1930s


The origins of the Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI), which is a merger of  International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (IFBWW) and World Federation of Building and Woodworkers (WFBW), can be traced back to the 1930s.

The Building Workers International and Wood Workers International joined together to form the IFBWW. Over time, other unions joined the federation, including the International Secretariat of Stone Masons, the International Secretariat of Painters and Allied Trades, and the International Secretariat of Bricklayers, each adding strength to the global labour movement.

On the other hand, the WFBW emerged as the successor to the International Federation of Christian Building and Woodworkers' Unions, which was established in Paris on September 9, 1937. This marked a significant moment in the evolution of international trade unionism in the building and wood sectors.

2005

The International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (IFBWW) and the World Federation of Building and Woodworkers Union (WFBW) united to form Building and Wood Workers International (BWI), a Global Union Federation (GUF), formerly known as an International Trade Secretariat (ITS). This merger aimed to consolidate efforts and strengthen the voice of workers in the global building and wood industries.

BWI elected its founding President Klaus Weisehügel of IG BAU Germany and first General Secretary Anita Normark of Sweden.

2009

The 2nd Congress was held in Lille, France with the Congress theme “Global Solidarity for a Sustainable Future”. The Congress elected the incumbent President Klaus Weisehügel of IG BAU Germany and a new General Secretary Ambet Yuson of the Philippines.

2013

The 3rd Congress of BWI was convened in Bangkok, Thailand with the theme “Jobs for All, Justice for All: Unions make it Passible”. Per-Olof Sjöö from the GS Union of Sweden took over as the BWI President while Ambet Yuson was re-elected as General Secretary. The IMPACT Strategic Plan 2014 – 2017 was adopted which structured BWI actions under Union, Jobs and Rights.

2017

Under the banner of “Amandla! Power to the People”, the Congress adopted the Amandla! Strategic Plan 2018 – 2021 wherein the BWI Strategic Actions of Organising-Trade Union Building, Negotiating, and Influencing were identified. It also framed the Arenas of Trade Unionism which included: 1. The Workplace; 2. The Industry; 3. The Society; 4. The Region Arena; and 5. The Global Arena. And for the first time, BWI priorities were called Convergences and these were the following: 1. Rights for All; 2. Safe Work; 3. Youth in Unions; 4. Gender Equality; 5. Sustainable Industries; 6. Fair Games; and 7. Organised Value Chains.

President Per-Olof Sjöö and General Secretary Ambet Yuson were re-elected. For the first time, women constituted 38% of the global leadership.

2022

Delayed due the COVID pandemic, the 5^th Congress of BWI was held in Madrid, Spain in 2022. Rallying under the Congress theme “Vamos! Organise Beyond Borders: For the People. For Peace. For the Planet.”, BWI approved its Vamos! Strategic Plan 2023 - 2026 that is anchored on more focused Convergences, namely: 1) Fighting for Climate Justice (“Climate Justice”); 2. Building Trade Unions (“Inclusive Trade Unions”); 3. Ensuring Safe and Healthy Workers (“Safe and Healthy Workers”); 4. Globalising Workers Rights (“Globalised Rights”); and 5) Fair Future of Work (“Equal Future”).

The top leadership were re-elected but more trade unionists from the developing world have taken global leadership roles as well. Gender parity at the Presidium was also achieved during this Congress period.