Sodexo workers in Colombia win first collective agreement.

The Sodexo IUF global framework agreement was the platform to enable Sodexo workers from La Loma, a mining region of Colombia to gain their first collective agreement. Claims for the collective agreement were first forwarded to the company in February 2012 but at first Sodexo refused to recognise SICO, the workers union. According to the SICO National President Julio Ruben Padilla,the Company changed its mind and negotiated in good faith due to the resistance of the workers, support from the national federation CUT and through the intervention of the IUF. Union recognition and union rights including union education and meetings were won in the Agreement. The union also negotiated wage increases, a formal disciplinary procedure, education aid for workers’ children and an education fund for workers.