World Organization of Workers

The World Organization of Workers (WOW) is an international trade union federation.

WOW
Full nameWorld Organization of Workers
FoundedSeptember 1921
Members1.3 million in 60 countries
Key people
  • Wayne Prins, President
  • Bjørn van Heusden, Executive Secretary
CountryInternational
Websitewww.wow-world.org

History

WOW was founded in September 1921, as the International Federation of Christian Employees' Trade Unions. After several name changes, it became the World Federation of Clerical Workers (WFCW). The WFCW joined the International Federation of Christian Trade Unions (IFCTU), which was later called the World Confederation of Labour (WCL). On October 31, 2006, the WCL was dissolved when it joined with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions to form the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). Rather than join ITUC, the WFCW decided to function as an independent trade union federation under the name World Organization of Workers (WOW).[1]

Malta World Congress

WOW held its first World Congress from November 2 to 9, 2008, in Malta. It was at this conference that the name World Organization of Workers (WOW) was formally adopted. Also at this conference two resolutions were adopted. The first resolution dealt with Social dialogue, International Labour Standards and Social Justice.[2] The second resolution promoted a new balance within corporate governance structures.[2]

Organization

Currently, 130 trade unions are affiliated with WOW, representing 1.3 million workers from 60 nations. The president is Roel Rotshuizen,[3] the secretary general of the Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond (CNV). WOW's headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium.

The federation's 2019 congress was attended by the following unions:[4]

  • ASIPA (Spain)
  • CFTL (Portugal)
  • CGB (Germany)
  • KOK (Czech Republic)
  • CNV (Netherlands)
  • FCG (Austria)
  • Krifa (Denmark)
  • Solidarity (Poland)
  • SS Bofos (Serbia)
  • Vost ‘Volya’ (Ukraine)
  • Voice (United Kingdom)

See also

References
  1. "World Organization of Workers (WOW)". UIA Open Yearbook. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  2. "World Organization of Workers" (PDF). Resolution. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  3. "LinkedIn: Roel Rotshuizen". Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  4. "WOW Conference 2019". Voice. Retrieved 9 April 2020.


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