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Celebration – Construction NISC in solidarity BWI celebrates 20 years
Unite members have sent a message of solidarity to the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), who this year has been celebrating its 20th-anniversary, marking two decades of unwavering dedication to workers’ rights and global solidarity, writes Keith Hatch.
The BWI was founded on December 9, 2005 and has evolved into a global workers’ voice and united force, championing innovative trade unionism across continents.
During the past two decades Unite has been a strong supporter of the campaigns and work of the BWI. At the union’s Construction NISC meeting in London in October delegates sent a message of solidarity and continued support.
Unite delegates to the BWI gave an update about the recent conference in Geneva and highlighted ongoing campaigns around extreme heat at work, sustainable skills and a groundbreaking Collaboration Agreement between the BWI and FIFA.
The agreement establishes a structured process for joint labour inspections, worker training, and corrective action across all FIFA tournaments. More information about how the new framework will help ensure that labour rights for construction workers building the sport infrastructure is in this Spring edition of the buildingWorker.
BWI delegate Tracey Whittle said, “My involvement with the BWI started when I was elected as Unite’s female delegate to BWI’s 5th World Congress in Madrid four years ago.”
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Since then she has attended many conferences and meetings to contribute to the international work of the union.
Tracey was part of the delegation that attended the BWI’s 3rd Global Multinational Companies (MNC) Conference at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Headquarters in Geneva, which highlighted the important role that it plays in improving conditions for building workers across the world.
Unite delegates had the opportunity to take part in sessions covering a variety of issues including forced labour, recruitment and trafficking; MNCs, climate change and heat stress; and Certification schemes and living wages.
Tracey explained, “As part of the meeting in Geneva I had the chance to witness the signing of an historical agreement between the BWI and FIFA, which gives unions and the BWI access to stadium construction projects to conduct health and safety inspections.
“The BWI’s work has helped raise minimum standards, and elevated health and safety as a fundamental right. For me this means the global labour movement is pushing for better protections, safety standards and union voice – which ultimately strengthens the environment in which all construction workers operate.”
Unite sends its best wishes to the BWI for all its work over the past two decades, and to the future.
As Tracey summed up, “Here’s to the next 20 plus years of the fight for construction workers across the world.”
Mark Thomas
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