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- GEA Locks Out Turkish Union Members, Calls In Police
- UNI Fights Protection Contracts In Mexico
- Rubber Bullets Repress Minimum Wage Demands In Batam
- ICEM Cngress Approves New Global Union
- IMF and Chinese ACFTU Step Up Exchange
- EMF Calls For Industrial Policy For Shipbuilding
- Workers Demand an End to Unfair Wage Differentials at Xstrata
- Philips Unions Go Global
- Successful Negotiations in German Steelworks
- European Metalworkers in ArcelorMittal Mobilize on December 1
- General Strike Hits Portugal on November 24
- Metalworkers to Meet in Jakarta
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GEA Locks Out Turkish Union Members, Calls in Police
62 workers at a Turkish subsidiary of German-owned GEA have been locked out since July. An international delegation of some 60 representatives from 20 countries visited the plant and called on the company to reinstate the workers immediately.
TURKEY: "If GEA has enough courage, then let GEA go to Germany and do the same to German workers ─ dismiss the German workers because they are unionized," challenged Adnan Serdaroglu, leader of the Turkish metal union Birlesik Metal-IS referring to the German company's illegal and anti-union behavior in Turkey.
Serdaroglu spoke to a crowd of over 100 on Novermber 18, including some 60 international trade union representatives from 20 countries, gathered outside of GEA Klima Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., a subsidiary of GEA Group, to protest the company's illegal lock-out of 62 workers, all members of Birlesik Metal.
The protest was part of this year's Labourstart annual world conference, held in Istanbul November 18-20 and themed, "From Social Networking to Social Revolution."
"The WORKERS, UNITED, will never be defeated" chanted the crowd in Turkish and English amidst a backdrop of heavy police presence in riot gear inside the company gates. "You don't often see the police on the other side of gate," commented Derek Blackadder from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, "I guess it really tells you just how powerful this company is."
At the center of the struggle is GEA's open hostility and aggressive attacks on members of Birlesik Metal employed at its Turkish plant. The company's blatant anti-union behavior runs contrary to GEA Group's professed respect for Freedom of Association and a 2003 Code of Conduct agreement signed with the IMF and renewed in 2007.
Watch GEA video on IMF TV here.
"We are outraged by the trade union rights abuses that are occurring here, we are outraged that the company refuses to meet with the union," said IMF Director for Trade Union Rights & Campaigns, Kristyne Peter. "The unions and the workers we represent around the world are here to say that we are not going to let GEA get away with this. We are Turks, we are Germans, we are Australians, we are Norwegians, we are Americans. We are everywhere this company operates and everywhere it wants to operate," added Peter.
Both ITUC, ICEM IUF and ITF have expressed their support to the GEA workers and urged management to enter into meaningful dialogue with Birlesik Metal-Is representatives to find a resolution.
The IMF in partnership with Labourstart has launched an international campaign in support of GEA workers fighting for reinstatement and the respect of fundamental rights for GEA workers worldwide. Get involved and join the campaign!!
CLICK THROUGH TO LABOURSTART CAMPAIGN
For more photos visit Flickr. [Nov 28, 2011 – Kristyne Peter]
UNI Fights Protection Contracts in Mexico
UNI Global Union has released a video in support of the workers at Atento Mexico fighting for their right to have a democratic and independent trade union.
GLOBAL: In October 2011 workers of the Mexican company Atento Mexico tried to vote for a democratic trade union, Sindicato de Telefonistas de la Republica Mexicana (STRM). Instead of respecting their choice the company, using thugs and a protection union, tried to influence the process and undermine the voting.
UNI contacted Atento's Spanish parent company Telefonica, with which it has a global agreement, to ensure that Atento management would not interfere with the election. However, the election was rife with such interference. Workers who wanted to vote for STRM were denied a fair chance to cast their ballots.
To support workers at Atento Mexico in their fight for a democratic and independent union UNI Global Union released a video. There is also a special page on Facebook.
IMF is actively fighting against the corrupt practice of protection contracts in Mexico. In February 2009 IMF submitted a complaint against protection contracts to the Committee on Freedom of Association of the International Labour Organization. Later, the complaint received support from International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and four Mexican unions including STRM.
In 2011 the ILO Governing body ruled on this case and demanded that the Mexican government conduct a social dialogue and redress the arbitrary functioning of the labour courts which makes it possible to manipulate workers’ rights through the use of protection contracts. [Dec 01, 2011 – Alex Ivanou]
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Rubber Bullets Repress Minimum Wage Demands in Batam
Hundreds of thousands of workers descended on the streets in Batam in the Indonesian Riau Islands province known for its free trade zone, demanding decent minimum wages. They were met with rubber bullets and tear gas.
INDONESIA: The rally started early in the morning at 5 am on November 23 and lasted for three days. A large column of people went from the industrial area Muka Kuning, Batu Ampar, Tanjung Uncang, and Batam center towards Batam mayor’s office. The rally paralyzed traffic on a distance of ten kilometers. 80 per cent of the industrial area and special economic zone (SEZ) was shut down.
Indonesian unions jointly decided to hold the protest rally to demand that the government addresses an unfair gap in minimum wages for Batam workers. The current minimum wage in Batam amounts to US$124 per month, which represents 93 per cent of the KHL (national Standard minimum living cost) equal to US$137. In comparison, the minimum wage in Jakarta is set to US$163, and US$179 in the metal sector. In Bekasi it is US$157 and US$192 respectively. Batam workers demand a minimum wage of US$185.
In the afternoon the police tried to disperse the workers with tear gas and gunfire. Four workers, including two members of IMF's Indonesian affiliate FSPMI were hit by rubber bullets. Many got injuries and had to be hospitalized.
The Government has so far ignored workers’ claims. FSPMI (Federation of Indonesian Metal Workers' Union) has taken the following initiatives:
- To establish a Decent Wage Action Committee (KAUL-Komite Aksi Upah Layak).
- To demand a minimum wage for Batam Riau Islands in 2012 at the level of IDR 1,760,000 (US$193) and IDR 1,848,000 (US$203) for the metal sector.
- To demand the resignation of Batam's mayor for ignoring labour claims, leading to riots in Batam.
- To demand dismissal of the police chief of Riau islands and vice police chief of Balerang for their repressive police action (tear gas use and shootings) in result of which four workers were shot.
- To urge the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights in coordination with the police chief to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of the shooting and those who ordered them.
IMF has sent a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to support the demands of the Indonesian workers. [Dec 01, 2011 – Alex Ivanou]
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ICEM Congress Approves New Global Union
ICEM’s Congress in Buenos Aires unanimously approves the creation of a new global union organization in June 2012. Senzeni Zokwana is re-elected President and Manfred Warda General Secretary.
ARGENTINA: 800 delegates to the fifth Congress of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) on November 24-26 in Buenos Aires unanimously approved a resolution to dissolve the federation and to found a new global union organization together with the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) and the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation (ITGLWF) in June 2012 in Copenhagen.
By acclamation, Senzeni Zokwana was re-elected president and Manfred Warda general secretary. Zokwana is the president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) of South Africa. Delegates also elected 20 vice-presidents and a 59-member Executive Committee to serve until the dissolution and founding congress in June next year.
The Congress adopted an Action Plan which details the priorities in different regions and sectors such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, paper, energy and mining.
Resolutions were passed on furthering the ICEM's work in the MENA region, particularly with Iraqi and Palestinian unions, on an active response to the financial crisis and support for a financial transaction tax, labour rights in Colombia, repressive postures of governments in Hungary and other European countries, European-based companies hampering trade union rights in Turkey, electric energy, the Trans-Pacific trade partnership agreement, and on support to the striking PT Freeport Indonesia Workers' Union in Papua Province in their courageous struggle against the multinational Freeport-McMoRan.
The lessons, best practices and future strategies of ICEM's Contract and Agency Labour (CAL) campaign were debated at a conference before the Congress.
Congress news and documents can be found and downloaded here. [Dec 01, 2011 – Rainer Santi]
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IMF and Chinese ACFTU Step Up Exchange
IMF delegation discusses trade union strategies on globalization with All-China Federation of Trade Unions in Shanghai.
CHINA: Organizing, collective bargaining and trade union networks were debated at a seminar between the International Metalworkers' Federation and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) on November 29-30 in Shanghai. 30 Chinese national, regional and local level representatives attended, together with IMF delegates from Germany, Japan, United States, Brazil, Sweden and the IMF head office.
ACFTU officials reported on a considerable increase in trade union membership as a result of focus on organizing. Following success at Wal-Mart, a campaign had been carried out to reach an 85 percent unionization rate in major multinational companies on the Fortune 500 list. ACFTU now has over 240 million members, of whom 27 million in the metal industries, organized by the Chinese Machinery, Metallurgical and Building Materials Workers' Union (CMMBMWU).
A lively debate took place on the growing number of labour disputes in China, including suicides at Foxconn and strikes at Honda and its suppliers in 2010. Workers need to have channels to express themselves through workers' participation and democratic management, said ACFTU officials.
Strikes and increased focus on collective bargaining have led to considerable wage increases. The Chinese government and ACFTU support the rise of purchasing power. Minimum wages have been raised by 10-30 percent in different provinces.
IMF delegates explained how unions around the world were building power as a response to globalization. They gave examples of trade union networks and the use of different tools such as international framework agreements (IFA), OECD guidelines and ILO conventions for organizing and enforcing global labour standards.
Chinese local level union leaders offered their cooperation as Chinese companies are boosting investment in industrial companies abroad, such as Geely's takeover of Volvo Cars.
IMF General Secretary Jyrki Raina suggested continued exchange on organizing, collective bargaining, workers' participation, networking, health and safety, climate change and trade. Chinese delegates are already participating in IMF's World Works Councils and networks in companies such as Volkswagen, Siemens, Bosch and SKF. [Dec 01, 2011 – Rainer Santi]
EMF Calls for Industrial Policy for Shipbuilding
The Executive Committee of the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF), meeting in Brussels on November 23-24, sets down its position on the shipbuildning industry. In a declaration addressed to the European Union Commissioners the EMF calls for an integrated industrial policy for the sector, and for a critical industrial mass of shipbuilding activities in Europe.
EUROPE: In its "Rosyth Declaration for a new industrial policy strategy" the EMF demands that the EU and EU states support European shipbuilders. The move comes after more than 50,000 shipyard workers in Europe have lost their jobs and entire regions their industrial foundation since 2008.
The EU is urged to also systematically "explore new, additional areas of work and innovation as alternatives to the shipbuilding market characterised by over-capacity". In particular the EMF mentions marine engineering and the onshore and offshore wind industry as promising avenues for the shipbuilding industry, to develop the industrial structure in the shipbuilding and associated marine supply industry.
A new industrial strategy for shipbuilding should safeguard jobs and prevent industrial erosion - the disappearance of shipbuilding would mean the loss of an industrial pillar for entire regions and countries in Europe, for instance in Poland or Malta. The EU should also ensure that ‘Green Growth' pays off, by encouraging ship owners to order new environmentally friendly and energy-efficient ships, and dismantle or retrofit outdated ships.
Ship financing should be safeguarded in Europe, and there should be fair global competitive conditions.
Finally the EMF calls for safe and sustainable conditions when old ships are scrapped. The demand for scrapping of old and hazardous ships has increased because of sluggish growth and overcapacities in the maritime transport sector. This scrapping often occurs under precarious condition for workers and the environment. The EMF will, in close cooperation with the IMF, monitor these activities and call for action wherever universal worker's rights or environmental legislation is disregarded.
The IMF has a long record of fighting for the rights of workers in shipbreaking. For more information, see the IMF website. [Nov 30, 2011 – Rainer Santi]
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Workers Demand an End to Unfair Wage Differentials at Xstrata
The month long strike by members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) at Xstrata smelters in Rustenburg ended on November 25 with an agreement that a joint task team would investigate wage disparities and address these with immediate effect once the investigation is complete.
SOUTH AFRICA: The strike commenced on October 24, 2011 after negotiations which began in September 2011 deadlocked. Workers demands include a ten per cent wage increase across the board with the intention to close the existing wage disparities between Rustenburg plants and Lion Tubatse plant, a housing allowance of 3,500 rand and a reduction of the number of grades from eight to five.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) was unable to settle the case, leaving the union with no option but to exercise its right to strike. Irvin Jim, NUMSA General Secretary argues, "We strongly believe that these demands by workers can be achieved by Xstrata, given the fact that Xstrata has bloated millions in rewarding its executives. "
NUMSA says that the strike has been prolonged because Xstrata management has applied delaying tactics, straining industrial relations and deepen antagonism between management and the union. On November 15th, 2011, NUMSA members applied further pressure on the company, marching to Xstrata offices in Johannesburg and handing over a memorandum of demands from workers.
NUMSA has negotiated favourably on the wage and housing allowance demands and made other gains such as securing a fulltime health and safety representative. However the matter of wage disparities still needed to be resolved, in particular workers in Xstrata Lion plant, Mpumalanga, are getting higher wages than their counterparts in Rustenburg.
Xstrata explanations to NUMSA of the wage disparities are that the Lion plant in Mpumalanga is more productive than the Rustenburg plants and Lion is located in a remote area, requiring higher wages to be paid in some grades to attract skilled workers. Addressing workers gathered at the march in Johannesburg, NUMSA President, Cedric Gina said, "It is not our problem that workers in Mpumalanga are paid more because the Rustenburg plants are using advanced technology to produce ferrochrome. We want workers to be paid equally for the same quality work they do.”
In order to resolve the impasse, both parties agreed to an immediate investigation into the matter by a joint management and union team with the intention of ultimately establishing wage harmonisation in all plants. Workers today have accepted this as the way forward and the strike has been called off. [Nov 25, 2011 – Aisha Bahadur]
Philips Unions Go Global
Unions representing Philips workers decide to form a global network to work on labour issues in the company and its suppliers.
NETHERLANDS: On November 23 and 24 representatives from unions present in Philips and supplier companies met in the home country of Philips to discuss how to strengthen cooperation between themselves and to build a global trade union network. Hosted by FNV, as the home country union, and IMF, the meeting focused on concrete actions that could be taken by unions to ensure a continuing and sustainable exchange of information between the different trade unions on issues of concern to Philips workers.
Delegates from France, Belgium, Netherlands, Brazil, Philippines, Germany, Romania and Singapore shared information on the many issues facing Philips workers worldwide and discussed the role a trade union network could play in building trade union strength to confront them. A major issue that will continue to impact on workers for a considerable period is the gradual shift of production from incandescent lighting to LEDs. While the shift is inevitable, the speed and scale with which it will move is unpredictable so workers in Philips Lighting face a particularly uncertain future. Information from the Philips website which was prepared for investors but has not been discussed with trade unions shows that the company intends to reduce the number of Philips Lighting plants from 70 in 2011 to only 46 in 2015. Elsewhere in Philips outsourcing and divestments continue apace.
The meeting determined a number of initial objectives for the development of the network which start with establishing contacts with all unions present in Philips and starting an exchange of information. A description of the network’s aims will be developed and circulated widely within Philips. The meeting also discussed activities that could be conducted jointly once the network is more firmly established. These should include a focus on organizing the unorganized. [Nov 25, 2011 – Jenny Holdcroft]
Successful Negotiations in German Steelworks
Wage increases of 3,8 percent for 75,000 steelworkers, and permanent status for trainees. That is the result of negotiations between IG Metall and employers in the steel sector in the three German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Bremen.
GERMANY: The negotiations were concluded on November 21 in Düsseldorff, after IG Metall had called out members for extensive two-hour warning strikes involving tens of thousands of steelworkers.
"This result allows workers to share in the company's success. It shows that IG Metall has a reliable bargaining policy even in times of insecurity," said IG Metall president Berthold Huber.
Wage increases will go into effect on December 1, and the new agreement runs to the end of February 2013. Trainees will now as a rule acquire permanent status at the end of the training period. Exceptions have to be agreed with the Works Councils. Senior workers possibilities to work part time were renewed and improved - the employers contribution to pensions insurance was raised from 95 to 100 percent.
"Our many members, and their strong participation made this success possible, said Oliver Burkhard, IG Metall representative in North Rhine-Westphalia.
More information (in German) on the IG Metall website. [Nov 25, 2011 – Rainer Santi]
European Metalworkers in ArcelorMittal Mobilize on December 7
European metalworkers’ unions call on all workers employed by ArcelorMittal and its subcontractors to take part in a European solidarity action on December 7 to protest against plant closures, restructuring plans and job cuts in Europe’s leading steelmaker.
EUROPE: On 7 December, workers will be taking part in strikes and stoppages, demonstrations and assemblies at all ArcelorMittal locations throughout Europe. They will be protesting against the company's current strategy and in favour of alternative solutions that provide guarantees for the future development of the company and jobs.
Behind the action stand the 28 European metalworkers' unions with members in ArcelorMittal, assembled in the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF). They criticise ArcelorMittal for maintaining a policy to maximise short term profit and for 30,000 job cuts since 2006, lack of strategic investment and low R&D, poorly planned redundancies and unilateral decision-making.
Instead, they call for innovation and R&D, a policy to develop competence and human capital, consultations with the unions and using slack production periods to invest in training for employees and modernization.
The European trade unions promise to use all their power to ensure that steel remains at the core of an integrated and independent European industrial policy, including state intervention in the governance of the steel industry.
More information on the European Metalworker Federation website. [Nov 23, 2011 – Rainer Santi]
General Strike Hits Portugal on November 24
The General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP) is calling for a general strike on November 24, to protest against exploitation and impoverishment in Portugal in the wake of the financial crisis, and the demands of the International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank.
PORTUGAL: Workers in Portugal are confronted with an ever more severe austerity programme, unprecedented since the start of democracy in the country. It includes an increase of the weekly working time from 40 to 42,5 hours, cuts of the Christmas allowance for all workers in 2011 and of the holiday allowance for public and state workers - as well as all pensioners - for two years, further cuts in salaries and pensions, tax raises on consumption and work incomes, cuts in unemployment benefits, elimination of the family allowance, closures of public services and cuts in healthcare and education.
In addition, government and employers intend to eliminate core labour rights such as the prohibition of unfair dismissals, the right to collective bargaining, redundancy pay, social protection of the unemployed and working time regulation.
The announced measures risk to plunge the country even deeper in economic recession (the government admits that the economy may shrink by 3 percent in 2012), which increases the debt burden and starts a destructive cycle of austerity policies, recession and higher debt.
The union confederation calls for a different policy, including renegotiation of debts, deadlines and interest rates - to promote growth and jobs, enhancing the productive sector, and pay and pension rises, ensuring the protection and strengthening of the state social duties and public services, valuing work and dignifying the workers.
More information on the CGTP website. [Nov 23, 2011 – Rainer Santi]
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Metalworkers to Meet in Jakarta
360 representatives from IMF affiliates in 47 countries are on their way to IMF meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 5-8.
INDONESIA: The meeting sequence starts with the IMF Women’s Conference on Monday December 5. The IMF Executive Committee will meet December 6, and the IMF Central Committee meets December 7 and 8. The delegates will be welcomed by the IMF Indonesia affiliates Federation of Indonesian Metal Workers' Union (FSPMI) and Federation of Metal, Machine and Electronic Workers (Lomenik-SBSI).
The main issues for discussion concern the implementation of the IMF’s Action Programme 2009-2013 with focus on trade union rights, trade union networks and building stronger unions. There will also be a panel on precarious work and social security – an area where the Indonesian unions recently won a landmark victory.
The union representatives will then discuss the creation of a new global union federation for workers in the manufacturing industries, and a new global unionism, and decide on an extraordinary congress on June 18-20, 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
It is rainy season in Indonesia, so the delegates are encouraged to bring an umbrella. In December, temperatures vary from 22 to 34° C with an average of 19 wet days and 80 per cent humidity. More on the peculiarities of the country, hotels and conditions, read the practical information guide.
Find all photos here at Flickr. : [Nov 22, 2011 – Rainer Santi]
