ITUC e-news September 2014

ITUC e-news is produced by the International Trade Union Confederation. 
For more information on ITUC click here to visit their website.



First Week of September: “Week of Action” to Defend the Right to Strike

It is particularly important that governments represented on the ILO Governing body, either as a titular or deputy member, are directly requested to support the referral of the dispute of the right to strike to the International Court of Justice.

Governing Body Support for the ILO Supervisory System, click here.

Modalities, scope and cost of action under article 37 (paragraphs 1 and 2) of the ILO Constitution, clilck here.

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October 7 – World Day for Decent Work 2014

Justice for Workers – Climate Justice.

The world is on an unsustainable path. Vast numbers of working people face insecurity in their jobs and the highest levels of inequality in living memory. One half of working families have experienced unemployment or reduced working hours in the past two years, while 1.2 billion people still live in extreme poverty.

Basic rights to union representation and collective bargaining are under threat in many countries and under direct attack in others. Employers are even trying to undermine the right to strike, by challenging decades of legal recognition for this most fundamental right at the ILO.

Too many governments are failing to protect working people today, and failing to build a sustainable future for the generations to come. Catastrophic weather events caused by climate change are already ruining lives and livelihoods, yet political leaders have still to find the courage to make a global climate agreement. There are no jobs on a dead planet, but when governments do act to reduce carbon pollution and equip the communities and industries for the climate challenges to come, many more jobs will be created.

The dominant global economic model is destroying jobs and the planet. This weakens democracy and undermines justice for all. The world’s trade unions are the most potent force to defend democracy and fight for justice and a sustainable future. On October 7 – the World Day for Decent Work, unions across the planet will be holding rallies, workplace activities, public actions and a multitude of other events, in support of justice for workers and climate justice.

Together we can build workers’ power, organising and mobilising to hold politicians and business to account, and to transform the failing economic system of today to one that delivers prosperity for all on a sustainable planet.

Sharan Burrow
General Secretary
ITUC

To upload information about your October 7 events, please go to the World Day for Decent Work website, http://www.wddw.org

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Call for UN Support – Gaza

While a Gaza ceasefire has been agreed, a negotiated and just settlement to the conflict remains far from reach. The international community needs to increase pressure for a permanent end to the contlict and a solution as set out in the ITUC Berlin Congress statement. Please ask your members to support our call on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

ITUC Call to Action on Gaza / Thousands of postcards for peace to be delivered to UN Secretary-General 

The ITUC is horrified by the appalling death toll of civilians in Gaza

Schools, hospitals and the only power station have been bombed, drawing heavy condemnation from the United Nations, several of whose personnel have also lost their lives. The targeting of civilians is against international law and the UN has called for accountability and justice.

“The only solution is a permanent cease-fire with the intervention of the international community to force the parties to the table to conclude a negotiated settlement that ends the blockade of Gaza and the occupation of Palestine. The people of Israel and the people of Palestine will only be assured of a peaceful and secure future with a two-state solution, where all people can live in peace and security and build a future for themselves and their children,” said Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the ITUC.

The ITUC is calling on governments to intervene and support a five-point plan for peace:

  1. A permanent cease-fire;
  2. Humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza;
  3. The immediate suspension of all transfers of weapons, munitions and other military equipment and technology being used against civilians;
  4. An end of the blockade of Gaza;
  5. A negotiated settlement to bring about a two-state solution with the legitimacy of international law.

The ITUC is calling on affiliates and trade union members to make a commitment to peace and send a postcard to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to show that he has our support to deliver peace.

To take part in the ITUC postcard campaign, go to the website and use a PC or mobile device to send a real postcard which will be delivered to the UN Secretary-General in New York with your personal message and photo.

The photo can show your personal experience of peace, and you can send a message about what you want for the people of Palestine and Israel and call on the UN Secretary-General to protect the people of Gaza and deliver a permanent peace. This website will go live Thursday August 7th.

Affiliates can also make urgent financial contributions to the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s (ITF) humanitarian relief initiative for Gaza, by clicking here

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Somalia: Detention of 19 Journalists

The ITUC has strongly backed a protest by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) over the Somali government’s detention of 19 journalists and the closure of independent radio stations.

The ITUC has strongly backed a protest by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) over the Somali government’s detention of 19 journalists and the closure of independent radio stations. According to witnesses, three of the journalists were severely beaten in detention. The ITUC understands that a court has now extended the detention period of the three to 21 days.

According to witnesses, three of the journalists were severely beaten in detention. The ITUC understands that a court has now extended the detention period of the three to 21 days.

“Media workers in Somalia have been subjected to attacks, threats and intimidation from Al-Shabaab militants and they are now facing repression from the state itself. The Somali government should be standing up for freedom of the press, rather than shutting down independent media and detaining and beating journalists.

Media workers in many countries and conflict zones are facing intimidation, and tragically some are paying with their lives. Somalia can only move forward on the path of democracy if freedom of the press is guaranteed,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

Click here to read the IFJ statement.

For more information click here: National Union of Somalia Journalists

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UN Climate Summit and People’s Climate March, September New York

As a part of building momemtum ahead of next year’s critical UN climate negotiations in Paris where a global deal will be agreed, the UN is holding a one-day Climate Summit, during the Generl Assembly meetings, on 23 September with heads of state, invited stakeholders including business and civil society leaders.

The intention is to raise the profile of climate and the need for commitments from governments and all levels of society. The ITUC is not planning an international delegation to the Summit but Sharan Burrow will speak at one of the Summit’s sessions on “Climate, Health and Jobs”. The Summit is not to negotiate positions, but the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon is hoping for new announcements that will create momentum and confidence to achieve an ambitious agreement at the UNFCCC in 2015.

Many other events will be held in New York around the Summit. On 21 September, a cross section of civil society groups are organizing a march in New York city and other events are being organized in other cities around the world. The current list of events can be found by clicking here. This culmination of events is being described as “the largest climate march in history”. The call is “actions not words – a world with an economy that works for people and the planet; a world safe from the ravages of climate change; a world with good jobs, clean air and water, and healthy communities.”

If you plan to send members to events in New York or are involved in organizing events in your country, please inform ITUC at: info@ituc-csi.org

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Quote
 
“Together we can build workers’ power, organising and mobilising to hold politicians and business to account, and to transform the failing economic system of today to one that delivers prosperity for all on a sustainable planet.”

– Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary –

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