1. Baltic Organizing Academy
14-17 May 2013, Turin

2. Number of union members in Estonia 2007-2013

3. Percentage of union members (EAKL) 2012
2011 – 5,4%
2010 – 5,8%
Number of workforce ,800
Union members - 29,400

4. Story of BOA
The Baltic Organizing Academy (BOA) is a multisectoral and multinational organizing program that brings together Nordic and Baltic trade unions
Industry, service and transport sector
Organizing model
The aim is to build strong trade unions in the Baltic states with support from the Nordic region
Organizing becomes self-supporting
The BOA is an open program

5. Elements of BOA Resources Planning and developing Education
Organizing to win

6. BOA – it is about organizing
Organize to build power
Unite to organize
Organizing to empower workers from bottom up
Organize to bargain – bargain to organize
Organizing by sector
Organize sustainable union structures

7. Organizing in the logistics sector
Green field organizing: no members, no CBAs
Slow start
Difficulty of selecting a target
Difficulty of finding contact details and making the first contacts
A focused effort was needed, a target company was selected.
Smarten Logistics AS, the largest 3PL company in Estonia

8. AS (Ltd) Smarten Logistics
Based on Estonian capital
The largest third party logistics provider (3PL) in Estonia
Strong client base including manufacturers, distributors
as well as retail businesses
Entered the market 20 years ago
Operating in 5 warehouses
280 workers (target group of 210)

9. Campaign goals Creation of ETTA department (head-shop steward,
shop-stewards, union board)
Union density – at least 55%
Employer’s recognition (payment of membership fees through pay-roll system, access to workplaces, meetings with new hires)
CBA
(Sector-based CBA in perspective)

10. Phases of campaign Preparation Base building Committee building
Going public
Moving to action
Victory

11. 1:1 list

12. Company wall chart

13. Weekly report

14. Weekly report

15. Smarten Logistics campaign progress

16. Campaign results ETTA section has been formed
Shop-steward has been elected
38% of union density in the main warehouse
(70% of the goal)
„Moving to action“ phase – fighting for union recognition
Project of CBA is in preparation

17. Thank you for your attention
Thank you
for your
attention 17