‘The ELSA programme has changed me as a person’

The Ugandan trade union in the textile, clothing and leather industry faces considerable challenges such as intimidation by employers resulting in low membership numbers. However, union leader Peter Bendo feels empowered by the ELSA programme from Mondiaal FNV to further professionalise his union.

Peter Bendo. Photo: Compass Media

Peter Bendo saw immediate results from the lessons learned during the ELSA programme. “During previous salary negotiations, we often came in with a very rigid view whereby we were only focusing on our demands”, says the 39-year-old general secretary of the Ugandan trade union UTGLAWU, for the clothing, textile and leather industry. However, during the ELSA-training module on negotiations, the Ugandan trade union leaders learned that rigidity can be a real negotiation-killer, that might lead to going home empty-handed.

Listening to the employers

The union decided to take a completely different approach at new salary negotiations, at a company where previous talks had been very difficult. They participated in the talks more as a team whereby each team member was allowed to bring in arguments. As a result, the atmosphere was much better. “We also tried to listen to the employers and to trust them. As a result, we noticed that they also treated us more with respect and started to listen to us,” the general secretary explains.

The negotiations turned out to be a great success. The union managed to get a 13 percent salary increase for the first year, 10 percent for the second year and another 10 percent for the following year. “I was overjoyed and immediately called the ELSA-trainers to tell them about the success,” the Ugandan tells with a big smile, who believes that without the ELSA programme this would not have been possible.

Grown personality

The union leader also believes that the ELSA programme has changed him as a person. “In groups, I used to prefer to stay in the background,” says Peter, who didn't like to talk and sometimes even fell asleep during previous courses. However, this ELSA-training was a completely new experience. “With all the interactive assignments and games the trainers encouraged everyone - including the shy participants - to participate actively. Nowadays, my fellow students even tease me by saying that I talk too much”, says Peter with a laugh, who now even enjoys to take the lead in a group thanks to his boosted self-confidence. “My personality has really grown, which will also help me as a union leader.”

The general secretary believes that it was also very valuable and inspirational to have such intensive contact with other Ugandan trade union leaders during the workshops. “I learned from the general secretary of the transport union, for example, how they contact informal workers and persuade to join the union. This becomes also relevant to our union, as in our sector also more and more informal workers are active”, Peter says.

The importance of a financial plan

The general secretary also learned that it is important to organise a trade union in a much more structured way. “Our financial spendings were very ad hoc”, the union leader says, who learned during the ELSA programme to make a financial plan. “Nowadays, we plan in advance where we will spend money on and where not, so we work in a more structured way.” Peter also learned to make a realistic work plan for the union. “We’ve specifically hired someone who keeps an eye on this plan, reminds us about deadlines and keeps us on track so we will manage to achieve the goals within the agreed timeframes.”

Peter wishes to increase the union membership of 5,000 significantly in the coming years. "This number is far too low," the unionist states, who estimates that in the sector work at least 12,000 people, although there is no complete overview as many companies do not provide access to the union.

Unfortunately, the union struggles with many employers who try to block workers from joining the union. “Many employers do not recognise us and don’t allow us to enter their premises,” the trade unionist tells. “Even when we manage to recruit workers outside the gates, afterwards those workers often get intimidated by employers who threaten to evict them out of their company housing. Subsequently, the workers beg us to be removed from the membership lists again.” Moreover, at some Chinese companies the management speaks little to no English, which makes it extremely difficult to negotiate, Peter says.

Join forces

Despite these challenges, the union leader has been delighted that Mondiaal FNV has brought the ELSA programme to Uganda. “The programme helps us to professionalise our unions but also helps me and other union leaders to grow”, Peter says. “And lastly, the programme has brought Ugandan trade union leaders together, allowing us to join forces.”