2004 Trainings and Exchanges

STITCH has coordinated three trainings in early 2004, concluding our series with the SITRABI youth and doing an additional training with the SITRACOR maquila union (see Training Exchanges 2003). We are currently working to set up future trainings or exchanges with the new maquila union in Guatemala, SITRANB (Sindicato de Trabajadores de Nobland). One program priority for 2004 is the development of a training curriculum for unions, and our training efforts this year will be directly linked to field-testing and development of the manual.

SITRACOR (Sindicato de Trabajadores de Corazón Apparel), La Lima, Honduras
Legal Proceedings for Union Leaders (February 7)

STITCH coordinated a training requested by SITRACOR on legal proceedings, which was led by IGTLF lawyer Felix Suazo. In addition to describing the correct steps for processing grievances with the Honduran Labor Ministry, the facilitator used current events within the factory as examples for how to process complaints and give adequate follow-up to each case.

Youth Group from SITRABI (Sindicato de Trabajadores de Bananeros de Izabal)
Morales, Guatemala
Communication Strategies: Getting your Message Across (January 27-28)

The facilitators at HIJOS led this training on communication strategies, emphasizing the role of media and how youth are portrayed to the public. Participants devised sample public campaigns around themes such as gender and youth leadership and discussed the importance of presenting a clear and consistent message.

Series Evaluation and Next Steps (February 26-27)
For our final event of the series with the SITRABI youth, we evaluated the training process so far and asked the youth members to analyze the next steps they wish to take as well as the support they would need to do so. They plan to organize and meet as a youth group recognized within SITRABI; this will be a major step for them on their own initiative.