The Right to Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

May 14, 2012

Although recognized in most major brand codes of conduct, the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining is continually threatened. Workers who organize unions face discrimination, dismissal, and even violence. Factories where workers have organized trade unions have been closed, and orders have been shifted to non-union factories. MSN works with local groups and international allies to create a positive climate for freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Some recent examples of this work:

November 14, 2012

Honduras: Star management encourages threats of violence against union supporters

When Canadian T-shirt manufacturer Gildan Activewear purchased Anvil Knitwear in May 2012, workers at Anvil’s unionized Star factory in El Progreso, Honduras were understandably worried about their job security. After all, Gildan was the same company that had closed a wholly-owned factory in El Progreso eight years earlier in order to avoid having to accept and negotiate with a union.

(Read more)

May 3, 2012

Pressure builds on Guatemala to resolve DR-CAFTA labour complaint; Leading US brands weigh in

Leading U.S. apparel brands are urging the Guatemalan government to resolve the long-pending DR-CAFTA labour complaint filed by six Guatemalan unions and the AFL-CIO four years ago.

(Read more)

January 23, 2012

Union leaders reinstated in Haiti

Shortly after a new union was formed last September in Haiti's growing apparel manufacturing sector, six of the seven workers who serve on the union's executive committee were fired or forced to resign by the factories where they worked. But we're pleased to report that thanks to concerted efforts by Haitian and international labour rights groups, all but one of the workers have now been reinstated and are back at work.

(Read more)

September 23, 2010

Support Freedom of Association (FOA) in Mexico

MSN is working with Mexican and international stakeholders to tackle widespread systemic barriers to workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining in Mexico and the failure of Mexican government institutions to protect and enforce this fundamental right at the workplace.