Industry/Service: Private Catering
Union(s) Involved: (1) IUF, (2) BFAWU, (3) T&G
Profile of Union:
(1) The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF) is an international federation of trade unions representing workers employed in agriculture and plantations, the preparation and manufacture of food and beverages, hotels, restaurants and catering services and all stages of tobacco processing. The IUF currently has 336 trade unions in 120 countries representing a combined membership of over 12 million workers. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland. Its membership was largely European up until after World War II when it expanded to reach countries in the rest of the world. Following the merger of the previously existing international federations for bakery, brewery and meat workers in 1920, when it was known as the International Union of Food and Drink Workers, the IUF was formed. The issues that the IUF are currently dealing with are the assisting of affiliates to strengthen member unions and it also aims to promote women's equality at the workplace, in society and in the trade union movement whilst providing trade union education programs to help build the strength and independence of affiliated unions.
(2) The BFAWU (Bakers, Food & Allied Workers Union) was first formed in 1847 in Manchester, as a group of Journeymen Bakers came together to improve wages and living standards. The following year this group expanded in to a national organisation and it now has approximately 25, 823 members.
Over the years the Union has grown in numbers and strength, as well as gathering experience in assisting and protecting workers. It remains a food-based Union, operating an ...