As we celebrate Labor Day in the U.S., workers around the world continue to experience violations of the right to organize in their workplaces. As part of the International Labor Rights Forum’s Freedom at Work campaign, ILRF released a NEW toolkit today about the freedom of association globally. Check out the toolkit for more information about this crucial human right and how YOU can take action!

You can start right now by sending an urgent action e-mail to the companies named in the report for violating workers’ rights!

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Bridgestone Firestone
Coca Cola
Dole
Kohl’s
Nestle
Unilever
Walmart

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Respect Workers’ Freedom of Association!

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

As a consumer, I am concerned about the rights of workers who produce the goods that I buy. I strongly support the rights of workers to organize democratic and independent trade unions around the world. Unions are an important way for workers to have a voice on the job and improve the working and living conditions for themselves and their families. More than ever, unions have a critical role to play in protecting working families from the impacts of the global economic crisis.

I have recently learned from the International Labor Rights Forum that workers in your global supply chain have seen their right to organize violated. How do you ensure that the freedom of association of the workers who make your products is protected?

In the coming year, I would like to see you take stronger action to ensure that the rights of your workers are protected. I will be watching closely to see what improvements you make in recognizing your workers’ right to organize. I a m committed to showing my solidarity with your workers globally to ensure that their conditions improve and their rights are respected.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Abdujalil Boymatov