February, 2021 • www.gli-manchester.net

GLU Masters Call for Applications

The Global Labour University (GLU) – a network of trade unions, universities, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the ILO – invites trade unionists and labour activists to apply for its 2021 Masters Programme in the USA and in Germany.

2021 GLU Masters Programme in the USA

The Masters Programme in Professional Studies (MPS) in Labor and Global Workers’ Rights at Penn State in central Pennsylvania in the USA focuses on global workers’ rights, work and gender in the global economy, employment relations system around the world, and strategic corporate research and organizing campaigns.

Classes of this 12 month program will begin in August of 2021.

Trade unionists with a trade union recommendation letter can apply for scholarships.

For more information see here.

Application deadline: 15 March 2021

Contact: lgwr@psu.edu

2021 GLU Masters Programme in Germany

The Masters Programme ‘Labour Policies & Globalisation’ in Germany focuses on policies for social justice including global governance, international labour standards, economics, trade and multinational enterprises. This one-year programme is part of a wider project to promote cooperation between trade unions and the research community and to strengthen the analytical and policy development capacity of trade unions.

The course in Germany takes place at the University of Kassel (1^st semester) and the Berlin School of Economics and Law (2^nd semester) and is taught in English.

Trade unionists with a trade union recommendation letter can apply for scholarships.

For more information see here.

Application deadline: 1 March 2021

Contact: glu.germany@uni-kassel.de

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February 23, 2021

Latest

Global Labour University, GLU
New Article – Beyond traditional trade unionism: innovative worker responses in three African cities

Insufficient attention has been given to how workers organisations are challenging precarious and informal work through new hybrid forms of organising in the Global South.

Dave Spooner, Director of the GLI, has contributed to an article which examines how workers in three different African cities are innovating and experimenting with new forms of worker organisation. This includes traditional unions reaching out to precarious workers in Cape Town, hybrid forms of worker organizations in Kampala, and workers in the gig economy starting a process of self-organization in Johannesburg.

The examples reveal that if current trade union organizations are to meet the needs of informal workers and the new workers of the digital economy they will need to transform, rediscover their power and the capabilities necessary to realize this power.

This article can be purchased to read here.

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February 11, 2021

Latest

informalworkers, informalworkersorganising, tradeunionorganising
The success of Dakar’s BRT system depends on the inclusion of informal workers

Source: ITF

“BRT’s success depends not only on sound design and engineering, but also on the long-term and inclusive business models that address the underlying problems of the informal transport political economy” writes Professor Papa Sakho from the Laboratory of Human Geography, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound economic and health impact on the lives of millions of informal transport workers. But as the recently published report by the Cheikh Anta Diop University and Global Labour Institute shows, Dakar’s informal transport workers were already vulnerable before the pandemic.

In the article published on the ITF website, Professor Sakho highlights how BRT – by formalising parts of the informal transport economy – could build a stronger future transport system and reduce social inequalities. But to be truly effective, it requires the inclusion of informal workers. Read the full article here.

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February 8, 2021

Latest
Job Opportunity: Researcher/Organiser
The Global Labour Institute is looking to appoint a member of staff for research and education programmes with the international trade union movement. The contract will be for 12 months, potentially extendable.
Flexible working (minimum equivalent of three days per week) and location (worldwide).

Job Description

Main role

To support the planning and delivery of research and education programmes on the livelihoods, organisation and representation of informal workers, with particular reference to the informal transport industry, in partnership with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), local and national trade unions, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), academic institutions and specialist transport agencies.

Main duties

To plan and deliver programmes of support to trade unions and associations of informal transport workers in the global South, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, through:

research and writing on livelihoods and the political economy of the informal passenger transport industry and trade union organisation strategies towards sustainable transport based on worker-led formalisation, decent work and inclusive planning

field research in partnership with local trade unions, informal workers’ associations, academic institutions and partner organisations

national and international workshops and training events for trade union and workers’ association representatives

reports, education materials and internet resources for trade union representatives, negotiators, educators and partner organisations

Person Specification

Essentials

Broad understanding of the principles and objectives of the labour movement, and an appreciation of the political foundations of the GLI and its partner organisations

Interest in key issues of globalisation, climate change, just transition, gender equality, labour and human rights, international development and democracy

Research capability to a high academic standard

Experience of working with trade unions, workers’ associations, or community-based organisations in the global South

Ability to communicate complex ideas and information in plain English, both orally and in writing.

Strong organisational skills and capability to manage work efficiently, imaginatively and cooperatively as part of a small team

Competence in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint

Ability and willingness to undertake international travel (Covid restrictions permitting)

Desirable

Non-English language skills, especially French

Knowledge of informal economy issues and policy debates

Experience of work with or for the transport industry

Master’s degree, equivalent experience or another post-graduate qualification

Project management skills and experience

Adult education or trade union education teaching experience
For more information, see the full job description and person specification here.

If you are interested, please send your CV and a covering letter (maximum 800 words) setting out your interest and suitability for the position to recruitment@global-labour.net (by email only please).

Deadline for applications: 12:00 noon (UK time) Monday 1 March 2021

GLI is a not-for-profit independent organisation, based in the UK. It was formed in 2010 to work with the trade union movement to encourage and support international solidarity and organisation through education and research. It is underpinned by the principles of democratic socialism, equality and environmental justice, but is not party-political.

We specialise in research and education for trade union organisation among precarious and informal workers; research and education in the areas of gender and ‘just transition’; design, management and evaluation of international trade union capacity development and education programmes; and the history and political agenda of the international trade union movement.
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February 1, 2021

Latest

Job Opportunity

GLU Masters Call for Applications

2021 GLU Masters Programme in the USA

2021 GLU Masters Programme in Germany

New Article – Beyond traditional trade unionism: innovative worker responses in three African cities

Insufficient attention has been given to how workers organisations are challenging precarious and informal work through new hybrid forms of organising in the Global South.

The success of Dakar’s BRT system depends on the inclusion of informal workers

Job Opportunity: Researcher/Organiser