PhD Scholarships at International Centre for Development and Decent Work

GLOBAL: The newly founded International Center for Development and Decent Work, which was established in cooperation with the Global Labour University www.global-labour-university.org and the International Labour Organization, is offering 20 PhD Scholarships.

ICDD is an interdisciplinary and international scientific network of excellence with the head office located at the University of Kassel, Germany and partner universities in Latin America, Africa and Asia. The PhD school is organised around three research clusters:

The course will commence on March 1, 2010 and the deadline for applications is November 15, 2009.

For details and an application form see:

http://www.global-labour-university.org/fileadmin/download/ICDD_Graduate_School_Call_for_Applications.pdf

IMF to mainstream organizing non-manual workers

GERMANY: Around 50 union representatives from IMF affiliates in Australia, Europe, Japan, North America and Singapore met at IG Metall headquarters on October 29-30, 2009 to discuss organising tools and strategies for non-manual workers against the backdrop of the global crisis. 

In a key note presentation on structural developments in the metal industry, Professor Volker Wittke from the University of Göttingen highlighted the continuous shift from manual to non-manual work taking place within industry driven by automation, technological innovation, the demand for new products and services, and globalization.  

All these changes have a major impact on the composition of the workforce in core sectors of the metal industry, on skill requirements, work organisation and working conditions, in particular a significant increase in workload and work intensification.   Although the crisis alone was not a sufficient reason for non-manual workers to join a union, Dr. Heiner Dribbusch from the Hans-Böckler Foundation pointed out that unions could take advantage of opportunities to demonstrate their relevance, their effectiveness and the benefits of collective action at this time.   

Helga Schwitzer, IG Metall Executive Board, noted that this year 13,000 non-manual workers had joined IG Metall , representing a 2.4 per cent increase over the preceding year whereas overall membership had dropped by about one per cent.  Representatives from other countries reported similar developments in their own organisations, arguing that these workers no longer felt immune from restructuring and cost-cutting plans and they were mobilising for the defence of their rights more and more.   

The seminar was structured around four panel discussions:  reaching out to young people; organising ICT workers and self-employed; organising engineers and professionals; and building solidarity between manual and non-manual workers.  The presentations on organising strategies in various countries gave rise to lively discussions and an in-depth exchange of views and experience on the problems and challenges facing affiliates in organising non-manual workers.   

The main points of the discussions, as summarised by IMF General Secretary Jyrki Raina, provided some ideas about future work:

Key topics highlighted by the meeting for ongoing exchange include:

Copies of presentations delivered at the meeting will be published on the IMF website.

IMF and EMF call for financial solidarity for Turkish metalworkers

TURKEY: The situation is growing dire for some 350 Sinter Metal workers in Turkey who have been fighting for their reinstatement since December 2008 after being fired for joining the union, Birlesik Metal-IS, an affiliate of the International Metalworkers’ Federation and European Metalworkers’ Federation.

Workers have persevered in front of the company gates for almost a year. Unemployment insurance and healthcare benefits have run out as of June, and many families have been forced to sell handicrafts and small goods to survive.

Their fight is symbolic of many trade union struggles in Turkey where workers attempting to organise a union all too often face retaliation through unjust dismissals, abuse and violence. Birlesik Metal-IS has made the Sinter Metal case a priority as it is the largest industrial dispute in Turkey’s massive Dudulu Organised Industrial Zone in the last 20 years. A victory at Sinter Metal will be a victory for all workers in Turkey.

The IMF and EMF have both made donations to this important and strategic fight. Our financial assistance will help keep the struggle alive and provide some relief for basic living costs to the 350 Birlesik Metal-IS members out of work since December. To provide union members and labour activists the opportunity to contribute to this effort, the IMF has set up a Pay Pal account on the IMF website to accept small donations online. For larger donations (over $200 USD) please send it directly to Birlesik Metal-IS as Pay Pal administers a service charge.

Birlesik Metal-IS bank details:

ACCOUNT HOLDER: Birlesik Metal-IS
SWIFT CODE: YAPITRIS – 072
IBAN NO: TR 48000 6701 000 00 00 60824151
BANK ADDRESS: Yapi Ve Kredi Bankasi A.S.
Bayar caddesi
Sehit Fatih Mehmet Ongul Sokak
No 1 Kadikoy, Instanbul, TURKEY 

Since launching a joint solidarity campaign in March 2009, the IMF and EMF has repeatedly called on Sinter Metal to immediately reinstate unjustly dismissed workers, stop violations of basic labour rights, and start negotiations with the union.

Campaign information can be found at: www.imfmetal.org/SinterMetal.

French metalworkers detained at U.S. airport for union activity

USA: Two French trade unionists from the Fédération des Travailleurs de la Métallurgie (CGT), an affiliate of the International Metalworkers’ Federation, were held by U.S. immigration officers at Chicago’s O’Hare airport on October 29 and questioned about their involvement in a protest at the French operations of U.S.-based company, Molex Incorporated.

The two unionists, who were detained for four hours, were part of a delegation of CGT members who travelled to Chicago to take part in an action at the company’s shareholder meeting on October 30. Chicago unions contacted local U.S. Congressional offices calling for their release.

Molex, an electronics parts manufacturer which supplies products to major car manufacturing companies, announced on October 23, 2008 that it would close its Villemur plant and lay off 283 workers. The company has repeatedly refused to disclose financial information to worker representatives, a violation of French labour law, and has illegally locked-out workers and refused to pay employees’ wages and bonuses owed since August 6, 2009.

The CGT, who represents Molex workers in France, is calling on the company to adhere to French law and keep its commitment to work with the trade union to preserve jobs and respect basic labour rights and worker protections.

The French metalworkers were joined by some 80 trade unionists from Chicago-area unions including the United Steelworkers (USW), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), Workers United/SEIU, United Electrical Workers (UE), AFL-CIO, and Jobs with Justice. Despite having valid proxies, CGT members and a representative from the AFL-CIO were denied access to the shareholders’ meeting.

In a letter sent to Molex management in France prior to the shareholders’ action, IMF general secretary Jyrki Raina urged the company to respect rule of law and its commitments to French workers. "Should Molex Incorporated continue to blatantly violate French labour law, undermine the rights of its workers and fail to work with the French government and French unions to reach a fair and just resolution, the IMF will pursue global action and use our influence with Molex customers to refuse your products," he warned.

Tenaris workers getting stronger

ITALY: The Tenaris Workers’ World Council met in Bergamo, Italy from October 28 to 30. Union representatives from six countries took part and recommitted themselves to their struggle to get the council recognized by company management. During the meeting the council took the decision to show solidarity to the Tenaris workers in Italy that are confronted by management plans to shed 1,024 jobs and close plants.

With this in mind the council took the decision to deliver a letter to Tenaris management at the Dalmine plant. However the company refused to accept the letter from the council, provoking an in situ demonstration by the members of the council, an event which was widely covered by local media (the meeting and demonstration was held in front of the local plant).

In addition to the protest the council held a discussion and approved a 2009-2010 action plan. The plan will start with an international day of action in all plants during the week of November 23, 2009. The plan of action also includes a delegation to Colombia to show support to SINTRATUCAR and to ensure the safety of its leaders.

Rob Johnston, IMF Executive Director of Industrial and TNC Policies said at the conclusion of the meeting, "We will not allow this company to continue to trample on workers and their aspirations. We are resolved to negotiate an International Framework Agreement and work to improve health and safety and working conditions in this company. Senior management seems to believe if they hide we will go away, but every time the council meets it gets stronger and so do our demands."

Fair Deal NOW: Justice at Vale

3500 USW members in Sudbury and Port Colborne, Canada have been on strike since 13 July after the company would only accept to renew their collective agreement if workers agreed to a drastic reduction in conditions and increased job insecurity. Despite having made US$13.2 billion profit last year, Vale is insisting on creating a two-tiered pension plan, slashing the nickel bonus and seriously damaging seniority rights, while bringing in replacement workers to continue production. USW members at Voisey’s Bay joined the strike on 1 August.

Vale workers face similar struggles in other parts of the world. In  Brazil, workers are fighting for basic labour rights, a living wage, and minimum standards for safe working conditions. 

If Vale is successful in taking away rights from workers in Canada and Brazil, it will encourage the company to take the same approach around the globe.

From Germany and Sweden to Korea, New Caledonia to Indonesia and Mozambique, unions around the world are calling on Vale to make a Fair Deal NOW and respect basic labour rights at all of its operations around the world.

GM and Chrysler bosses face pay cut

USA: General Motors and Chrysler top executives will have to review their remuneration schemes and see their salaries decreased by 90 per cent on average.

The U.S. Government, following its decision on bailing out seven flagships of the American economy, decided to impose slashes in the salaries of the companies’ top executives. The move, according to the plan developed by Kenneth Feinberg, U.S. Treasury Department attorney charged to oversee spending in the bailed-out companies, will touch upon around 170 executives in seven companies and banks still receiving American tax-payer money.

Feinberg suggested to cut top executive base salaries by 90  per cent and to leave them with only half of other forms of compensation.

The decision will also concern Chrysler Financial and GMAC Financial services, financial arms of both corporations.

SRI LANKA

Jathika Sewaka Sangamaya Metalworkers’ Federation (JSSMF)

On September 24, the JSSMF conducted a press conference at Nippon Hotel in Colombo on explained to the press representatives about Precarious Work Campaign and Decent Work Campaign. The union also explained its Living Wage Campaign to the media.

On September 26, the JSSMF held a program on training trainers to brush up their knowledge on how to conduct awareness programs to workers on living wage. A component on precarious work was included in the program.

On October 4, the scheduled finals of the six-a-side cricket and softball tournament among EPZ workers had to be postponed due to bad weather. This tournament is held to promote organizing. Instead, on October 8, finals were held at the Katunayake FTZ ground. Altogether 30 teams participated in the tournament.

A campaign meeting was held at Biygama FTZ premises on October 11. IMF South Asian Office Regional Director Bro. Sudharshan Rao Sarde was the main speaker.

JAPAN

IMF-JC

Together with the JTUC-RENGO (Japan Trade Union Confederation) and Council of Affiliates of the other GUFs in Japan, IMF-JC joined the general meeting and mass-rally on Friday, October 16, 2009. The general meeting was held at the Open Air Music Hall at Hibiya Park. The meeting and rally corresponded to ITUC’s World Day for Decent Work and IMF and other GUFs’ Action Day against Precarious Work.

LINK TO FULL REPORT

2009 Decent Work Rally
Demanding Humane Work for All People
Collaborative effort by RENGO, RENGO Tokyo, and GUF Japan Councils

INDIA

The Working People Trade Union Council (WPTUC) &

Simpson and Group Companies Workers & Staff Union (SGCWSU)

WPTUC and SGCWSU jointly organized the following activities from October 3-9, 2009 at Chennai:

•        Wearing badges during the week by the members of WPTUC & SGCWSU.

•        Pasting of wall posters in front of all factories and in industrial areas

•        Distribution of leaflets

•        Slogan shouting everyday at all factories gates

•        A gate meeting was held October 8 in Sembiam (Industrial Area), Chennai.

Steel, Metal & Engineering workers’ Federation of India (SMEFI)

In Maharashtra:

•        On October 4 a mammoth demonstration of workers followed by a meeting was held in Darukhana (shipbreaking work site), Mumbai.  

•        SMEFI leaders submitted a memorandum to Central Labour Minister and State Labour Minister against Precarious Work and Violation of Labour Rights.

In Andhra Pradesh:

•        SMEFI -AP affiliate conducted a rally and submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner of Labour, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

•        On October 9 and 10, 2009 affiliates conducted protest meetings, rallies and demonstrations in Hyderabad and various industrial areas.

In Orissa:

•        Affiliates conducted rallies, demonstrations and public meetings in various places i.e. Rourkela, Paradeep Port  and port-based industrial areas from October 4 until October 10, 2009.