AID cooperative agreement no. 524-0308-A-00-0022-00 with the American Institute for Free Labor Development for a program in support of the Confederation of Labor Unity (CUS) and other independent democratic unions

The project will support AIFLD"s activities in four areas. (1) AIFLD will provide TA to help CUS and the three other labor unions that make up the Permanent Congress of Workers (CPT) to carry out organizing drives aimed at enlisting workers from the public and private industrial, service, and agricultural sectors. Total CPT membership is expected to grow by 50%, and 25 new unions will be created. AIFLD will also help CPT members to perform needs assessments and feasibility studies on the types of programs needed to recruit and retain new members. (2) AIFLD will undertake workshops and seminars geared toward providing skills in basic union development to lower-level union officers as well as training in grievance procedures, union administration, and labor legislation. Mid-level officers of the independent trade unions will be trained in democratic political behavior (e.g., compromise, delegation of authority). Through the use of educational programs, seminars, and conferences, CPT leaders will be trained to promote the interests of labor throughout government. AIFLD will also strengthen existing programs in CUS and other unions in the fields of vocational training, basic literacy, and agricultural skill training. (3) AIFLD may provide budget support to the independent unions, which are basically without alternative income sources. This support may cover administrative expenses, and also provision of basic services, such as health clinics, for union members. (4) Operational expenses for an AIFLD office to be opened in Nicaragua will be funded as well.