GERMANY: The Unions in Motion Film Festival screened a variety of short films and feature films related to trade unions, including a one hour selection from the 2011 Global Union Film Shorts.  A number of workshops were also held on June 11 on how trade unions can produce films for the benefit of their members.

Since the festival was set in a former steel plant, a film on the HF6 blast furnace in Liege, Belgium was screened. HF6 is a documentary about the downturn affecting the steel industry and the hope, fight and victory linked to the restart of the blast furnace HF6. The 20 minute documentary Into The Graveyard on shipbreaking, submitted by The Mumbai Port Trust Dock and General Employees Union (MPTDGEU) was also featured. (http://www.imfmetal.org/index.cfm?c=25363&l=2)

A one hour selection of the Global Union Films Shorts 2011 were shown at the Unions in Motion Film Festival but the Global Union Films Shorts DVD will have a larger selection of films submitted by affiliates and independent film makers. More information on the DVD and films are also available at http://www.labourfilmshorts.org/. For copies of the DVD please contact: Cherisse Fredricks, [email protected],

GLOBAL: On June 1 the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) released its new Annual Survey on Trade Union Rights based on reports received from 143 countries of the world telling of the bitter truth about the abuse of rights and economic freedoms of working people across the globe.

This year the Survey once again points to Columbia as the most dangerous place on our planet for unionists, where last year 49 people were murdered for their trade union work in this country alone. 75 people received death threats and at least 2.500 were put under arrest. Quite often unionists became subject to repression at their workplace and at least 5,000 of them were fired last year.

The ITUC published the Survey on their website in the form of a database with  initial access through a world map, facilitating the search for reports from a particular country. To get access to the database of reports follow the link: ITUC Annual Survey on Trade Union Rights

The launch of the survey took place during the International Labour Organization’s International Labour Conference, which celebrated its 100^th anniversary this year. On the occasion of the launch of the ITUC Survey Jyrki Raina, IMF General Secretary, spoke about violations of human and trade union rights in Mexico, the country that for long time remains subject of close attention on the part of the International Metalworkers’ Federation.

"The labour rights abuses, well documented in the ITUC’s Annual Survey of Trade Union Rights, compels us as unionists and activists to act," said Raina addressing the ILC delegates.

The Global Union Federations and ITUC are working together to keep up the pressure on Mexico to improved labour rights. Our affiliates who are the heart of the international labour movement, are committed to keep up the fight globally and locally," he added.

EU/GEORGIA: The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) sent a joint letter to the member of the European Commission Karel De Gucht, stating that Georgian labour legislation does not meet the requirements of the EU’s General System of Preferences (GSP+) allowing Georgia some tariff benefits, therefore, an investigation should be conducted.

In their letter ITUC and ETUC describe concrete examples of labour discrimination practices existing in Georgia in violation of core ILO Conventions. In particular they refer to legal limitations to form a union, obstacles to perform collective bargaining, lack of protection against union and gender discrimination, interferences in union autonomy, restrictions on the ability to strike and widespread child labour.

Despite repeated calls from the International Labour Organisation to amend labour laws, the Georgian government has so far refused to comply.

"The European Union needs to investigate Georgia’s continued violations of fundamental workers’ rights, and if the Georgian authorities do not bring their laws into line with ILO standards, then the EU should withdraw the trade preference arrangements which Georgia enjoys at present," said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

Bernadette Segol, General Secretary of the ETUC said "Georgia’s employment laws fall way below the standards required to get trade advantages from the EU. These laws need to be amended, or the trade advantages should be withdrawn."

To read the full text of the letter follow the link "The letter to Mr Karel De Gucht  – investigation into violations of Core Labour Standards in Georgia.

CHILE:  The IMF affilaite Copper Workers’ Federation (Federación de Trabajadores del Cobre – FTC) has announced that members of affiliated unions at the mine have gone on strike until the company is able to guarantee their safety and physical integrity.

They took this decision in the context of the labour dispute between Codelco and contract workers at its El Teniente Division, after buses taking them to the mine were stoned on June 2.

"This decision by affiliated unions at El Teniente complies completely with the position taken by the FTC National Executive on May 25, which expressly stated that members would go on strike in the event of attacks that put at risk the lives and physical integrity of Codelco employees", said the FTC.

The FTC has called on the government of President Sebastián Piñera "to accept, rather than avoid, responsibility for provoking a situation that has led an important Codelco division to stop production, affecting all Chileans. Clearly, a dispute that the regional authorities brought upon themselves with their statements has got out of hand and they are now incapable of controlling it, with the enormous costs that this entails."

"The FTC has always supported the demands and just actions of contract workers, represented by their trade unions. What we cannot accept, and what we have never accepted, is manipulation that promotes the interests of non-workers and threatens the integrity of the workers we represent."

The strike will be maintained until normality returns and until there are full guarantees that members will not run risks that endanger their life and health, concluded the FTC.

USA: Ten U.S. trade unions, working together as the Coordinating Bargaining Council (CBC) of General Electric (GE) Unions, are negotiating with the industrial and financial giant toward a June 19 expiration of a four-year agreement covering 15,000 workers.

The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) and the International Union of Electronic Workers/Communications Workers (IUE/CWA) are the largest U.S. unions at GE, representing 11,000 industrial workers. Collective agreements for the UE and IUE are national in scope.

UE Local 506 in Erie, Pennsylvania, hosted a CBC rally of 4,000 trade unionists on June 4. The bargaining manifestation was held at Gannon University in the western Pennsylvania city.

Negotiations began in New York City on May 24 and after five rounds of bargaining it is evident that pension issues and health care costs have become the main agenda items. GE is trying to separate all new hires from a defined pension plan and shift them to an inferior plan. It also wants higher cost-sharing on medical insurance from workers and introduction of inferior option plans.

Despite the financial crisis, GE is faring well in the marketplace and American unions are resisting any rollbacks to pension schemes and health care costs. And they will seek a significant yearly wage increase and cost-of-living improvements.

GE paid out three dividends to shareholders in the past year and recorded US$14.2 billion in gross profits in 2010. GE’s cash surplus was US$82 billion in first quarter 2011, and UE claims GE workers produced an average of US$42,000 each in net profit for the company last year. 
The CBC of GE Unions consists of the UE, the IUE/CWA, International Association of Machinists (IAM), NABET/CWA, the United Steelworkers (USW), the United Auto Workers (UAW), the International Federation of Professional and Technical Employees (IFPTE), the Electrical Workers (IBEW), Sheet Metal Workers Union (SMWIU), the United Association of Plumbing and Pipefitting Union (UA), the Firemen & Oilers division of the Service Employees Union (SEIU).

For more details go to ICEM’s latest news report on the GE negotiations here:
http://www.icem.org/en/78-ICEM-InBrief/4461-American-Unions-in-Tough-Talks-for-15-000-General-Electric-Staff

To follow the negotiations on UE’s website go to:
http://www.ueunion.org/unity2011.html

MEXICO: Workers trying to join the National Miners’ and Metalworkers’ Union of Mexico (SNTMMSRM) at the La Platosa mine in the state of Durango, Mexico have been subjected to threats and harassment by local management of Excellon Resources Inc.

On November 21, 2010 workers at the mine democratically decided to affiliate to the SNTMMSRM. Since then, members of the Local Committee and many other workers have been the target of threats and harassment from management and mine supervisors. Specifically, Ing Pablo Gurrola, the General Manager, pressured 65 workers to sign a document stating their disinterest in unionizing, and offered increases in wages and benefits if they would sign.

The SNTMMSRM is an affiliate of the International Metalworkers’ Federation and sits on the IMF Executive Committee. The IMF has been informed by SNTMMSRM and the organization Proyecto de Derechos Económicos, Sociales y Culturales (ProDESC) that Excellon Resources is not complying with health and safety standards established by Mexican Labor Law.

In a letter to Excellon, IMF General Secretary Jyrki Raina urged the company to cease any further attacks, adding "the ongoing persecution of members of the SNTMMSRM is the subject of a much publicized complaint filed by the IMF with the International Labour Organisation’s Committee on Freedom of Association.

"These actions, which are corroborated by a reputable human rights organization, constitute serious violations of Mexican and international labor law, including ILO Convention 87 to which Mexico is a signatory."

The IMF joined workers at the La Platosa mine in calling on Excellon Resources Inc., to:

• Immediately cease threats or harassment of any kind towards workers who freely chose to join a union, and appropriately penalizing any staff member who engages in such conduct.
• Recognize the will of the majority of workers who have freely and democratically chosen to affiliate themselves with the National Miners’ and Metalworkers’ Union of Mexico (SNTMMSRM).
• Respect and uphold the workers’ rights to integrity, security, and freedom of association in the La Platosa mine.

GENEVA: During the IMF’s recent Executive Committee meeting, Unite the union and the IMF-JC met to discuss ways to support workers present in Japanese companies. The global operations of Japanese automobile manufacturers are conducted in numerous countries around the world, and Honda, Nissan, Toyota have a significant presence in the UK. These facilities have brought significant benefits to local economies, including employment, industrial development and technology transfer. The outcome of the meeting was a commitment to build a stronger alliance between both parties.

However the meeting took place against the background of the recently failed attempt to derecognize Unite at the Honda plant in Swindon. Unite has had a recognition agreement at Honda UK since 2002 which was signed by the then AEEU section of Amicus (now Unite). The UK’s Central Arbitration Council which rules on union recognition issues in the UK recently rejected the challenge to Unite.

Although Unite won its bid to stop the de-recognition both parties discuss ways in which the UK and Japanese unions can assist each other to prevent further such activities. A number of immediate and long term steps were agreed in order to strengthen communication channels, including establishing a resource person for each organization who can keep both informed of any problems.

During the meeting Tony Burke, Unite Assistant General Secretary, stated, "We need the support of our Japanese union colleagues to strengthen our activities in the Japanese companies. Our interest is in building a strong alliance that benefits us both and delivers when we are faced with a situation like that at Honda in Swindon. Our aim is to build union membership and density in these companies."

Rob Johnston, IMF Executive Director, added, "A fundamental principle of the recognition agreement is recognition of the union, Honda management must uphold that principle and clearly state that they recognize Unite."

In addition to the discussions about Honda, Unite and IMF-JC also discuss Nissan and Toyota. In Sept 2012 Nissan will host its World Joint Seminar and Unite have been invited to participate. The seminar brings together trade unions from all over the world.

Koichiro Nishihara, IMF-JC President and President of the Confederation of Japan Automobile workers’ Unions, stated that the IMF-JC is fully committed to supporting Unite in its activities within the Japanese companies including its activities at Honda in Swindon.

SOUTH AFRICA: The drawn out saga with Bridgestone started during wage negotiations with the tyre sector in August 2010. Employers tabled for discussion the number of workers earning above the maximum for their grade known as red circled workers. In addition to an across the board increases, the parties also agreed to seek out a way to bring these workers back into the grade maximum. A wage retardation formula for red circled workers for the industry was agreed to with all parties except Bridgestone. The agreement reflected this, stating Bridgestone’s position as a separate item in the agreement being challenged by NUMSA. On the basis of the agreement, NUMSA ended its month long strike with other employers and in good faith suspended the strike with Bridgestone, in order to the further negotiate with the company on its red circle worker position.

Bridgestone then announced that if NUMSA does not accept its proposal on wage retardation for red circled workers that it is not bound by the agreement in its entirety. This would mean that Bridgestone was not obligated to pay across the board wage increases under the agreement for all other approximately 1,050 workers and ‘red circled’ workers. Bridgestone also contested the right of the industry association to sign off on the agreement on its behalf potentially undermining the institution of centralised bargaining.

The matter went to arbitration and despite requesting an expedited hearing on the matter, three hearings were necessary, beginning early in December 2010 and ending late February 2011. In his ruling dated February 22, 2011, the arbitrator found that Bridgestone was bound to the industry agreement signed by the employers association and should pay increases as stipulated in the agreement for non red circled workers and that NUMSA and Bridgestone should continue to negotiate an agreement of a retardation formula to be applied to those earning above the maximum for their grade. NUMSA made repeated attempts to engage Bridgestone to reach such an agreement and accept the industry-wide position on red circled workers. Bridgestone remained stubborn and on March 22, 2010, taking advantage of the slowdown in industry-wide demand as a result of the Japanese tragedy decided to take offensive action to force the union to agree to its unilateral position by locking out all of its 1,200 workers at both its plants.

At this point NUMSA sought solidarity support from its members as well as other unions in South Africa and abroad. IMF African affiliates responded to the call and most sent letters of solidarity to NUMSA and called on Bridgestone to respect the central bargaining process. Several other unions outside of the region, notably some of those that organise Bridgestone workers in other countries, also sent letters to Bridgestone SA warning that they were ready to back NUMSA with actions at the company’s plants that they organise. 

NUMSA applied to the labour court for a urgent interdict to have the lock out declared illegal as the union was pursuing negotiations and there was no strike in action but the court ruled on a technicality that the lockout was legal because of the suspended strike. This award on the April 15, 2011 was unexpected as trade unions often suspend a strike in good faith to re-engage in negotiations, diffuse tensions between parties and alleviate pressure on workers during the long drawn out industrial action. The precedent setting award, deeming the lockout at Bridgestone as legal, undermines the use of strike suspension as a tool available to labour in the future. NUMSA is challenging this award, looking to take this for appeal.

NUMSA resumed the Bridgestone strike and organised a march to the Japanese Embassy on April 25 to demand their intervention on the Bridgestone lockout. The embassy responded to NUMSA saying that the Japanese government encourages all Japanese multinational companies to comply with labour legislation in the countries they operate but cannot intervene on a collective bargaining matter.

Striking workers also marched to Bridgestone plants in Port Elizabeth and Brits early in May demanding that the company honour the industry agreement with respect to red circled workers and end the lockout. Despite growing pressure at home and internationally Bridgestone refused to budge.

During the lockout Bridgestone SA refused to engage NUMSA, instead the company told workers that if they wished to return to work they would be expected to individually sign acceptance of their wage offer, effectively shutting out the union and undermining the right to collective bargaining. As the contentious issue affected a minority of the workers, those that are red circled, it was only a matter of time before the strain placed on workers through a lack of income would start to erode their resolve. The company also resorted to dirty tactics to attack their unity, which included threatening their jobs by bringing in former workers that had been retrenched by the company. 

NUMSA recognised that when the labour court deemed the lockout as legal, the power balance shifted. The union decided that it was not going to give in quietly and put up a fight, which was an acknowledgement of the workers’ that had got this far from strength through unity. The union symbolically took back the power by reinstating the strike and gave workers the chance to reinforce morale by marching their demands to the Embassy and Bridgestone.

While Bridgestone might have gained marginally for its profit line at the expense of workers, it has suffered a massive loss in terms of employee good will and industrial relations in general, tarnishing the image of the company internationally. NUMSA has acted in good faith throughout this dispute and the extent of solidarity shown between workers has been impressive. Bridgestone workers know that was only the intransigence of management that resulted in their unnecessary suffering. They have not lost sight of the fact that the original strike achieved its objectives in the industry and for the vast majority of the Bridgestone workforce.

NUMSA General Secretary Irvin Jim acknowledges the fight put up by Bridgestone workers, "We thank our members at Bridgestone who, together with their shop stewards, demonstrated solid unity for an extended period of time, resolutely fighting back against brutal union bashing by their employer. They have sent out a clear message, there are active committed union members at Bridgestone and NUMSA has effective organising power at these plants." He goes on to say, "Just because workers have gone back, doesn’t mean the union and members accept the unilateralism of Bridgestone. Our struggle is not over, we are prepared to take on this exploitative employer again and again until we have victory for workers."  

KOREA:  On Tuesday, May 24 over 3,000 riot police came to scatter five hundred workers engaged in a sit-in protest at Yoosung Enterprise factory in Asan, about 90 kilometres southwest of Seoul.

Back in 2009, the company signed an agreement with the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU) undertaking to eliminate night shifts, which caused a lot of injuries and sleeping disorders among the workers, and to introduce a two day shift with a monthly wage system starting in January 2011. Despite more than ten bargaining rounds with the employer on how to practically implement this agreement, no agreement was reached and on May 17 and 18, 2011 the KMWU held a vote on whether to take industrial action. The 78 per cent vote in favour legally enabled collective action and on May 18 in the afternoon the union held a two hour strike with daytime shift workers.

On the same day, late in the evening, the company reacted by announcing a lockout against the local members and some 30 thugs surrounded the factory and tried to prevent night shift workers from entering the site. With the help of their day shift colleagues the workers managed to enter the factory.

A couple of hours later, in response to the censuring rally organized by the workers, at 10 pm some of the hired thugs ran a minivan into a gathering of workers injuring some 13 workers. They drove away and ditched the van and police later confirmed the minivan had a business card in it advertising a group of thugs "specialized in industrial dispute and tenant eviction".

Also during the lockout, KMWU discovered company papers documenting its long-term union busting plan for the factory, including seeking to induce a strike, impose a lockout, and blockade the factory with thugs, thereby provoking violence and subsequent oppression by police at the factory.

From May 19 to May 24 around five hundred workers remained in the factory demanding withdrawal of the lockout and protesting against the union busting actions of the company. This action was violently broken up by riot police. The KMWU believes the same type of union busting strategy is used by other automotive components employers including Valeo Mando, KEC and Sangshin Break.

Yoosung Enterprise Co. Ltd is a key supplier of four major Korean car assembly companies, including covering up to 70 per cent of Hyundai-Kia Motors needs in piston rings for production of the company’s diesel engines. Yoosung currently employs almost 750 workers of whom 570 are unionized, the company’s sales amount to US$220 million with net profit of US$11 million yearly.

PERU: The Peruvian Mining and Steel Workers’ Federation (FNTMMSP), an affiliate of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM), calls for a national strike, starting on May 30. In a meeting with Lucho Castillo, FNTMMSP General Secretary, held in the Federation’s office in Lima, he explained to a delegation of the International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF) on May 21 that the union has the following three demands:

• approval by the Congress of the bill that deals with a special retirement scheme for those who work in mines (bill number 847-2006-CR),
• approval by the Congress of the bill that guarantees profit sharing for all the workers, both permanent and temporary and subcontracted workers (bill number 1670-2007), and
• a solution to the long standing conflict in the region of La Oroya with the company Doe Run.

The union Federation expects that the strike will be widely supported by rank and file members as these three issues have long been the demand of the workers.

The IMF delegation, led by Assistant General Secretary Fernando Lopes, expressed its full support of the strike and is calling for international solidarity.

The IMF also discussed with the Federation the necessity for future cooperation in the context of the creation of the new global union resulting from a merger of IMF, ICEM and International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF).