FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 27, 2009

CONTACT: Greg Denier, 202-486-2365
Noreen Nielsen, 202-721-6047

WASHINGTON, DC – Change to Win and the All-China Trade Unions (ACFTU) signed an historic agreement during a meeting yesterday in Beijing, China reaffirming both parties commitment to further exchanges, cooperation and communication in the changing global economy. The agreement, signed by Change to Win chair Anna Burger and ACFTU Vice-President Ms. Sun Chunlan, will help build a new generation of solidarity that lifts labor standards, supports workers interests and holds corporations accountable.

“This historic visit brings together two great union federations that share a common vision of advancing workers’ interests in China and around the world,” said Change to Win chair Anna Burger. “By reaffirming our commitment to further exchanges and cooperation, we can help ensure that all workers share in the benefits of the global economy. Our employers are global, our unions must also be global.”

During the meeting, labor leaders discussed next steps following the formal agreement which include: exchanges around creating green jobs in China and the U.S., joint research on global companies operating in the U.S. and China, bringing workers from global companies together to share experiences with labor’s involvement in the economic recovery and practices in organizing, and developing trade policies that will advance workers’ interests.

Change to Win unions, which represent six million American workers, share common employers with millions of Chinese workers throughout the service, transportation and industrial sectors. The ACFTU represents 219 million workers in China and has collective bargaining agreements covering 80 percent of the Fortune 500 global companies with operations in China. Those collective bargaining agreements include all Wal-Mart workers, thus recognizing their right to union representation in China -- a right that is denied to Wal-Mart workers in the United States.

** Note: Media representatives interested in scheduling an interview with Change to Win leaders should contact Noreen Nielsen at Noreen.nielsen@changetowin.org. **

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About Change to Win
Change to Win is a 5.5-million member partnership of five unions founded in 2005 to represent workers in the industries and occupations of the 21st century economy. Change to Win is committed to restoring the American Dream for a new generation of workers – wages that can support a family, affordable health care, a secure retirement, and the opportunity for the future. The affiliated unions are: Service Employees International Union, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Laborers' International Union of North America, and United Farm Workers of America.