USA: Verizon wants to freeze pensions for current workers and eliminate them for future employees, increase contracting out and offshoring of jobs, slash sick leave and health care plans for current and retired workers, and eliminate disability payments for injured workers. In total Verizon has a long list of nearly 100 concession demands, which the company refuses to give up, despite profits of US$19.5 billion and payments of US$258 million to its top five executives in the last four years.

The 45,000 CWA and IBEW members have taken the unprecedented step of striking until Verizon comes to the bargaining table and starts serious negotiations.

The strike was strongly supported also by the United Steelworkers at the ongoing USW Convention.

How you can help

CWA invites supporters on the US East Coast to join a picket line here, to adopt a Verizon Wireless store in their area, and to sign the petition in support of 45,000 CWA and IBEW workers on strike.

SWITZERLAND: The federal, cantonal governments and UNIA provided the CHF 2 million to meet July’s payroll. Swissmetal no longer has the liquidity to pay wages. UNIA provided the majority of the payment, approximately 70%.

This payment means that the possibility still exists that the two Swiss operations of the company still might be purchased by French-based Le Bronze Industriel SA, a manufacturer of bronze and copper electrodes.

Another major step UNIA in trying to save Swissmetal jobs came when the Swiss national union succeeded in pressuring bank BNP Paribas – a creditor of Swissmetal that is owed CHF 20 million – to release the company’s metal inventories, which the bank blocked at the two sites.

On 8 August, UNIA and workers at the main facility in Dornach held a symbolic manifestation at the Basle branch of BNP Paribas, urging the bank to lift the blockade of raw metal stock. Hundreds of workers rallied under the slogan, "You occupy our warehouse, we occupy your bank!" The occupation of the bank proved successful.
 
While work did re-start at the other plant, in Reconvilier, on 8 August, all attention today is on the Dornach site, where production must restart immediately. This depends on Swissmetal agreeing to operate and deal with pending orders before buyers look elsewhere. Reopening of operations in the immediate term would ensure Swissmetal’s ability to pay wages for August.
 
As sale negotiations continue, redundancies are not necessary at this stage, and will be bitterly opposed.
 
UNIA underlines the vital importance that the cantonal governments of Soleure and Bern have. They have a duty to prevent the massive dismantling of operations and stop closure of the factories.

This ICEM release is also available on the ICEM Web-site (http://www.icem.org/en/78-ICEM-InBrief/4613-Uncertainty-Continues-for-Swissmetal-Workers)

GEORGIA: Over the past two years, the union has pursued aggressive recruitment drives in Georgia through direct action, and has successfully brought work rights to thousands of miners and metalworkers.

 

This time, the director of Euroasian Steels told union President Tamaz Dolaberidze he would respect workers’ decision to join a trade union, and underscored that it is their right to join a union organisation of their choice. On 6 August, the Metallurgical, Mining, Chemical Union submitted a list of 14 names of workers who would make up the union committee. Dolaberidze said it is his intent to forewarn management and government officials alike that the individuals stand as legitimate shop-floor representatives, and any attempt to dismiss, discipline, or obstruct their duties would violate the rights of all.

The Metallurgical, Mining, and Chemical Industry Workers’ Trade Union, with the help of the ICEM and the Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC), has rapidly established itself as a force for workers’ rights in the country. Earlier this year, the union won recognition for 1,500 miners of Geo-Coal and then posted huge salary jumps for them in collective negotiations. The circumstances around that can be found in the ICEM report here.

And in spring 2010, the union along with ICEM and the GTUC, won union rights and a fair deal for 5,800 workers at Zestafoni Ferroalloys and Georgian Manganese mines. (Read the recap on that here.) Both struggles saw workers engage in strikes in order to gain union recognition and wage and benefit gains.

For more details visit the ICEM website at http://www.icem.org/en/78-ICEM-InBrief/4606-Georgian-Mine-Metalworkers-Win-Union-Rights-at-Euroasian

CANADA: On 9 and 10 August, CAW members returned to their Arnprior, Ontario, factory knowing they bested the company’s mid-July "last, best offer" of pension reductions, cost-of-living (COLA) rollbacks, and contract language deletions. After Sandvik made some modifications in its original proposals in talks on 29 July, changes that CAW members saw as insufficient and which they rejected. The company returned to bargaining in early August with more revisions that essentially left a prior labour agreement intact.
 
There will be no changes to the roll-in effect of the COLA, no changes to job security, and pension benefits will remain the same. In addition, there were some benefit improvements and strengthened contract language regarding layoffs. A 1% wage increase is also due at the beginning of the third year.

"I’m humbled by the level of support the membership ha shown in their first-even strike, in the facility’s more than 30-year existence," said CAW Eastern Ontario Area Director Harry Ghadban. Local 2228 Unit Chairman Derek Mosley said: "We could not have done it without the unwavering support from the membership and the support from the national union.

"We are proud of the solidarity of our membership in fighting back concessions and holding tough until a negotiated settlement was reached."
 
And on Local 2228’s blog after the 8 August ratification vote, one union member stated: "We can all hold our heads high as we return to work knowing we sent a message to management saying we will not accept your final offer, we go back on our terms. I cannot express how proud I am."

Sandvik Materials Technology in Arnprior manufactures stainless steel and nickel alloy speciality tubing used in the nuclear, aerospace, automotive, and oil and gas industries.

This ICEM release is also available on the ICEM Web-site (http://www.icem.org/en/78-ICEM-InBrief/4609-Canadian-Auto-Workers-Win-27-Day-Strike-at-Sandvik-Metal)

GLOBAL: Since signing the agreement in June 2008, the joint union and management approach has had a positive impact on the number of accidents in the workplace, especially fatalities, and helped reduce the risk faced by workers. Since 2008 the total number of fatal accidents has been reduced by one third. The report also identifies that even one fatality is too high and that fatalities within the company continue to remain unacceptably high despite progress.

Mr. Jyrki Raina, General Secretary International Metalworkers’ Federation, commented at the launch "This report demonstrates our commitment to improve health and safety in ArcelorMittal. The Joint Global Health and Safety Committee have carried out a lot of good work, but achieving Zero fatalities remains our highest priority."

Prior to signing the agreement the company had its worst year for fatalities and unions and management identified safety as their number one priority. The spirit of the agreement is a shared recognition that the most effective tool in ensuring good workplace health and safety is good cooperation among workers, trade unions and management. The global agreement sets out standards that every site must adopt including the creation of a joint health and safety committee.

Mr. Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ArcelorMittal stated "The Joint Global Health and Safety Committee set a new benchmark in steel, and its leadership has improved cooperation with unions and helped us to make progress on our Journey to Zero in Health and Safety. I count on all our joint committees to further boost progress in health and safety to reach the challenging objectives the company has set itself, since health and safety remains top priority. Innovation and not being afraid to make bold decisions are at the heart of our success".

Mr. Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers, added "When we first signed this agreement the question was could this approach save lives, the answer is yes. But we haven’t saved every life and put simply that is our goal"

Mr. Tony Murphy from the European Metalworkers’ Federation stated "We always maintained that working with unions can benefit safety performance, the more involvement the unions have the better the results will get".

For further details or comment please contact the joint Chairs of the JGHSC:
Rob Johnston at [email protected] ; Tel. +41(22)308-5028
Frank Haers at [email protected] ; Tel +352 4792 2683

USA: In June the BMW management notified members of Teamsters Local 495 that it is going to replace 68 unionized auto-parts warehousing jobs with outsourced workers at the company warehouse in Southern California. The previous contract with them was due to expire at the end of August.

On August 10, 2011 following a strong campaign organized by Teamsters Union (IBT) across the US and the international solidarity support received from IMF affiliates Unite in the UK and IG Metall in Germany as well as involvement of BMW European Works Council, Teamster Local 495 leadership and BMW management reached an agreement to extend the current contract for six months.

During this interim period the company promised to work with Local 495 and find a mutually acceptable solution that will address long term employment for the current BMW workforce in Ontario, California.

The union agreed to suspend additional campaign activities directed at BMW consumers and its supply chain pending progress towards a solution over the next months, however the union will continue posting materials and updates regarding the process of negotiations on the special campaign website www.BMWUltimateMisery.com.

The Ontario, California, warehouse handles 200,000 auto parts for just-in-time delivery to BMW car dealerships and other auto-supply outlets on the West Coast.

ZAMBIA: Zambia seems to be faring well given the difficult global economic environment. Most of the country’s economic sectors are recording positive growth and this is reflected in the increase the GDP. The inflation rate has been maintained at around 9%.

Whilst the economy of the country appears stable and moving in a positive direction, food and fuel prices have been increasing, making the cost of living high and many essential items unaffordable to workers.

The union has been able to successfully negotiate a 13% wage increase for iron and steel workers, at least 5% higher than current inflation, making it a real wage increase.

NUBEGW has faced greater challenges in negotiations with the construction sector, where the union has at least been to secure a 9% increase. 

Article contributed by George Sikazwe of NUBEGW 

CHILE: Workers at the BHP Billiton-controlled Escondida mine ended a two-week strike at the end of last week and gradually resumed work. The mine is now operating normally.

The strike ended after 65 per cent of the approximately 2,000 workers on strike voted to accept the company’s proposal for a US $5,600 bonus, in addition to safety improvements.

Other issues raised by the union are being addressed at the negotiating table. "The working and social welfare conditions that we were demanding in the first place and which were the main reason for the strike are all being negotiated, with a 30-day deadline for reaching agreement, and that is very important", said Roberto Arriagada, President of Escondida No.1 Union.

The National Council of Chilean IMF affiliates expressed its support for the struggle of the Escondida miners.

MEXICO:  According to the reports received by the IMF the Felipe Calderon Government renewed its attacks against independent trade unions and workers’ rights protection organizations.

Recently through false crime accusations arrest warrants were issued for the legitimately elected officials of the Mexican Electrical Workers’ Union (SME) General Secretary Martin Esparza Flores and Labor Secretary Eduardo Zarza Bobadilla, as well as union lawyer Amalia Vargas Rios.

The Attorney General’s Office accuses the union officials of an attempted fraud and demands to freeze union financial resources received through the collection of dues currently kept by the bank Bansefi.

In fact through the false accusations and warrants of arrests the Government tries to undermine SME and avoids recognizing the legitimately elected trade union officials and issuing a "toma de nota", certificate of recognition of union officials by the Labour Ministry. The procedure of "toma de nota" is falling far from democratic principles and creates possibilities for potential fraud and abuse. The current example confirms one more time that "toma de nota" practice in fact leads to open violation of workers’ right to freedom of association.

IMF earlier reported about the attacks on SME, one of the oldest unions in Mexico, http://www.imfmetal.org/index.cfm?c=20955 whose only fault is to counteract neoliberal policies of the Felipe Calderon Government. Particularly the union fights against an illegal dismissal of 44,000 workers, most of whom were SME members. In reply to SME’s different proposals for legally and economically viable solutions to resolve the conflict the Government continues to escalate the situation.

The other recent attack is directed at the employees of the Center for Worker Support (CAT), an organization that has been assisting in the organizing of workers at Johnson Controls in Puebla, Mexico. For details, see an earlier report of the IMF at http://www.imfmetal.org/index.cfm?c=25132.

The life of the CAT employees is in danger. An article quoting one of the indusrialists accusing CAT employees of "destabilizing the situation in the state of Puebla" was published in the industrial pro-governmental electronic bulletin Periodico Digital on 27 July 2011. Considering the earlier life threats received by CAT employees  the IMF has contacted the Minister of Labour Javier Lozano Alarcón and the Governor of the State Puebla Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas.

The other long lasting case where the Mexican government so far fails to find a solution regards the IMF and ICEM affiliate the National Miners’ and Metalworkers’ Union of Mexico (SNTMMSRM). This year the union celebrated four year anniversary of its strikes in Sonora, Taxco and Sombrerete. Miners and the local communities are deeply concerned that neither the government nor Grupo Mexico have taken any steps to resolve the disputes, recognise the collective agreements and respect the National Miners’ Union.

USA: The ratification vote came 13 days after conclusion of a negotiating settlement (see earlier report here http://www.imfmetal.org/index.cfm?c=27185&l=2). The delay was due to the fact that Honeywell managers at the uranium converting facility were negligent in giving explicit back-to-work assignments to locked-out workers.

At Metropolis Honeywell facility 228 steelworkers convert milled uranium into uranium hexafluoride (UF6) which is used in nuclear fuel enrichment.

According to the report of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM) “the lock-out was marked by Honeywell’s decision to resume full production nine weeks into the company’s work stoppage and then re-start operations with inexperienced scab replacement workers. Twice in the months that followed, the plant saw near-miss tragedies due to mishandling of dangerous chemicals.”

Local 7-669 members will begin returning to work on 15 August. Some 150 workers will return then to training and re-certification by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Forty workers will return two weeks later for the same, and the remainder two weeks after that. The unionized workforce will number about 220 workers when the experienced and qualified USW members are fully back to work.

The negotiated settlement preserves most of the key union-protection provisions that Honeywell was trying to strip away at the start of the lockout, including seniority, job bidding, overtime, and retention of a defined benefit pension plan for existing workers, as well as retiree medical benefits that go along with that plan.

For more details visit the ICEM website at http://www.icem.org/en/3-Energy-Oil-and-Gas/4599-Troubled-to-End-USW-Union-Ratifies-US-Honeywell-Contract.