Andy Stern announced this morning that the 193 million members of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) are expected to vote to affiliate with SEIU, forming the world's largest force for working families and quality services!Speaking to bloggers, Stern said:
"We are not shy in saying that their members will be better off in SEIU, and we know that when workers join together they have the power to transform their lives. Together with ACFTU I believe that we are poised to blend our strength to achieve a truly global voice, and help our members to have a chance at dignity and the American and/or Chinese dream.
We share common challenges with ACFTU, and they represent an exciting new model for cooperative agreements with our shared employers. We're especially looking towards their success with Walmart. Now is a perfect time to speak with one voice and make history for working families across the world."
Perez hears that Stern first extended a hand to the Chinese union federation in meetings with Chairman Wang Zhaoguo at the Olympic Games last summer. In an SEIU press release today Michelle Ringuette said that the two leaders are expected to hold a founding convention in a Washington DC steakhouse this week, where a vote could be held to affiliate ACFTU with SEIU as soon as Friday.
Perez also hears that a small number of purple shirted organizers have been spotted at factories and shipping facilities near Beijing and Tianjin, and more staff are scheduled to travel this week. A reader told Perez that indefinite assignments in China have been presented as an alternative to layoff to many UUR members (they will receive the prevailing local wage, but no car allowance).
However, when interviewed about the merger, a Beijing based press officer for ACFTU asked an LA Times reporter "Do you mean that man with the scarf?" and then began laughing.
