BRAZIL: The Curitiba Metalworkers’ Union has reached an agreement with Bosch for the payment of a R$ 6,500 profit-sharing bonus in 2011 if the plant achieves 100% of company targets, ending the strike that started on Friday, June 17.

The union, which is affiliated to the Confederación Nacional de Trabajadores Metalúrgicos, (CNTM), in turn affiliated to the IMF, says it will hold a meeting in the next few days to explain the terms of the agreement to members.
 
The union president, Sergio Butka, said that the agreement was not ideal but was the best way of resolving the situation in which workers found themselves during the strike. "Bosch acted like a bully, using threats and coercion to get workers back to work". He added that the company’s attitude was incompatible with good relations between capital and labour and not a democratic way of dealing with problems.

The IMF declared its solidarity with the demands of the Bosch workers in Curitiba. It sent a letter of support to the more than 4,600 union members, expressing its complete support for the union in its negotiations with the company.

KYRGYZSTAN: On June 14 a union was founded at Altynken LLC. Elections of union committee members were held the same day. Turatkan Arykbaev was elected president. On June 15 the union was registered and joined the Mining and Metallurgy Trade Union of Kyrgyzstan (MMTUK), an IMF affiliate.

When the management learned about the creation of the union, it started to persecute union activists. Turatkan Arykbaev received a notice of dismissal. Union committee members have been under psychological pressure. The company leadership stubbornly refuses to recognize the union.

On Monday, June 27 Arykbaev was dismissed. The management offered him to write a letter of resignation. When he refused, he was fired as he “was still on probation”. The MMTUK considers the dismissal illegal. The union has prepared a legal action against the dismissal and has asked the Kyrgyz Labour Inspection to do the same.

Also on June 27 the company organized a meeting at the mine, and created an alternative union. The MMTUK will challenge this decision too: under Kyrgyz laws, members of the company management cannot create unions.

The MMTUK has called for international solidarity, and has received numerous letters of support.

IMF general secretary Jyrki Raina sent letters of protest to the executive director of Altynken LLC Muhtar Shabanbaev, to the Prosecutor General, to the Kyrgyz minister of natural resources and to the director of the Kyrgyz Labour Inspection. These bodies have already started to investigate the situation at the plant.

“We demand that the persecution and discrimination of union activists stops immediately and that the workers’ right to freedom of association is respected,” Jyrki Raina wrote in a letter to the executive director of Altynken LLC.

The MMTUK will continue to fight against the persecution of union activists at Altynken LLC and for the recognition of the union local. The union is preparing a statement addressed to foreign investors demanding the dismissal of the Altynken executive director for violating the constitutional rights of Kyrgyz citizens.

“We will stand our ground,” said Eldar Tadzhivaev, MMTUK president.

Altynken LLC is a joint Kyrgyz-Kazakh venture (60 per cent owned by Summer Gold PLC, 40 per cent by Kyrgyzaltyn JSC). The company exploits the Taldy-Bulak Levoberejny minefield in the Chuy Province, near the town of Kemin, with gold reserves at 2 million ounces and silver reserves at 1.8 million ounces. The mine has the third largest proven gold reserves in the country after the Kumtor and Jerui mines.

FRANCE:  The Caterpillar European Works Council met June 15 and 16 in Rantigny, near Paris.  All 33 Council members are union members and represent workers of the world’s number one manufacturer of construction and mining equipment in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom. A EMF representative also participated as an expert.  Today Caterpillar employs about 21,500 workers in Europe, compared to 25,000 before the crisis.

The Gosselies plant in Belgium enploys the largest number of workers of any Caterpillar plant outside the United States.  

The preparatory meeting of union representatives on June 15 was followed by a visit to the Rantigny Caterpillar plant, which produces compactors and employs approximately 300 persons.  Discussions with the management dealt with the following issues:

• The strategy of Caterpillar Inc., the 2010 financial results and the outlook for 2011;
• Acquisitions in Europe and the level of employment;
• Progress of the Caterpillar Power System (CPS);
• The pay system in the European Union and the "STIP" (Short-term investment plan)
• Retirement plans;
• The "Taleo" personnel management system;
• The social assistance service in Europe;
• Sales and market shares in Europe and around the world.

Regarding retirement plans, the Secretary of the European Works Council was given the task to prepare a survey of the various systems existing in Europe.  At the Council’s request the question of dealers was also placed on the agenda.  At present there are 206 dealers employing 126,000 persons around the world.  

In his closing statement the Council Chairman officially announced to the European central management that the Council members wanted to open a forum for dialogue at the global level.  "With the IMF and the Caterpillar network created within it, we will soon propose a global framework agreement on matters of concern to all of us, i.e. occupational health and safety and vocational training," he added.  

Four members of the European Works Council sit on the Steering Committee of the IMF Caterpillar network, which met in March 2011 in Chicago, USA.

 

KOREA:   Metalworkers of the countries of the Asian and the Pacific region gathered together at the 4th Asian Metalworkers’ Liaison Conference (AMLC) on June 23 and 24 in Seoul, South Korea to share their experience and discuss concerns over the process of creation of a new International on the basis of three Global Union Federations including IMF, ICEM and ITGLWF.

IMF-JC president, Koichiro Nishihara, member of various IMF decision-making bodies considering the issue of the merger, gave a substantial report about the history and the progress of creation of the new International. The followed discussion and reports from the countries of the region explaining national union priorities and challenges in the light of creation of a new global union raised a number of concerns on behalf of the participants mainly focused on their wish to build a stronger, and not just bigger new federation of manufacturing workers.

The issue of trade union networks in transnational corporations (TNCs) was also point of agenda of the meeting. The participants shared their experience on functioning trade union networks and particularly focused on the communication between unions in the mother country of a TNC and their counterparts in other countries of the region where this TNC operates. A necessity of quick exchange of information in case of labour conflicts was underlined in the discussion.

Organizing the non-organized section of the meeting provoked quite vivid debates especially in the light of the future potential merger and necessity to cooperate with other unions who have different background, agenda and working methods when approaching the issue of organizing.

The participants also discussed the future of AMLC if and when merger takes place, some possible options considered were creation of a special metal section of the AMLC, or inclusion of unions from other sectors as well, the issue most probably will be nailed down after conclusion of the IMF Central Committee in December 2011.

AMLC is not an IMF decision-making body, however representatives of the IMF Secretariat attended AMLC meeting and participated in its discussions and debates at the invitation of the IMF affiliate and organizer of the conference IMF-JC.

KOREA: On June 24 the IMF Assistant General Secretary, Fernando Lopes, joined a delegation that visited the National Assembly to report about recent, extensive violence against trade unions in Korea. The delegation was composed of the leadership of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU) affiliated both to KCTU and IMF, as well as MPs from Democratic Labour Party of Korea, New Progressive Party, and leaders of the Korean Professors’ Union, National Association of Professors for a Democratic Society and Korean Progressive Academy Council. All members of the delegation signed the resolution about labour repressions in Korea adopted by the IMF.

At the press conference after the event at the National Assembly of Korea in Seoul Lopes and other members of the delegation expressed serious concerns over increasing cases of repression against workers in Korea. 

The speakers referred to cases of violence against workers at Yuseong Piston Ring factory, where the management had hired thugs who used steel pipes and fire extinguishers to prevent workers from entering the illegally locked out factory. Another case concerned Hanjin Heavy Industry, where workers had staged protests against unfair dismissals. In both cases the Government used police riot forces against peaceful protests of workers instead of trying to find a fair solution.

Earlier in June workers at the factory Yuseong Piston Ring, a key Hyundai Motor supplier, decided to go on strike, in compliance with legal requirements. However, before the action actually started, the management imposed a lock-out, alleging the workers’ action was illegal. The Government mobilized riot police to violently dissolve the workers’ peaceful sit-in protest against the employers illegal decision. Later, even after the workers officially announced the end of the strike, the employer continued the lock-out and hired thugs to prevent workers from entering the factory.

Another example of excessive violence against workers at Hanjin Heavy Industry has been reported on the IMF website. In February 2010 the management at Hanjin Heavy Industry shipbuilding yard signed an agreement with the union not to dismiss workers. The following December, 400 workers were fired in violation of the agreement.

In response to the unfair dismissals the Hanjin workers went on strike. The company replied with a lockout, which is still ongoing. To protest, Kim Jinsook, member of the KCTU advisory committee, started an aerial protest action on a company crane; the protest has already gone on for 170 days. 

Despite numerous appeals of the local KMWU union, including with the support of 700 citizens and an oppositional political party and finally through the Parliamentary subcommittee on Labour and Environmental Affairs to settle the conflict and to reinstate the dismissed workers, the company management never showed any good will to seek for a solution. 

Read the text of the IMF Resolution on Labour Repression in Korea here.

SEOUL: On June 23, the Seoul Administrative Court ordered that Samsung Electronics compensate the families of two workers, Hwang Yumi and Lee Sookyoung, who both died of acute myeloid leukemia (white blood cell cancer) after working at the same point on a Samsung production line for wafers used to make semiconductors. This ruling overturned a decision in 2009 by the Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare Service not to pay compensation and funeral expenses for the deaths and refusing to acknowledge them as workplace related deaths.

Handing down their decision, the Administrative Court panel of judges stated, ‘Although the cause of the employees’ leukemia has yet to be determined clearly on a scientific basis, it is presumable that their constant exposure to toxic chemicals and ionizing radiation had caused or, at least, expedited the illness. It is fit to say there is a link between their leukemia and their careers’.

This landmark decision is likely to lead to further lawsuits from workers at Samsung. Information gathered by activists shows that 23 Samsung workers so far have suffered from hematopoietic cancer like leukemia or lymphoma, at least 9 of whom have died. On 1 March 2010, activist groups including the Korean Metalworkers’ Union (KMWU) launched a global campaign to call on the Korean government to investigate the link between these cancers and the workers’ employment in electronics manufacturing (http://www.imfmetal.org/index.cfm?c=22391) and to provide remedy to workers and their families.

Samsung responded to the ruling by refusing to accept the finding and stating that it will soon announce the results of its own investigation into semiconductor production lines.

ITALY: June 21-22 a meeting hosted by the International Metalworkers Federation (IMF) took place in Turin, Italy, at the Trainings Centre of the International Labour Organisation.

Union representatives from Fiat Spa, Fiat Industrial and Chrysler from Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Serbia, France, Spain, Germany and USA participated.

It was the first meeting for worker representatives from both Fiat and Chrysler. UAW President Bob King led the delegation from the US.

The main priority of this meeting was the creation and maintenance of a Fiat/Chrysler global network.

The participants confirmed that international cooperation of worker representatives and unions is absolutely necessary to avoid that workers are played off against each other; more so in a time of crisis, when there are risks of plants closures and job losses. Therefore, the main purpose of this first meeting was to create a sustainable structure of a further Fiat/Chrysler global network.

The participants agreed that a coordinator and contact persons from each country will run this network, gather and distribute important information and organise mutual support and common actions, under the leadership of IMF. They also decided to keep a single network for Fiat Spa and Fiat Industrial

As modelled on other companies with European Works Councils (EWC), the global meetings will be organized in connection with the EWC meeting each year. Later, the meeting will be held also in countries outside Europe where Fiat/Chrysler has important facilities.

Bob King, President of UAW, Maurizio Landini, General Secretary of FIOM, Bruno Vitali, National Secretary of FIM, Eros Panicali, National Secretary UILM and a representative from Brazil will form the political steering group for the Network, and handle contacts with the company management.

The first common initiative will be a formal request to the companies’ CEOs to open negotiations for the recognition of a World Works Council (WWC) and an International Framework Agreement.

FRANCE: On June 21, the IMF Aerospace Department organized a joint visit by affiliated unions to the Paris Air Show. Many of those participating had not previously attended one of the major industry shows, which are held on alternate years in Paris and in Farnborough in the United Kingdom.

Meeting the following day to analyse their experiences, union representatives said that they were impressed by the size and scope of the Air Show, which brought together all of the major players in the industry. Participants were particularly surprised by the vast number of supplier companies that were aggressively pursuing business opportunities. Despite a strong union presence in many of the principal companies, a lot of these supplier companies were not known to the union representatives, who recognized that there are substantial organizing opportunities that should be pursued.

Another notable feature of the Air Show was the presence of countries, and even regions within countries, actively competing with each other for aerospace business.

Delegates concluded that the IMF should organize a similar delegation to attend the Farnborough Air Show in 2012. This opportunity should be used to engage positively with the industry and to create opportunities for media coverage that would focus on the success of companies that have good relationships with trade unions. IMF affiliate Unite offered to host the delegation and organize a workers’ reception at the Air Show.

Experts from French research organizations ID Aero, Secafi and Syndex made presentations at the IMF meeting on current developments in the aerospace sector. The presentations showed that despite the influence of specific events such as the volcano eruption in Iceland in 2010 and the Arab Spring, long term growth in the industry remains steady. However, job creation is increasingly moving to outsourced and supplier companies and to countries which do not yet have the strong union presence in the sector that has been achieved in the countries with longer established aerospace industries.

Finally, delegates reasserted their commitment to organizing and to developing trade union networks in transnational corporations and their supply chains.

During his long service for the trade union movement at the international level Werner spent most of his energy building up trade unions in India and in Western and Northern Africa, as well as in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

He was an excellent analytical observer of the political and social development in the regions under his responsibility. During his last years as active Assistant General Secretary of the IMF Werner built up contacts and relations to trade unions in Congo and most of the West African countries. He was the one that brought those organizations into the IMF at the beginning of the nineties.

When he started working for the IMF in 1971 (he was then special adviser to Otto Brenner, one of the most renowned trade union leaders of Germany) he brought and shared all his experience and know-how from one of the most powerful trade unions in the world.

Werner was Assistant General Secretary for the IMF from 1972 until 1989, and was also responsible for the Electrical & Electronics Department.

He was a good diplomat, a quality that was much needed those days, and that he always combined with his gentle personality.

Werner is survived by his wife, his two sons, and his granddaughter.

UKRAINE: Ukrainian unions report that the government pressure against the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FTUU) and its affiliates has greatly increased during recent months.

Some ministries have established special anti-union departments. On May 23 the FTUU received an order from the Prosecutor General’s office to ban some issues from consideration during the Presidium meeting the next day. The FTUU also received numerous letters and orders requiring it to present information and documents within unreasonable time limits. In some cases, FTUU was ordered to present information about events that had not taken place yet. The FTUU reports that that this situation has a negative impact on the work of the federation and its affiliates.

On June 3 FTUU president Vasyl Hara was summoned to the prosecutor’s office. FTUU vice presidents, leaders of some FTUU affiliates and other union officials were also summoned to the prosecutor’s offices.

These actions of the Ukrainian authorities violate national laws and international standards. International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM) have sent letters of protest to the president of Ukraine Victor Yanukovich.

On June 21 IMF general secretary Jyrki Raina also sent a letter to President Yanukovich demanding that the violations of union autonomy cease immediately.

“We are deeply concerned about this situation and call on you to stop these violations of trade union autonomy, which is guaranteed by the Ukrainian laws and international standards recognized by Ukraine,” wrote Raina.

Follow the link to read the full text of the letter to the president of Ukraine Victor Yanukovich.