towns where they were teaching. In Zimbabwe, police selected World Teachers Day, October 5, as the moment to beat up members and trade union leaders. On the other hand, governments of several OECD countries, from Western Europe, some Canadian provinces, a number of US states, Japan, Korea and Australia, have argued that they have to adopt neo-liberal policies to ensure competitiveness in the global economy. Accepting such arguments is to participate in a race to the bottom.

Fred Van Leuven, Education International's general secretary, stated in the opening address at the E.I. World Congress held recently in Berlin that "there is a fine line between trade union action and political activity. While it is inherent in our work that we associate with political parties or groups, that share our aspirations, there is a risk that the responsibilities of union and parties, particularly when represented in government, can become blurred if they are not kept strictly separate. When rank and file members are not certain whether it is the government or the union that is beating their heads, we have a problem".

Thus the urgent need for trade unions to bring themselves in line with the times. Trade unions need to create an important impact on society. Much depends on the choices they make. Do they act only on behalf of a privileged group of workers who are already members, or do they try to involve new groups of workers? Do they prioritise job growth over environmental concerns, or do they advocate sustainable growth? Do they have transparent and democratic decision-making structures, or are decisions made in back rooms? Do they actively involve their membership, or do they treat them as passive consumers?

Now that the future of trade unions is insecure, these questions gain added urgency. All the more so because they are connected to developments such as the globalisation of the economy and the increasingly flexible nature of work. Yes, trade unions in general are facing a crisis. Many governments have become increasingly hostile to unions. Let us not forget the 1980s. Ronald Reagan took on the air traffic controllers and Margaret Thatcher the miners. More importantly, they introduced legislation that weakened the position of unions. Even in Sweden where the trade union movement has a very strong institutional position, it is feared that the government may take measures to undermine union power.

Because of these developments, it has become easier for companies to take a tough stance towards unions. One of the most popular techniques is the one-to-one, during which an individual worker is subjected to cross-examination. According to a recent survey, every 23 minutes a worker is said to be fired or discriminated against for supporting a union. This is illegal, but the sanctions are minimal. Although this is not rampant in Malta, the MUT has received complaints from a very small number of independent schools where everything possible was done to discourage teachers to join the union.

In the 1990-2004 period, union density in EU countries has declined from 33.1 to 26.3 per cent. Sweden is the country with the highest number of unionised workers at almost 78 per cent, followed by Finland at 74 per cent, Denmark at 72 per cent, Cyprus at 70 per cent and Malta at approximately 63 per cent. The countries at the bottom of the list are France at only nine per cent, Spain at 16 per cent, Poland at 14 per cent, and Lithuania at 17 per cent. It is also interesting to note that neighbouring Italy with three very strong confederations, CGIL, CISL and UIL does not exceed the 34 per cent mark.

Teachers' unions, however are the ones that make the difference. Between 2004 and 2007, Educational International's membership grew from 26 to almost 30 million - in 383 organisations in 169 countries. The largest part of that growth was due to the affiliation of members of the World Confederation of Teachers. With a total of 67 million teachers around the globe, E.I. now represent 45 per cent of them. Where would that other 55 per cent, or 37 million be hiding? Fifteen million are in China where trade unions are practically non-existent and another four million are members of organisations not yet affiliated with E.I. But the remaining 18 million are colleagues who have not yet been persuaded to join the union. A very small number of these are Maltese teachers who have not as yet understood the real role and importance of trade unions.

Membership growth is, of course, not a goal in itself. The real test of success is whether unions are able to improve the situation of workers and achieve social justice. Initiatives need to be bottom up in order to have real grassroots support and to reflect the issues that are of concern to the population. However, they also need a strong commitment from the top, in order to overcome resistance to change and to have the level of coordination that is needed to influence government policies. Government and agencies, and indeed trade unions, will be judged not on good intentions but on concrete achievements.

Mr Bencini is president of the Malta Union of Teachers