GLOBAL:  To reach broader audiences and promote trade union capacity of communicating through film, the International Metalworkers’ Federation, International Trade Union Confederation and other Global Union Federations are hosting a Night of Labour Film Shorts in Geneva on 1 May 2008 at the Grutli Theatre. The same or similar programme of labour film shorts will also be shown on a virtual space online.

Trade unions are increasingly using video to communicate directly with members or to broader audiences through avenues such as YouTube. To highlight the importance of this way of communicating with union members and other audiences, such as youth, the programme will focus on films that are excellent examples of communicating labour stories. A full-length feature documentary or film will also be shown.

IMF affiliates are invited to send copies of their films on DVD by 31 March 2008 with a short paragraph describing the film. The IMF will accept films in all languages for internet selection, however only English, French or Spanish language or subtitled films will be included in the Geneva showing.

If you would like to know more, please contact Kristyne Peter ([email protected]).

GLOBAL:  A report commissioned by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), The Global Gender Pay Gap, reveals that worldwide the gender pay gap is stuck at 16 per cent, meaning that on average women are paid 16 per cent less than their male counterparts.  Its analysis of official statistics from 63 countries reveals that while the gap is slowly narrowing in some countries, it is not changing or is even increasing in others.

Indeed the gender pay gap is likely to be even bigger than reported since information on incomes is not available for the hundreds of millions of informal workers and the different methods of gathering national statistics lead to large information deficits.

The report does show that collective bargaining by trade unions leads to greater equality between men’s and women’s salaries.  “Despite decades of anti-discrimination legislation and changes in company rhetoric, the pay packets of women, whether they are in New York or Shanghai, are still significantly thinner than those of men. The positive news for workers around the world is that trade unions are succeeding in bridging the pay divide, as the data in this report confirms. Through collective bargaining, women and men get a better and more equal deal,” said ITUC President Sharan Burrow.

The ILO has also launched a report, Global Employment Trends for Women 2008.  The report shows that while women are entering the paid workforce in ever greater numbers, the jobs they get into are more likely to be low-paid and vulnerable, with no social protection or basic rights.

The report points out the importance of access to decent and productive employment for women in creating greater gender equality and draws a clear link between economic growth and high rates of women’s employment coupled with smaller gender gaps in sectoral and employment status distribution.  It concludes that most regions have still a long way to go in achieving full economic integration of women and realizing their untapped potential for economic development.

ITUC: The Global Gender Pay Gap http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article1880
ILO: Global Employment Trends for Women http://www.ilo.org/global/lang–en/docName–WCMS_091225/index.htm

Each year International Women’s Day causes us to reflect on what has changed for working women since the previous year.  Have their pay and conditions improved?  Are they better represented in unions?  Have things really improved?  And each year it is difficult to appreciate progress as we see that women are still disadvantaged at work and are yet to be adequately represented by trade unions.

That is why it is important to focus on the advances that have been made, although they may be small and not necessarily visible from year to year.  Over the last five years, IMF and its affiliates in Latin America have made particular efforts towards improving women’s position in their trade unions.  Some of the people who have been involved in these IMF activities have now been asked whether or not they believe that there has been any resulting change in the culture of their trade unions, whether the focus on improving the representation of women has influenced the way the unions operate and attitudes within the structures.

Why should it be important to consider whether there has been a cultural (or organisational) change?  Because without such a change, progress in recruiting women members and electing them into leadership positions can be extremely fragile.  All it takes is for one elected women leader to leave her position, or a factory employing a majority of women union members to close down, for the status of women within a union to take a backward step.  But where there is genuine cultural change, and unions have adapted their structures and practices to be relevant to women and their needs, then progress towards a better representation of women is sustainable.

Certainly these are subjective questions, which may elicit different responses depending on personal experiences.  Yet it is important to take a step back and consider over a longer timeframe whether progress has been made and if we are on the right track.  When dealing with cultural change, perceptions can be just as important an indicator as information on membership numbers and statistics on the percentage of women in leadership positions.

Responses from those who contributed to the analysis were mixed.  In cases where efforts made at the regional level built on work that had already been done in the unions to increase the number of women in leadership positions, for example, results were generally better. 

Progress was also reported in unions that have recognised the need to appeal to women workers in order to increase union organisation in industries where many women work, for example the export processing zones.  In these cases, women inside the union have been influential in changing attitudes to organising and the need for equality in leadership positions.

However in unions where women have yet to find their voice, there has been little perceivable change in the way the unions operate.  It is clear that women play a vital role in pushing for cultural change within their unions, and if they are not given the chance to make themselves heard, there is very little chance that such unions will become more representative of, or relevant to, women workers.

So this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate those women who are striving to transform their unions and helping ensure that future generations of women workers will have the chance to join organisations that recognise gender equality and are capable of responding to their needs.

 

GLOBAL: Trade unions, in particular from developing countries, have been campaigning on the NAMA negotiations since the Hong Kong Ministerial. Concrete demands have been made by the unions for a balanced outcome of the negotiations, but so far proposals on the table have not taken into account the concerns of the trade unions and their governments. On the contrary, the proposals would lead to very high (60% on average) cuts in the bound tariffs of developing countries therefore restricting policy space and the ability of developing countries to develop their industries. Moreover, these proposals of 60% cuts would also reduce the applied tariffs in many sectors, including the metalsector, of developing countries which will directly have an impact on domestic production and employment.
 
Developing country trade unions have come together in the NAMA 11 trade union group, with trade unions from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and India a.o., to defend their industries and future industrial development. They are not prepared to trade off industrial jobs against more agriculture exports, as both sectors are important for the development of their economies.

The negotiations are now entering a crucial phase. A second modalities text was tabled recently, which still proposes high tariff cuts. New proposals on flexibilities that came out last week are unlikely to change the level of ambition that is currently on the table and would therefore do little to accommodate the trade union concerns. A strong push to finalize negotiations this year and to get modalities on NAMA and Agriculture this spring will put pressure on countries to negotiate on the basis of the current proposals. Ministers will be called upon to negotiate this final deal. However, what is on the table will require developing countries to sacrifice their industries.

The proposals are unfair and put the burden of adjustment on developing countries. They do not take into account any of the trade union concerns or proposals regarding the coefficient and flexibilities. Nor do they take into account the need for fundamental workers and trade union rights to be incorporated for trade to produce productive employment and sustainable development. Now is the time to mobilize against the draft modalities and to campaign for the trade union proposals to be taken on board.

COLOMBIA: Members of the Sintracerromatoso union at the nickel mine operated by Cerro Matoso, a subsidiary of the multinational company, BHP Billiton, have begun a strike after negotiations failed to produce an agreement with the company. Two weeks ago, Utramicol, an IMF affiliate, reported on the situation of the Cerro Matoso workers, who had indicated then that there had been no significant progress in negotiations because of the company’s intransigence. The union is demanding improved contracts and is especially concerned about the temporary employment contracts used by the company. The union insists that the company signs open-ended employment contracts with workers currently employed on temporary contracts. It also rejects the company’s proposal to increase the length of the contract from two to four years. Historically, the contract has always been for two years. Approximately 3,500 workers are on strike. Roger Herrera, union president said: “The company only has 1,000 directly employed workers. The other 2,500 are temporary workers and this means the company can avoid recognising their basic employment rights.”

USA: New three-year collective agreements reached by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers with Lockheed Martin this week, secures 6,000 aerospace workers with record pay increases and significant improvements in pension benefits.

The agreements, which were ratified by a majority of IAM members at eight Lockheed facilities through the U.S. on March 2, includes a US$2,000 ratification bonus in addition to wage increases of four per cent in the first year and three per cent in the second and third years.

The agreements also increase the pension benefit by $11 to $77 a month, giving IAM members the highest pension in the U.S. aerospace industry. Improvements in healthcare coverage insurance benefits and other retirement benefits are also included.

“Aerospace firms like Lockheed Martin are posting big profits and this agreement recognizes the key role our members play in making these profits possible,” said IAM international president Tom Buffenbarger. “And at a time when American corporation are jettisoning pension plans, we improved defined-pension benefits and ensured newly hires workers will be covered.”

In honour of May Day, the international labour movement is hosting A Night of Labour Film Shorts at the Grütli Theatre, Rue du General-Dufour 16, Geneva on May 1 from 19h00 to 22h00.

The event will feature labour films and videos submitted by unions from around the world representing workers in many different industries. The films will focus on key issues facing trade unions and workers, including equal pay, globalisation, precarious work and workers’ rights. There will be a brief discussion with filmmakers following the show.

Admission is free, however we ask that individuals please RSVP by April 28 to ensure available seating, call +41 22 308 5050 or email: [email protected].

Please click here for a complete programme and listing of films featured at the event.

This event is supported by:

Building and Wood
Workers’ International (BWI)
54 route des Acacias
CH-1227 Carouge GE Switzerland
[email protected]
www.bwint.org


Education International (EI)
International Trade Union House
5 Bld. du Roi Albert II
1210 Brussels Belgium
[email protected]
www.ei-ie.org


International Federation of Chemical, Energy,
Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM)
54bis route des Acacias
CH-1227 Carouge GE Switzerland
[email protected]
www.icem.org


International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
International Press Centre Résidence Palace, Block C
155 Rue de la Loi B1040
Brussels Belgium
[email protected]
www.ifj.org


International Textile Garment and Leather
Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF)
8 rue Joseph Stevens
1000 Brussels Belgium
[email protected]
www.itglwf.org


International Transport
Workers’ Federation (ITF)
ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road
London SE1 1DR England
[email protected]
www.itfglobal.org


International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF)
8 Rampe du Pont Rouge,
Petit Lancy,
CH-1213
Geneva, Switzerland
[email protected]
www.iuf.org


Public Services International (PSI)
45 avenue Voltaire, BP 9
01211 Ferney-Voltaire
Cedex France
[email protected]
www.world-psi.org


UNI Global Union
Av. Reverdil 8-10
1260 Nyon
                  Switzerland
[email protected]
www.uniglobalunion.org


International Trade Union Confederation
ITUC-CSI
5 Boulevard du Roi Albert II
Bte 1 1210
Brussels
Belgium
[email protected]
www.ituc-csi.org

International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF)
54 bis, route des Acacias
Case Postale 1516
CH-1227 Geneva Switzerland
[email protected]

PERU:  The National Women Miners’ Central (Central Nacional de la Mujer Minera — CNMM) has reported that two contract workers employed at the Casapalca Mining Company suffered an accident at the workplace, on Wednesday February 27. It is not known whether they are alive or dead, their state of health if alive or to where they have been taken.

According to the Central’s sources, the workers were put in the back room of a cheap hotel, on the main road, near the mining company’s offices. Both were wearing work clothes and showed no signs of life. They were under the guard of the mining company’s security and social service staff.

The sources said the company has indicated that the workers were not working in the mine but were on their way from the mining area of Morococha. The company has refused to provide more information, such as the identity of the miners and their present location.

The CNMM has asked the Peruvian government, specifically the Ministry of Energy and Mines, to make a detailed investigation of this tragedy and to make an announcement about whether the workers are alive or dead, their names, whereabouts, the causes of the accident and the mining company’s responsibility in the matter.

The Casapalca mine produces silver, zinc, lead and copper and is located in the Lima hills, more than 3,800 metres above sea level.

TURKEY: Seventy Turkish shipyard workers were arrested today after participating in a sit-down strike to protest the horrendous working conditions in the Tuzla shipyard where 18 fellow workers have been killed in the last seven months.

The President and the General Secretary of Limter-İş, the union representing the shipyard workers, were among those arrested.

In a statement released to the press the union pointed out that the precarisation of shipyard jobs is largely to blame for the increasingly dangerous conditions on the job. “Neither our jobs nor our lives are safe…They say they will find a solution, but they do not. Laws are allowing the chaos, the subcontracting, the flexible employment, the exploitation and the employment of unregistered workers,” the union said.

“Either these laws will be changed: the subcontracting system will be abolished, bosses who employ workers without paying their social security contributions and without taking measures for a safe working environment will be punished, or the deaths will continue.”

The demands Limter-İş has put forward include:

• Workers should work no more than 7.5 hours a day, and this needs to be implemented urgently.
• The main employer must pay full social security contributions for workers.
• The payment of wages must be guaranteed by the main employer.
• There must be hygienic housing for workers, as well as changing rooms and food which is adequate for the physical work the workers do.
• Social rights, including tea breaks at 10 am and 3pm, need to be respected.
• All shipyards must allow the possibility for workers to organise representatives.

Istanbul’s Tuzla district hosts 95 percent of the country's private-owned shipyards, where subcontracting and precarious work is becoming the standard. According to the union, there are around 1,000 subcontractor firms in Tuzla's shipyards, making union organising, safety regulation, and the enforcement of basic workers’ rights and protections near impossible.

Limter-İş is working to get collective bargaining rights on behalf of subcontracted workers. The union is pressing for main shipyard firms to pay the social insurance premiums of subcontracted workers and to enforce the required security measures themselves rather than leaving it to the subcontractors.

COLOMBIA: IMF affiliate UTRAMICOL reports that the SINTRACERROMATOSO union has unanimously voted for a strike at the Cerro Matoso company, which is owned by the multinational BHP BILLITON. The union explained it has not been able to make progress in negotiations with Cerro Matoso, even though the company has had good financial results over the last five years. Company income has increased. For example, there was a 63 per cent increase in operating income in the first half of 2007, compared to the second half of 2006. Moreover, the company has benefited from trends in the world nickel market, and the expected sustained high demand and high prices mean prospects are good, said the union. The union added that “the costs of ferronickel production and processing in the financial year 2007 were only 18 per cent of operating income and administrative costs represented only six per cent of operating income, making a total of 24 per cent; moreover, these costs have been gradually falling since 2003.” “The list of demands presented to Cerro Matoso contains a claim for a 62 per cent pay rise, a percentage increase that is equivalent to 1.1 per cent of the company’s operating income in 2007. So if the company accepts the demands as they stand, wages will represent 2.8 per cent of operating income,” said the union. SINTRACERROMATOSO gave assurances that, “the main focus of negotiations is not pay, despite the millions of profits earned by the multinational. The main focus is the situation of more than 2,500 contract workers employed on tasks that form part of the company’s legally defined corporate purpose. The poor living and working conditions of these workers would substantially improve if they were employed directly by the company, and this would also benefit the whole population of Montelibano — Córdoba.” The IMF Regional Office has sent a message of solidarity to colleagues at UTRAMICOL, in this new struggle to defend workers’ rights and hopes for a quick solution that is satisfactory for the workers.