Algerian unions need solidarity

The military has extended its control on virtually every area of society in Algeria after the ailing 82-year-old president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was forced to stand down in April following mass protests.

The arrests are an attempt to crush independent unions and the civil society movement for democracy in Algeria. Internet access is restricted to stop protestors communicating and organizing rallies, while social media has been flooded with fake news and electronic trolls targeting the protest movement.  Freedom of the press is severely restricted and a major news website has been shut down.

“It’s a terrible time for hundreds of activists locked up for demanding freedom and democracy in Algeria, and it could be my turn tomorrow. For that reason, solidarity matters now more than ever. The world must listen to the voice of political prisoners in Algeria. The world must demand respect for human rights in Algeria,” says Raouf Mellal, who is president of gas and electricity union, SNATEG, and trade union confederation, COSYFOP.

Mellal has been sentenced to prison in abstentia on numerous convictions and suffers daily harassment from the military. In April 2019, he was arrested, detained and tortured by police, and he has been forced to change address and telephone number in attempt to evade threats and intimidation. 

Just this month, Mohamed El Amine Slimani, a youth leader at SNATEG and COSYFOP, was sentenced to prison at a court in Algiers for filming a march by their members. 

Nasser Hamitouche, a COSYFOP member from Algiers, has suffered a mental breakdown after being interrogated by security forces for ten hours on 18 September. He was threatened with prison for violating the ‘unity’ of the country and was told to leave the confederation if he didn’t want to have ‘any more problems’. 

IndustriALL Global Union general secretary, Valter Sanches, said:

“We call on the Algerian government to immediately release the political prisoners and drop all charges against trade unionists. Trade union rights have become virtually non-existent in Algeria. The government must stop the harassment of trade unionists, and guarantee the right to freedom of association, free from violence and threats.”

While new presidential elections have been announced for 12 December, leaders of opposition parties, who have shown support for SNATEG and COSYFOP, are incarcerated.

Louisa Hanoun, President of the Workers’ Party has been locked up since last April, while Karim Tabou, president of the newly formed Democratic and Social Union party was detained on 11 September, released over a week later, before being seized again.

Weekly demonstrations continue in Algeria and there are plans for a workers’ march on 5 October. “We are united by one goal – democracy,” says Mellal.

Indian coal miners strike against privatization of mines

Production was entirely halted

Unions took action to defend public ownership of natural resources and oppose the liberalization of the coal industry by the right wing Modi government. The strike, which was described as “unprecedented” and “historic”, halted CIL’s daily production of 2.5 million tonnes of coal at nearly 600 sites in over 82 mining areas across the country.

Government-owned CIL, one of the biggest public sector enterprises in the world, has the monopoly rights to produce and sell coal. But a decision to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment may lead to more foreign and private companies like BHP and Glencore entering the coal sector. This would weaken the public sector, and threaten the employment of over half a million workers. 

CIL and the Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL) are successful publicly owned companies which together produce 92 per cent of India’s total coal output.

At least 270,000 permanent and 200,000 contract workers took part in the strike called by five coal unions, the Indian National Mineworkers’ Federation (INTUC), Hind Khadan Mazdoor Federation (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Coal Workers’ Federation (AICWF) and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).

Despite unions serving the strike notice on 5 September, the government proceeded with a notification allowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment in mining and the sale of coal, including associated processing and infrastructure operations like coal washing, crushing, coal handling and separation.

The government approached the unions twice, on September 19 and 21, for negotiations, but unions refused to meet, maintaining their stance that until the decision is withdrawn, no further talks will be held.

 

The major demands of the unions are:

  1. Withdrawal of the decision to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment in mining
  2. Unification of all subsidiaries of Coal India Limited into one company
  3. Stop further deployment of precarious workers, and regularize their status
  4. Enforce all the provisions of the sectoral national collective agreement, the National Coal Wage Agreement-X
 

S. Q. Zama, secretary general of INMF (INTUC) said,

“The one day strike is a complete success and unions will meet again and will soon launch nation-wide joint campaign against the Government’s move, if Government will not take serious cognizance of strong sentiments of coal workers and stop their move to denationalize the mining sector and deployment of precarious workers.”

Valter Sanches, general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union said,

“We extend our solidarity support to the Indian coal unions. We call upon the government of India to withdraw its decision to privatize the coal sector. The government should engage with the unions to find a sustainable solution."

Youth camp mobilizes young workers in the Philippines

Twenty six young female and male participants attended the activity on 23 and 24 September, held in the mountainous area of Tanay, to assess progress attained in the past two years and devise an action plan for 2020.

Young trade unionists meet to increase youth participation in unions

The meeting challenged young organizers on how to reverse the trend of low unionization in the Philippines and the lack of appeal to young workers in joining  trade unions.

“We need to win over the propaganda machine inflicted by capitalists on the mainstream media against unions,” said Risher Igrobay, a young, female shop steward from Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Labor Organization.

“Young workers must speak out and use all the available means to get our message to workplaces, the public and to the halls of power. We will spread the word that a union is still the transformative agent of change that will fight for social justice.”

Emphasizing the importance of organizing and recruiting more young workers into the union fold, Girlie Battad, an executive board member from Nexperia Philippines Inc. Workers Union, said: 

“Young workers should know the value of being organized and to know their legal and constitutional rights.”

Reflecting on young workers’ low motivation to participate in trade union activities and join unions, participants came up with innovative ideas to launch projects to attract young workers. 

At the end of the youth camp, participants produced an action plan to encourage more young workers to engage in trade union activities. Young leaders plan to visit workplaces, and organize training and capacity building for young workers.

Gearing up for the 2020 IndustriALL Congress, the participants also resolved to establish a youth structure at national level.

Geraldine Hoggang, a young activist and education officer at Associated Labor Unions, concluded:

“We, the young workers, and youth in general, are often underestimated and told we are too young to understand our country’s issues and too small to make a difference. However, this youth camp reminded me that young people are the ones with the most energy and innovative ideas, and we can actually bring about the social change we want to see in our world.”

The Youth Camp 2019 is an activity under the Building Union Power project with the support of IndustriALL and Union to Union.

Workers at Google contractor to join union

The HCL workers, who work alongside Google employees in Pittsburgh, voted for union representation to have a voice on the job and the opportunity to bargain over wages and working conditions. The successful vote comes off the back of union-busting campaign, which included mandatory meetings and the use of a controversial management consultant.

“We deserve more respect, dignity and democracy in our relationship with our employer. We fought for a seat at the table, and today we won. We look forward to bargaining a contract that reflects our important contributions to HCL’s continuing success.”

said HCL worker Joshua Borden.

The organizing effort began earlier this year through the Pittsburgh Association of Technical Professionals (PATP), a project sponsored by the USW. The PATP’s primary goals include helping Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania workers in high-tech fields connect and communicate with each other about their working conditions, as well as providing support in organizing and collective bargaining.

“I’m honoured that HCL workers chose to join USW and our fight on behalf of all working people. They deserve to have their voices heard. Together, we’ll make sure that they are.”

said USW international president Thomas M. Conway

IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches welcomes the union win:

“This is an important victory for organizing at major tech companies who use temporary workers. It is an important step in achieving the same rights and conditions for contract workers as for permanent employees."

Fresenius Global Union Alliance demands an end to workers' rights abuses

From the floor of German union ver.di’s congress in Leipzig to shows of solidarity across the world, members of the Alliance are taking action on the job and online.

The Alliance is calling for Fresenius to enter into a global agreement to address its track record of failing to follow international labour standards in countries like Peru and the United States.

In the United States, Fresenius has a long history of using third party consultants to stop employees from forming a union at its clinics. The company has paid out more than US$400,000 to “union busters,” who often use fear tactics and other questionable methods to stop organizing efforts. U.S. workers have been forced to attend anti-union indoctrination sessions, and others report “one-on-one” interactions to pressure them from supporting a union.

In Peru, workers have filed complaints that the company is unlawfully using temporary contracts for 258 workers. In addition, workers allege that the regional management at the company’s hospital management division, Quirónsalud, have harassed and targeted union activists. It recently terminated the employment of five activists, and last year, it fired two union leaders—who have since been ordered to be reinstated.

Sofia Espinoza, national leader of the Fresenius union in Peru said, “After we handed out information about the union to colleagues, management told me I would have to ‘assume the consequences’ of leading the union.”

Unfortunately, workers around the world report similar problems throughout Fresenius’ operations. This behaviour is especially troubling because Fresenius announced an expansion of its operations in Colombia, a country with notoriously bad protections for labour unions. 

“Fresenius’ track-record is deeply troubling,” said Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union. “The company has a pattern of disregarding the rights of workers—and international standards—and must immediately take concrete steps to address these systemic problems.”

Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of Public Services International, agreed, “The problems in the United States and Peru are not isolated. They are structural problems with the company and must be addressed on a global level through negotiations with unions and involvement with other stakeholders. Our goal is to ensure that profits are not made from driving down wages and lowering working conditions and patient care.

“IndustriALL Global Union joins the calls on Fresenius to ensure respect for the core labour rights of all employees, everywhere,” added IndustriALL Global Union Assistant General Secretary Kemal Özkan.

In May 2019, more than 50 representatives of employees and trade unions from Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asia met in Frankfurt to launch the Fresenius Global Union Alliance. The Alliance is coordinated by global unions IndustriALL, UNI, and PSI. The unions seek a global agreement with the company covering its 280,000 workers in 100 countries.

Image: Fresenius

Unions condemn rights violations in Zimbabwe

The violations take place against the backdrop of misery brought by austerity economic policies and annual hyperinflation of over 900 per cent, which has eroded wages.

Police are banning demonstrations, and protestors have been beaten in a clear violation of international workers’ and human rights standards. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president, Peter Mutasa, and secretary general, Japhet Moyo, face treason charges that carry a death penalty.

When the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association acting president, Peter Magombeyi, was abducted by armed men from his home in Harare on 15 September, doctors and nurses in major hospitals went on strike demanding his immediate release. Human rights groups and trade unions joined in the campaign.

Following national and international pressure, the government joined the call for his release, suggesting that he was abducted by a “third force” which they had no control over. This explanation was viewed with suspicion, as the Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa had earlier warned at a public rally that the government would go after “those who chose demonstrations”, adding that “their lives will be shortened.”

Magombeyi, who is leading a strike for living wages, better working conditions and adequate funding for public hospitals, was found alive, outside Harare, after five days and is in hospital being treated for suspected torture. The basic wage for a newly qualified doctor in Zimbabwe is $400 Zimbabwe Dollars (US $27) and the government offer of a 60 per cent increase was rejected.

Police beat up anti-austerity protesters in Harare, Zimbabwe. Photo: Lovejoy Mtongwiza.

IndustriALL Global Union’s Zimbabwe affiliates, who organize in garment and textile, manufacturing, and mining sectors, condemn the government crackdown on unions.

The chairperson of the IndustriALL Zimbabwe affiliates, Joseph Tanyanyiwa said:

“We condemn the ongoing abductions and torture of political activists by suspected state security agents and call upon the government to protect citizens against inhuman and degrading treatment. We also condemn police brutality against peaceful civilians and the involvement of the army in crowd control which has resulted in the deaths of innocent people and injuries to many. We call upon the government to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutional and workers’ rights.”

Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub Saharan Africa said:

"We are concerned by the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean government should respect the rights of workers including to freedom of expression and to fight for living wages. Workers should not be beaten up or face persecution for exercising their rights.”

Header photo: Police beat up anti-austerity protesters in Harare, Zimbabwe: Lovejoy Mtongwiza.

Cambodian unions demand sectoral bargaining to achieve living wages

IndustriALL trade union affiliates came together in Phnom Penh on 16 and 17 September as annual wage negotiations between unions, the government and employers continued through the week.

On 20 September, a majority of the minimum wage council voted for a monthly minimum wage of US$187. The government gave an additional US$3 making the minimum wage US$190 from 1 January 2020.

Pav Sina, the president of the Collective Union of Movement of Workers, said:

“Trade unions welcome the result and hope that the ministry will further consider our 13 demands,  which include meal allowances, safer transportation and extension of the minimum wage to other sectors in the country.”  

IndustriALL and its affiliates held two days of meetings and discussed strategies for achieving a living wage through linking brands’ purchasing practices with a sectoral collective bargaining agreement.

The affiliates welcomed the ACT brands’ purchasing practice commitments as they agreed that poor purchasing practices lead to excessive overtime, underpaid wages and short-term contracts.

In a roundtable discussion “Towards a living wage” IndustriALL affiliates together with major brands sourcing from Cambodia (H&M, Inditex, Primark, Next and Fastretailing) discussed how to achieve better wages in the Cambodian garment sector.

Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL’s director for textile and garment, said:

“Sectoral bargaining has the potential to address all union demands by building sector specific wages and conditions on top of the minimum wage and linking these to brand prices, something that the minimum wage cannot do.”

Athit Kong, President of CCAWU and IndustriALL textile and garment sector co-chair, stated:

“As Cambodian trade unions, we will continue our fight for better wages and acknowledge the support by the 20 global brands and retailers who have made a public commitment to reform their purchasing practices and actively support sectorial collective bargaining. But for a living wage to become a reality for thousands of Cambodian garment workers – brands such as Adidas, Timberland, North Face need to get off the sidelines and make the same commitment to work with IndustriALL and national trade unions."

Annie Adviento, IndustriALL Global Southeast Asia regional secretary added “We support our affiliates in their yearly triparite discussions on the minimum wage and we will continue to support them in their struggle to reach an industry-wide collective agreement and reform the wages and working conditions in the garment sector.”

Protesting workers beaten and detained in Iran

At least 15 workers were injured and many more arrested after security forces used violence to break up a peaceful demonstration. Around 900 workers were protesting against months of unpaid wages and privatization of the company.

Riot police move in on protestors in Arak  Photos: irannewswire.org 

According to reports, demonstrators were able to block the north-south railway line for several hours prompting a vicious retaliation from the Iranian regime’s forces.

Family members of the detainees and many HEPCO workers have gone to the main gate of Arak’s jail to beg the release of their loved ones, who have been detained for a week.

HEPCO, which produces road construction equipment for Iran and the Middle East, was privatized by the Iranian regime in 2017. Since then, workers say wages have been late or unpaid and the once profitable complex has been mismanaged. Furthermore, the workforce has reportedly been reduced from 8,000 workers to 1,000 since privatization.

HEPCO workers held a previous demonstration outside the company offices on 7 September, demanding transparency on the ownership and shareholding status of the company. In October 2018, 15 workers were sentenced to prison and flogging, after being arrested during demonstrations demanding unpaid wages.

Many industrial enterprises have been privatized in recent years under President Hassan Rouhani's administration, often being sold below market value to regime insiders with government-backed loans.  The owners then use these profitable businesses to gain further loans for other un-related enterprises. 

Workers at HEPCO are demanding that the company is returned to public ownership and workers at other privatized enterprises have also come out in solidarity with the HEPCO employees.

IndustriALL’s assistant general secretary, Kemal Özkan, said:

“We urge the Iranian government to immediately release the 28 HEPCO workers detained on 16 September. We deplore the brutal attacks on HEPCO workers who were exercising their legal right to peaceful protest. Violence is no way to resolve workers’ legitimate demands to be paid.”

Photos: Iran News Wire – irannewswire.org 

Unions from five countries meet in Chile to campaign for BHP workers’ rights

IndustriALL Global Union is bringing together trade unions from Chile, Australia, Brazil, Colombia and Peru to strengthen union action and to call on BHP, one of the world’s biggest mining companies, to end to bad corporate behaviour at the expense of workers.

BHP is pushing a strategy to drive down wages and employment conditions in the mining industry, including replacing thousands of permanent jobs with casual labour hire.

Around the world, there are abundant examples of workers under pressure as BHP ruthlessly prioritizes profits at the expense of workers and communities.

IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan says:

“We are uniting workers in the struggle for decent work and to call on BHP to stop contracting out jobs in its operations.

“Through our global campaign, we fight back for safer and fairer labour practices at the worldwide operations of BHP.”

Australian glass workers strike for a fair contract

Workers at O-I Austalia did not receive any pay increase over the last seven years although the company has made record sales and profits during the same period. When the Australian unions approached the company management with an attempt to bargain a new contract in late 2018, they faced with a bad-faith and aggressive bargaining behavior as the company used tactics for stalling the process.

The last contract expired in February 2019. The bargaining demands from workers for the new three-year contract include retaining the existing conditions of employment, a reasonable three per cent annual pay increase and introducing minor technical amendments over the provisions with a view to bring it up to acceptable standards.

Although workers’ demands are reasonable with any controversy, O-I’s Australia management turns deaf ear to their employees and so far refuses to negotiate fairer working conditions.

O-I controls almost nighty per cent of the market share in Australia and registered a revenue of 2.62 AUD billion (US$ 1.78 billion) in the period of 2013-2017. It is reported that the company’s CEO receives an annual 11 AUD million (US$ 7.5 million) compensation package.

According to the unions, during the strike actions, their members at O-I operations were imposed various workplace bans. Workers’ wages have been deducted up to fifty-five per cent despite continued eight-hour working days. Moreover, in retaliation, the company is threatening to lock them out with the termination of the agreement.

Workers continue their fight, and regularly organize weekly pickets and other actions.

To support the striking O-I Glass workers follow two links below: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-striking-etu-members-at-oi-glass and https://www.amwu.org.au/vic_oi_glass

Based in Perrysburg, Ohio, USA, Owens-Illinois Inc. (O-I) is one of the world's leading manufacturers of packaging products, holding the position of largest manufacturer of glass containers in North America, South America, Asia–Pacific and Europe. O-I directly employees 26,500 workers worldwide with 77 production facilities in 23 countries.