ASARCO WORKERS REFUSE COMPANY’S PROPOSAL
The union and Asarco, subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, failed to reach agreement on ending the strike that has now been going on for more than two months. It is hoped that new meetings will be held in the coming weeks to seek a solution to the conflict.
USA: Workers at Asarco, United States subsidiary of Grupo Mexico, have rejected a company proposal to end the strike at its mining operations in Arizona and Texas.
The strike has been going on for more than two months. On July 4, 1,500 workers refused to accept cuts in benefits, at a time when copper prices were at a record high on the world market, and decided to go on strike.
The issue that has provoked most discord is the union demand for guarantees that it will continue to represent the workers if the company is sold.
Asarco’s Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Tellechea, criticised union leaders and said it seemed they were not interested in finding a solution to the strike.
Union leader, Terry Bonds, told Reuters news agency that he might contact the company in the next few days to seek a resumption of negotiations, even though the workers had rejected Asarco’s proposal. He said, "we have not refused to meet them (the company)". "I can prove we have not refused to meet them and I will try for new dates", added the leader. [September 14, 2005]
IFA WITH ARCELOR
The IMF and EMF sign an agreement on corporate social responsibility with the global steel company Arcelor, the first international framework agreement reached in the steel sector.
LUXEMBOURG: The International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF) has joined the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) and Arcelor management as signatories of a Worldwide Agreement on the Principles of Arcelor’s Corporate Social Responsibility.
The agreement recognises that people working for Arcelor lie at the heart of the company’s global success. Respect for ILO Conventions on freedom of association, collective bargaining, non-discrimination, and no forced or child labour are included in the agreement. Commitments on providing health and safety and life-long training for workers are also made in the agreement.
Arcelor is a major steel company that supplies the automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging industries. Based in Europe and with a major presence in Brazil, Arcelor employs 95,000 people in over 60 countries.
Rob Johnston, IMF Director for Steel, who represented the IMF at the signing ceremony in Luxembourg on September 12, welcomed the international agreement with Arcelor.
"This agreement not only recognises the vital importance of Arcelor’s workforce, but also sets out in clear terms how the company will respect its workers worldwide. We look forward to working with Arcelor to implement this agreement, the first of its kind in the steel sector," said Rob Johnston.
A copy of the agreement (currently only available in French) is published on the IMF website. [September 14, 2005]
