USA: Negotiations for a new contract with Boeing resulted in the company proposing to extend the current contract to September 2016, with some changes in certain areas. This approach delivered a huge improvement in job security, which was the number one issue raised by IAM members for the negotiations. When the proposed agreement was put to the vote, it was endorsed by 74 per cent of union members.

The extended contract includes some sharing in the increases in health care costs by employees, but makes gains in the areas of job security, pensions and wages, issues that were of most concern to members. Wages will increase by 2 per cent each year of the contract, a new program will pay bonuses from 2 to 4 per cent of annual gross pay and pensions will increase and will be preserved for new hires.

Job security has significantly improved as a result of the agreement. In it, Boeing has made an unprecedented commitment to 737Max and related manufacturing in Puget Sound and Portland, as well as other programs.

Commenting on the successful vote, IAM President Tom Buffenbarger said, ‘"The vote today is a clear demonstration of our members approval of industry leading language on job security, wages and benefits. It also represents a new and dynamic era in our relationship with the Boeing company."

USA: Negotiations started well before the existing agreement expired on October 31, but no consensus could be reached. "The negotiations have been hindered considerably by Cooper’s behaviour at the bargaining table and the company’s determination to instigate a labour dispute," said USW District 1 sub-director Patrick Gallagher.
 
On November 27 workers in Findlay rejected a three-year proposal from the company by a vote of 606 to 305, and instead offered to extend the previous agreement. The company instead imposed its lockout.

The company had earlier offered to extend the expired contract for an additional year with no change in terms. USW agreed to an extension for 30 days while negotiations toward a new labour contract proceeded. Cooper however refused, saying that it would have placed the agreements at two of Cooper’s major US facilities, in Findlay and in Texarkana, too close together. The collective agreement for the 1,500 employees at the Texarkana plant expires in the beginning of 2012, and the workers have already voted to give union leaders a strike mandate.

The centerpiece to the USW charges with the NLRB is the company’s demand that bargaining unit members ratify a contract lacking the full details of an incentive plan that could result in major wage cuts. Cooper has insisted that its incomplete proposal is accepted, ratified and implemented before necessary studies are finalized. Workers would have to vote on a proposal not knowing if their wages were increasing or decreasing and by what amounts.

Other charges are that the company refuses to bargain by conditioning continuation of talks on the union moving from its current negotiating position; falsely declaring impasse; disparaging the union in meetings with bargaining unit members; and unilaterally changing conditions of employment by cancelling scheduled work and extending the Thanksgiving holiday shutdown until the lockout began on November 29.

The unfair practices also include the lockout itself and its continuation in support of a bargaining position tainted by the illegal labour practices cited in the charges.

Cooper Tire and Rubber has manufacturing facilities in four states in the USA and in England, Mexico and China. In 2010, Cooper Tire reported revenues of 3.4 billion US dollars, and the company employs nearly 13,000 people around the world. The Findlay facility is profitable.

INDONESIA: Almost 300 delegates from 76 unions from around the world joined together on December 7 and 8 in Jakarta, Indonesia at the IMF Central Committee meeting to assess progress and effectiveness of the IMF in advancing trade union rights and combating precarious work. The Central Committee also debated on the creation of the new global union that will combine the efforts of the IMF, the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM) and the International Textiles Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF).

During the first day discussions at the meeting were organized around the following major themes: the implementation of the IMF Action Program 2009-2013 with focus on trade union rights, union TNCs networks and building stronger unions, and precarious work and social security.

In reviewing the Action Program delegates heard about the most important struggles for trade union rights in the last two years including in Mexico, Turkey, Korea and Colombia. The importance of continuing to develop and create union networks in TNCs was noted as an important tool for a quick and effective reaction towards emerging rights’ violations. IMF’s strategy for building stronger unions  including regular exchange of information proved to be an effective way to reinforce affiliates across the world.

On precarious work and social security the Central Committee heard that, earlier this year, after a long struggle to reform the social security system in Indonesia, a coalition of trade unions and non-governmental organisations called Social Security Action Committee (KAJS) led by IMF affiliate the Federasi Serikat Pekerja Metal Indonesia (FSPMI), succeeded in legal redress for social security protection for workers in the formal and informal sector.

However, the campaign is not over as lamentation of the court decision will occur over three years. To support the campaign for social security protection for precariously employed workers in Indonesia IMF urged Central Committee delegates to sign thematic post cards addressed to the Indonesian Ministry of Labour.

Wahyu Andrawati, head of the department of wages and social security at the Indonesian Ministry of Labour attended the conference and welcomed the IMF Central Committee participants.

The delegates were also welcomed by the powerful voice and songs of FSPMI’s choir of activists and by the Shakila entertainment group performing traditional Indonesian songs and dances.

INDONESIA: While attending the IMF Central Committee, IMF affiliates MWAP and PMA met with Regional Executive Committee Members and IMF Leadership. Building cooperation between the unions has been a priority for the IMF since they affiliated. The unions have committed to building up cooperation between the organizations to benefit workers in the Philippines.

Prior to the meeting with DOLE the unions met independently for the first time to coordinate their efforts and to sign a joint letter to Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz at DOLE outlining metalworkers’ concerns. The leaders of the unions also met with Director Rebecca Chato at DOLE to present their concerns in person.
The concerns included:

• Application, implementation and enforcement of existing labour laws and workers rights
• Casualization of the work force
• Issues surrounding an acceptable living wage
• Freedom of association and recognition of ILO standards related to EPZs

During the meeting with DOLE the director presented the delegation with the Department’s Order 18-a. This deals with contracting and subcontracting arrangements under national law. Both unions expressed concerns and agreed to take part in a DOLE tripartite body to represent metalworkers. The unions will also seek subsequent representation to present their alternatives. In 2012 the unions will develop a joint action plan and undertake regular exchanges of information through joint meetings. The areas for inclusion in the action plan may be collective bargaining tactics (some exchange has already taken place), organizing targets and the response to DOLE.

Additionally, MWAP and PMA agreed to reach out to affiliates of other Global Union Federations in order to promote better coordination and to develop a common position on national labour laws for trade unions across the Philippines.

Jyrki Raina, IMF General Secretary informed the unions "I’m pleased to see that the two unions have presented a common front to DOLE in the interest of workers. This is a significant signal of intent in an important country for us."

In recognition of the increasing level of cooperation and also delivering on the outcomes of the IMF National Leadership Workshop the IMF plans to increase its activities in the Philippines in 2012.

GLOBAL: It has become a tradition for trade unions to hold side events under the "World of Work" banner at COP meetings (Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) since COP-15 in Copenhagen, 2009. COP 17 takes place in Durban, South Africa, November 28 to December 9, 2011.

The three Global Union Federations, speaking for workers in the resource, industrial, and processing industries, held the event to discuss a sustainable foundation for Just Transition and develop a common industrial strategy for the future of industrial workers.

The panellists were asked to consider a post-Kyoto framework, climate finance, just transition, an industrial strategy, and the union’s role for the future.

Philemon Shiburi, National Treasurer, National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), emphasized the importance of a second Kyoto commitment period to Africans. Finance and technology transfer are essential. Existing jobs must be protected alongside new ones as renewable energy is developed.

Arvind Shrouti, analyst, Option Positive – India, identified inequalities as a barrier to sustainability and urged strengthened industrial democracy with worker participation in decision-making.

Anne Panneels, Senior Advisor on Sustainable Development at the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), outlined some of the European efforts to design a long-term industrial strategy through social dialogue, for green and decent jobs that includes a Just Transition.

Bob Baugh, Executive Director, Industrial Union Council (AFL-CIO) – USA, showed that in the USA many unions are committed to an industrial policy that endorses the concepts of "green job" transformation and creation through deployment of technology and training and education.

David Macatha, National Treasurer, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) – South Africa, said that nothing can be accomplished without the efforts of workers to demand change, decent work, and a democratic renewal.

The presentations showed that workers globally share a vision of an industrial and social strategy that promotes the transformation of existing jobs to a more sustainable model, as well as the creation of new, sustainable jobs that fulfil the ILO goals of "decent work". The path towards a sustainable future for both today’s and tomorrow’s workers is strong investment in technological innovation, and a Just Transition.

For more information contact Brian Kohler: [email protected] or Kan Matsuzaki: [email protected].

INDONESIA:  IMF Executive Committee members gathered in Jakarta on December 6 prior to the meeting of the Central Committee to discuss and resolve further issues concerning the founding of a new global union organization.

One of the hot topics at the meeting concerned the Statutes for the new organization that will bring together affiliates of the IMF, the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM) and the International Textiles Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF). In particular members argued about and gave suggestions for the structure of the decision-making bodies, the composition of the leadership, voting rights and affiliation fees of the new organization. It was proposed that the Statutes Working Group incorporate the suggestions debated and present them for final consideration at the joint meeting of IMF, ICEM an ITGLWF executive bodies on February 28-29 in Geneva.

Presenting the Action Plan for the new organization Jyrki Raina, IMF General Secretary noted: “We want the new organization to be more dynamic, responsive and inclusive.” According to the plan the new organization, uniting across supply chains in a wide range of sectors such as metalworking, mining and textiles, will have far-reaching goals. These will include building strong unions, organizing, fighting for union rights, and combating precarious work. The organization should also confront global capital, and promote sustainability, social justice, equal rights, safe workplaces, democracy, and inclusiveness at national and international levels. The Action Plan received strong support from the Executive Committee members.

Talking about the name of the future organization Jyrki Raina explained that 70 different proposals were submitted during the name competition launched in September. The list will be shortened and presented with graphic designs for consideration at the February meeting of the three executives.

At the meeting on December 6, the IMF welcomed four new unions as affiliates:

• National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) in Pakistan
• All Nepal Federation of Trade Unions (ANTUF), Nepal
• Norwegian Society of Graduate Technical and Scientific Professionals (TEKNA), Norway
• Danish Society of Engineers (IDA), Denmark

The IMF Executive Committee was also informed that following the resignation of staff members of the regional office in Africa in September, Herman Ntlatleng has been appointed as the new Regional Officer. The Committee also took a principal decision to move the regional office from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore in July 2012.

INDONESIA: More than 100 delegates met in Jakarta on Monday, December 4 to debate priorities and challenges for a new organization planned to be founded in June comprised of three Global Union Federations, the International Metalworkers’ Federation, the International Federation of Chemical, Energy and Mine and General Workers’ Unions and the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation.
 
IMF affiliates discussed progress made since the 2009 IMF Congress resolution to advance gender equality and combat precarious work in their unions and around the world. Representatives from Tanzania, Indonesia, France and Germany presented examples of union initiatives to educate members and the public on the devastating impact of precarious work on communities, with a particular focus on women workers.

Women delegates from around the world shared strategies and challenges faced by their unions to increase women’s participation at the local, regional and national level. Organizing women and precarious workers were identified as key priorities by conference delegates including the need to strengthen and push forward women candidates for leadership roles of strategic importance in their unions and in the new global union federation.
 
Some delegates supported a call for changes to the current draft statutes of the new global union federation that would require 30 per cent women’s representation at all levels of the new structure. The proposed changes include mandating that women hold 30 per cent of the proposed eight elected officer seats of the new international and be represented at the same level in all decision-making bodies including the Finance Committee and Congresses. Other delegates suggested that defining representation in the statutes might not solve the issue of fair women representation.

Delegates proposed the need for the new organization to develop a clear women’s program, including a women’s desk and regional structures to fully support a gender equality program.

INDONESIA: With only days to go until the IMF Central Committee in Jakarta, union leaders from FSPMI and Lomenik reported on how they recruited over 2,000 new members, as a result of a 3-month SASK project.  Although the results are impressive, given the short time period, the original target for the project was for 6,000 new members. Indonesia is made up of 17,000 Islands and the difference between the result and target was explained by the unions and was mainly due activities established in new regions. Having established a presence in the new regions, both unions felt it would become easier to attract new members and grow at a faster rate.

The 3-month project was developed following an earlier IMF 4 country meeting, at which a set of golden rules was adopted to strengthen the trade union movement in Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The underlying strategy behind the golden rules is to strengthen the unions locally, nationally and globally. 

In addition to organizing, the unions developed closer cooperation as part of the project. Both unions signed a memorandum of understanding, which sets out how they will work together and how they will resolve potential conflicts. Examples of the new level of cooperation were the activities carried out to support a recent social security bill that had passed through Parliament. This achievement highlighted the importance of both unions working together.

 "I want our regional work to be result orientated. Setting targets and measurable objectives is the only way we will see the effectiveness of our work", said Jyrki Raina, IMF General Secretary.

In addition to reviewing the results of the 3-month project, participants discussed the potential to continue the project for 3 years more. Both unions agreed that growth and addressing structural issues which affected their sustainability should be a central part of any new project. 

One particular issue to be addressed is the question of union dues collection and also the level of dues paid by new members. Both unions have their own strategy to deal with this issue, but other unions in developing economies have already tackled the problem, and there may be some learning opportunities from other countries.

A commitment to further develop a project proposal for 2012-2014 was the outcome of the meeting. This future project will set ambitious growth targets, build on the existing cooperation between FSPMI and Lomenik, and explore the possibility to work with other union Federations such as LEM, in order to strengthen the union movement in Indonesia as a whole.

BULGARIA: Some 25 to 35 thousand people gathered behind the banners of IMF affiliate TU Metalicy, Metal Electro and the two Bulgarian union confederations – KNSB and Podkrepa – to protest against announced austerity measures hitting workers. They were joined by colleagues from FSLI-Metal and Solidaritatea Metal of Romania, as well as from VASAS in Hungary.
 
The Government had proposed to increase the retirement age with an additional year from the beginning of 2012, breaking an agreement on pension reform reached less than a year ago. The claimed purpose is to cut the deficit in the National Security System budget. Another proposed austerity measure is mass redundancies in the Bulgarian railways.
 
The government later lessened its cutback proposals, but still wants to increase the retirement age with four months – a measure that the Bulgarian federations reject, as the pension age has already been increased with five years for women and three years for men the last 15 years. The federations are prepared to call for a national general strike.

PAKISTAN: In 2010 the Government of Pakistan announced a raise in the minimum wage by 17 per cent. Following this decision in July 2010 the Labour Qaumi Movement (LQM) started negotiations with employers for implementation of the according increase. Three weeks later the employers rejected union demands and refused to increase wages. To extend pressure on the employers, 100,000 workers in Faisalabad and surrounding areas came out on strike. Despite the peaceful nature of the action, the strikers have been attacked by thugs employed by the factory owners. Some suffered from shooting and beating.

Following clashes during the strike employers accused LQM union leaders for terrorism. Subsequently six leaders were arrested at a local police station. They are Akbar Ali Kamboh, Babar Shafiq Randhawa, Fazal Elahi, Rana Riaz Ahmed, Muhammad Aslam Malik and Asghar Ali Ansari. Four of them were arrested in July 2010, and the other two were arrested in July 2011 on the same charges. Early in November 2011 the Anti Terrorism Court of Pakistan sentenced the six union leaders to 490 years in jail for terrorism offences, despite the lack of any legitimate evidence to justify their arrest and sentencing.

IMF supports the campaign demanding release of jailed union leaders started by the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF) and calls on affiliates to give their support by sending letters of protests to Pakistan’s Government at: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; as well as to the Supreme Court of Pakistan at [email protected].

To send an email protest letter to the Pakistani authorities and support workers visit the LabourStart campaign Pakistan: Release trade union leaders now.