For more than 25 years, the Solidarity Center's visitor exchanges have brought together high-level trade unionists from all over the world to find common ground on issues that affect working people.

When Viktor Ciorbea visited the United States as part of a Solidarity Center exchange program, no one knew that he would soon become prime minister of Romania. But it shouldn't have been surprising. For more than 25 years, the Solidarity Center's exchange programs have brought together high-level trade unionists from all over the world to find common ground on issues that affect working people. In addition to Ciorbea, graduates include 50 members of the British Parliament and scores of union leaders, like Wellington Chibebe of Zimbabwe, who helped bring democracy to their countries.

Finding Common Ground in Southern Africa

"I talked to workers at a garment factory in Swaziland," said North Carolina AFL-CIO President James Andrews, who met with Chibebe as part of a May 2005 delegation to Southern Africa. "I was amazed to find that their struggle was the mirror image of our own here in the South — they were fighting to keep their jobs as companies moved to China or India, they were fighting employers' illegal tactic of hiring 'day workers' for years on end with no retirement or health care benefits."

The delegates spoke movingly about their experiences at the May 2005 convention of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, an AFL-CIO constituency group. The CBTU, which has always stood with African unionists in their struggle for worker rights, passed a special resolution to support the Zimbabwe labor movement and the rights of Zimbabwean workers.

In Cambodia, women union members came together for the first time to share stories of organizing their workplaces, dealing with sexual harassment, and fighting for their rights on the job. The women, from garment, construction, and tourism unions, decided to form a national organization much like the U.S. Coalition of Labor Union Women.  

"All over Cambodia, women are wearing buttons that say, 'A woman's place is in her union,'" said Jan Tokumaru of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, who co-facilitated the gathering. "This was truly a historic meeting, and we plan to take it to the next level."

Breaking the Glass Ceiling in the Middle East

Leila Fawwaz came to Los Angeles and Washington, DC, to share experiences with women unionists. Fawwaz, who heads the health and safety training division of Lebanon-based Middle East Airlines, belongs to the Federation of Air Transport Workers. During a weeklong Summer Institute for Union Women, she joined women from all over the world to explore such topics as organizing, health care, and breaking the glass ceiling. On the East coast, Fawwaz met with public sector and transport union leaders, marking the first exchange between Lebanese and U.S. transport workers.

"Women are the future of the labor movement," AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson said during a tête-a-tête with Fawwaz. "Polls all over the world show women are joining unions at a faster rate than men."

Helping Save Lives in Colombia

Charlie Key of the Georgia AFL-CIO made an arduous fact-finding trip to Colombia, the most dangerous country in the world for union activists. Since 2001, more than 500 Colombian labor leaders have been killed for their union activity.

"We were devastated by the death and destruction that has been leveled on Colombian workers, especially women and children," said Key. "Hundreds of union leaders and activists have been, and are being, arbitrarily executed, detained, and displaced. Meanwhile, the Colombian government is systematically outlawing the rights of workers to form unions and bargain collectively."

To spread the word about Colombia, Key and his cohorts are developing a PowerPoint presentation to be posted on the AFL-CIO web site. They also are encouraging other union leaders to visit the country and see for themselves, and they are even proposing a Union City/sister city relationship with a local labor council.     

Teaching Russian Workers About HIV/AIDS

In June 2005, two AFL-CIO local union leaders went to Russia, where HIV/AIDS is spreading at an alarming rate. They met with teacher and health care union leaders, clinic directors, and government officials — many of whom refused to acknowledge that a problem even existed.

"This trip was a real eye-opener for me," said American Federation of Teachers Local 3837 President Jean Morningstar, who is also a vice president of the Connecticut State AFL-CIO and has a background in chemistry and microbiology. "Russian unions need so much help. We have the resources. We have the structures. We need to be there."

The Solidarity Center's International Visitor Leadership Program helps foster understanding among union leaders from all over the world.

In developing countries, unions are struggling to become partners in a democratic society. In addition, they must meet the many challenges of organizing, collective bargaining, and promoting worker protection laws.

• With funding from the U.S. Department of State, the Solidarity Center brings together American and international union leaders in a visitor exchange program.
  
   
• IVLP provides an invaluable opportunity to learn about specialized worker issues and to create lasting relationships.
  
   
• Participants have unparalleled access to the resources of the AFL-CIO, including union, political, and business contacts.
  
   
• To date, approximately 5,500 visitors have participated in 2,800 study tours, group projects, and multi-regional programs.
  
   
• IVLP graduates include a former prime minister of Romania, 50 members of the British Parliament, and scores of union leaders who helped bring democracy to their countries.