Turning globalisation on its head

Date: 14 July 2005

One of Australia's biggest unions has created a new global alliance with America's largest union to help turn globalisation on its head - and make it a tool to win higher living standards for low-paid workers.

" The alliance between LHMU and SEIU will involve a concerted effort by our two unions organising low-paid cleaners, security officers and food-service workers in cross-border campaigns," LHMU National Secretary, Jeff Lawrence said.

" Our two unions have formally committed to investing additional resources into making sure that working people in both of our countries have the strength they need to win secure, good-paying jobs in the age of globalisation.

" While the Federal Government in Canberra pushes new laws to hit the rights of working people we will look to new, innovative ways to protect and expand the rights and power of our people in their workplaces," Jeff Lawrence said.

" In the global economy, it is critical that unions work together across borders - and match the reach of our multinational employers."

This week the LHMU- SEIU global alliance was demonstrated in the release of a report warning of potential risks for Australian and US investors in the US real estate giant - Maguire Properties Inc - which is seeking to raise capital in Australia.

In Washington DC the Director of SEIU's Property Services Division, Stephen Lerner, confirmed the importance of this new global alliance for his union's nearly 2 million members.

" The SEIU and LHMU have had a close working relationship for the last five year or six years, working together to protect our members' pension investments and sponsoring an organiser exchange program," the SEIU's Stephen Lerner said from Washington DC.

Jeff Lawrence pointed out that SEIU and LHMU have already worked closely together to protect the rights of Westfield shopping mall cleaners.

" An effective global campaign in 2003 to protect the rights of Westfield Shopping Mall cleaners in Australia and the USA helped to give birth to what we believe will be a dynamic new alliance.

" In 2003 LHMU in Australia, and SEIU in the USA and Canada, worked together to ensure Westfield Shopping Malls in both countries respected contract cleaners' workers rights and provide good jobs," Jeff Lawrence said.

" As companies - like Westfield - move beyond their traditional national borders, the need exists for unions to match that international focus."

For more information:

Jeff Lawrence. LHMU National Secretary - 042 524 2724

Stephen Lerner, SEIU Director of Property Services Division - 0011 1 202-251-6719

Please respect the time differences between Australia and USA

For further information

Contact:	Andrew Casey
Union:	Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union
Phone:	8204 7206
Fax:	92821 4480
Email:	andrewc@lhmu.org.au
WWW:	http://www.lhmu.org.au/

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