Trade union links between Ireland and the US have been highlighted at the triennial conference of the Financial Services Union (FSU) which was held in Belfast today.
The keynote speaker at the conference was Kelly M Fay Rodríguez, US Special Representative for International Labour Affairs, who spoke about collective bargaining and the role of trade unions.
“Our government officials and labour union leaders have a history of working together in partnership to improve the lives of our citizens and well-being of our communities,” Ms Rodríguez said.
“Our presidents value the role of unions in building workplaces and societies that are tolerant and respectful to all. I found echoes of the Biden presidency principles in listening to President Michael D Higgins shared remarks,” she added.
“The US government knows that domestic industrial policy and foreign economic engagement must include an assessment of whether workers benefit,” she told delegates.
John O’Connell, General Secretary of the FSU, welcomed the remarks.
“This is a strong and timely intervention by the Biden administration letting multinational companies know that the US government is supportive of unions and business sitting down together, recognising their common interests, and working with a common goal of improving workers’ rights,” Mr O’Connell said.
Pay increases, the rise of artificial intelligence and staff surveillance were among the topics discussed at the two-day FSU conference.
Delegates voted on 26 motions covering issues such the four-day week, branch closures and collective bargaining.