At the beginning of April, delegates from GMTU were delighted to join over 60 other organisations from 16 countries at the Encuentro in Barcelona, the first ever international congress of tenant unions – a gathering of housing activists sharing skills and experiences to build international solidarity networks.
GMTU members Elliot, Rosy and Conor, along with staff members Thirza, Dan and Ben attended debates, workshops and presentations with 200 other activists at the 3 day event, organised by the Catalunya Tenants Union.
The first day consisted of a tour of housing justice initiatives in Barcelona. Day 2 saw everyone getting involved in discussions on Financialized Corporate Landlords, the intersection of Racial Justice and Housing Justice, Alternative Housing Models, and Building Tenant Power. On the third day the Catalunya Tenants’ Union hosted a series of debates and workshops on how to create and sustain strong tenant and housing rights organisations, sharing and learning from each other’s organising strategies, direct action tactics and tools to improve impact.
Our delegates returned, brimming with new ideas and bolstered by their conversations with other tenant activists. When asked what impressed them about the other unions at the Encuentro, each delegate had something to say.
Elliot talked about the LA Tenant Union’s specialised, volunteer research team, which any member can turn to for help researching their landlord. Thirza picked out Moms 4 Housing in Toronto as an organic, organised radical group formed out of oppressive conditions who were doing great work. Conor said, “Catalan tenants union uses an “advice assembly” model. This model attracts all people seeking support to the same meeting and advice is given to all people, which means that the advice and solidarity is socialised and collective.” Rosie, Conor and Dan pointed out that tenants approaching unions for support are often expected to undertake some work themselves before the unions get involved, such as: research the landlord, speak to neighbours to get them involved, and begin negotiations.
Vulture capital has now entered the rental market. Blackstone has positioned itself as a global corporate landlord and is Spain’s largest private landlord. But it is not immune to the attentions of tenant unions. In Madrid, tenants have fought back and won. As Blackstone have offices in many different countries, it is feasible that GMTU could stage protests outside their UK offices in solidarity with tenant unions in other countries, and vice-versa.
Rent strikes were a hot topic at the event. In the UK, Section 21 and the lack of rent control makes it difficult in this country but in others it seems an effective way of forcing landlords to meet tenants’ demands.
Funding for most of the other unions comes solely from members’ subs because any other form of funding is simply not available. Dan said, “Sindicat de Barri del Poble Sec (one of the Barcelona unions) made it clear that this is the only way to stay stable and independent as an organisation.” Other methods that unions used to raise funds included selling merchandise and t-shirts, putting on events and ensuring that tenants were signed up as paying members before they received help.
Training and political education is an important part of the unions’ activities. Some had reading groups, others ran regular summer school type weekends for incoming members. Many delivered a short speech at the beginning of each branch meeting to explain how a union operates.
It seems that the other unions were impressed with GMTU, too. With Section 21 and no rent control, housing law in the UK seems to be worse for tenants than in other countries and many were amazed we were able to organise at all. They were surprised that we were able to speak directly to, and influence, power holders such as Andy Bunham. Our extensive work challenging social housing providers was a point of great interest, as other unions did not have social housing of any kind in their countries.
Summing up, Thirza said that we need to do more international work and partnership building in the future. Elliot said, “Overall, there was a sense that other unions are more “successful” and have higher membership than ours but given how draconian our laws are, I came away thinking we are respectively one of the best organised unions. Also I strongly suggest we maintain these dialogues and connections to these other unions – especially those in Britain. It has given me a lot of hope having met them and seen the work they’re doing.” Dan said, “Let’s do it again!”
The event culminated in the reading of The Barcelona Declaration. Signed by all attending organisations, the declaration is a cornerstone of the international movement, a commitment to fight together and in coordination to continue developing strategies that stop real estate commodification and defend the right to housing. You can read the full declaration here
