FEATURE International Building to win Unite heads to Helsinki for European talks


A Unite Construction delegation joined partner unions from across Europe in


Helsinki for the 14th Congress of the European Federation of Building and Wood Workers (EFBWW).


The three-day event ran from December 12 to 14 and is the federation’s most important decision body, setting out ways to safeguard and improve the rights of workers in the construction, building materials, forest, and wood-working industries over the coming years.


The Congress theme was Build together, fight together, win together.


and the Unite delegates, Tony Seaman and Stuart Grice (EC members), Tracey Whittle (South


West), Clare Baker (International), Rob Miguel (H&S), Rebecca Black (Scotland) joined 300 participants representing the voices of 77 trade unions and 36 countries.


The main functions of the Congress are to review activities since the last gathering, elect new leadership and set out new priorities for the future.


Delegates celebrated a major EFBWW


victory regarding better protection of construction workers against asbestos including a reduction in the occupational exposure limit, better training and a ban of the encapsulation of asbestos.


Other priorities for the last period included the federation’s work to end exploitation in subcontracting chains, focusing on skills, successful organising workshops and seminars and ensuring health is put before profit in relation to Covid-19.


The federation used Congress to launch a new manual for gender equality in construction, wood and forestry, “which includes existing good practices and policies addressing women’s needs, making it a practical tool for negotiators during collective agreement negotiations.”


Delegates in Helsinki also adopted a new Strategic Plan, built around the need for social progress and a just transition, that will define priority areas for 2024-2028.


Unite Delegate Tracey Whittle said, “It was amazing and a fantastic


opportunity to meet fellow trade union members from across Europe and share experiences.


“It was a good eye opener to see how different some countries are, but also how similar things can be for working people. We are all the same but go about things in different ways and can all learn from each other at events like this.


“In particular I found it really useful to talk to union delegates socially after the presentations were over, and felt I learnt as much from sharing stories as from the Hall.”


The Congress re-elected Johan Lindholm from Chairman of the board


of directors of the Swedish Building Workers’ Union Byggnads as EFBWW


president. Johan said “We stand united and when we stand united nothing can stop us.


“We have a clear voice both at European and national level. We stand united to fight against exploitation of our members. We need to make the voices of our members heard: only then, will they feel safe”.


Unite Construction EFBWW Delegation, Finland: Tony Seaman (EC Member), Tracey Whittle (South West Region), Clare Baker (International Dept), Rob Miguel (Nat H&S Officer), Rebecca Black (Scotland Region) and Stuart Grice (EC Member).


n By Keith Hatch


25 Unite buildingWORKER Spring 2024


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