Caribbean unions continue to strengthen outreach and cooperation in the region

The loss of industrial capacity in oil and steel was a major cause for concern. The closures of Petrotrin and ArcelorMittal in Trinidad and Tobago, Alcoa in Suriname and temporary shut down of PDVSA in Curacao have dealt a major blow to the economies of the countries concerned, creating massive direct and indirect job losses affecting workers, their families and their communities.

“In Trinidad and Tobago, for instance, OWTU is trying to stop the government from closing Petrotrin and ceding soverignty over key natural resources to private interests. This same government would have opted to sell of the former ArcelorMittal steel plant for scrap metal if it wasn’t for SWUTT’s insistence on the importance of revitalizing the steel industry.  And because they are standing up for the interests of the people, unions are coming under brutal attack”.

IndustriALL Global Union supports unions in the region who are coming under attack as a result of their efforts to protect jobs and prevent a return to a ‘plantation economy’.

said IndustriALL´s regional officer, Laura Carter.

The meeting adopted statements on Alcoa and Petrotrin, and agreed to make approaches to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Caribbean Congress of Labour on the issue of sustainble industrial policy. Delegates also agreed that their respective unions should take the lead in promoting debate and action on industry 4.0 in the Caribbean region, where there is little awareness of the issue on the part of governments.

The meeting examined the successes and challenges in the countries of the region and discussed the future of work in an era of global supply chains, digital disruption and energy transition. Participants also agreed to continue to strengthen outreach and cooperation with unions in other countries in the Caribbean region.

Delegates discussed how to build union power through organizing and common strategies, and agreed to aim for greater alignment with IndustriALL’s strategies and actions. Unions will take action on November 25 as part of IndustriALL´s campaign against gender violence

The meeting brought together 22 delegates from eight unions in Barbados, Curacao, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, and ended with a visit to the Staatsolie refinery.

South African unions call for a Just Transition to renewable energy

To push for their demands, workers from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) took to the streets of Pretoria on 17 November and marched to government offices at the Union Buildings where they read out a memorandum of their grievances. However, the government officials who were supposed to receive the memorandum did not show up.

Coal powered stations produce over 90 per cent of the country’s electricity and unions are aware of the high levels of pollution. They also know that South Africa is a signatory to the Paris Agreement adopted at CoP 21, but say a plan should be put in place for an energy mix policy that will extend the life of the coal mines to 2030. They are also asking the government to introduce a socially-owned renewable sector instead of giving the mainly solar and wind renewable energy contracts to businesses but not communities. The unions are irked that they were not consulted when 27 IPPs were given contracts.

Irvin Jim, the general secretary of NUMSA, says:

“We demand a Just Transition, which will ensure that workers at coal-fired power plants who may lose their jobs as a result of the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, will be trained and absorbed into the renewable energy sector.”

The unions are also against the privatization of the public power utility Eskom which they say will lead to further job losses. Instead, they are urging the government to facilitate better management of Eskom and to end the corruption that is rife at the state-owned enterprise.

David Sipunzi, the general secretary of the NUM, adds:

“We call on the government to refrain from biting the hand that feeds the state. Scrap the power purchase agreement that favour private capital at the expense of Eskom.”

Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary stresses:

“This joint action taken by NUM and NUMSA is an important example on union solidarity and cooperation. IndustriALL Global Union is fully behind the legitimate and reasonable demands of the unions and  will give every possible support until a fair deal is reached.”

The Just Transition deal reached by the unions and the government in Spain is a model for South African unions. The deal included fair early retirement packages, and additional payments for workers with asbestosis. Provisions were also made by the government for waste management, recycling facilities, water treatment plants, cleaning the air and infrastructure development.

IndustriALL gives evidence to UK parliamentary Select Committee

Select Committees are a cross-party group of MPs who conduct inquiries into areas of government policy and make recommendations for change to Government and others. 

Jenny Holdcroft highlighted the importance of freedom of association and the need for industry-wide change and reform of brand’s purchasing practices at the inquiry held by the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee at the Victoria and Albert Museum.  

“Certainly, our perspective is that you cannot deliver change factory by factory because this industry is too big,” said Holdcroft. “You are working in a highly competitive environment where you have factories competing with each other for international orders and brands competing with each other to produce low-cost clothing to sell on the high street. 

“We need to work together to transform the conditions in the production countries where all of the companies are buying from.”

The hearing showed that there is no one country or brand where it is better to buy clothes:  

“Every company will tell you that freedom of association is respected in their supply chains because they are sourcing from countries that have ratified the ILO Convention on Freedom of Association, therefore everything is okay. Of course, the reality is very different from that. It is fair to say, yes, we are sourcing from countries that, on paper, have legislation. It is not ideal but most of it is not that bad. It is the enforcement of that legislation and this is where companies have a strong role to play.

“The measure for us is to what extent are the companies working with us to solve these issues directly concerning workers. The workers are our members, or should be if they only had an opportunity to join a trade union. 

“The unions, when they try to organize, face every kind of hostility from employers. They get sacked, arrested, beaten up; even killed. It is a huge challenge. What we need companies to do is to send a message to their suppliers that this is unacceptable and if you want to do business with us you have to stop these practices.”

Jenny Holdcroft also talked of IndustriALL’s gold standard of global framework agreements with individual multinational companies to protect workers’ rights throughout their supply chains. In the UK fashion industry, IndustriALL only has one such agreement – with online retailer ASOS. 

IndustriALL also gave a written submission to the parliamentary Select Committee which you can read here. 

Garment brands, including ASOS, will be appearing before the Committee next week to answer questions on their business practices. 

Watch the Committee hearing at the V&A here. 

Bangladesh and India must accelerate ratification of Hong Kong Convention

In the light of this year’s fatal accidents, killing 19 workers in Bangladesh and 9 in India, there is an urgent need to implement the HKC for a safe, secure and sustainable shipbreaking industry in these countries.

For the convention to come into force it needs to be ratified by 15 countries that represent 40 per cent of global merchant shipping and an average of 3 per cent of recycling tonnage.  So far, six shipbuilding countries have ratified the HKC. As China will be limit its shipbreaking activities from January 2019, Bangladesh and India will play a vital role in bringing the convention into force.

Kan Matsuzaki IndustriALL’s shipbuilding and shipbreaking director, says:

India and Bangladesh are key to achieving a sustainable future in the shipbreaking industry. Ratification and compliance with the HKC would bring investment, health and safety training, and more importantly a social dialogue where workers’ voices can be heard.

Vidyadhar Rane, vice chairperson of IndustriALL’s shipbuilding and shipbreaking sector and  Kan Matsuzaki, met with senior officials of Bangladesh’ Ministry of Industries on 15 November. Officials said the government of Bangladesh is pushing hard to improve the situation at yard level in order to meet the requirements of the Hong Kong Convention.

The SENSREC project, a joint venture between the International Maritime Organization and the Ministry of Industries, together with the recently approved Bangladesh Ship Recycling Act of 2017, are concrete steps to this end.

Officials said that they are seeking international partnerships and technical support to bring the country’s ship recycling facilities up to the mark.

On 17 November, the IndustriALL delegation met with the joint secretary at India’s Ministry of Shipping. The discussion revolved around establishing social dialogue and unions’ proposal to solve issues on the ground, as well as intensifying the process to ratify the HKC. The joint secretary explained that a law in line with Hong Kong Convention has been drafted and is ready to be tabled in the parliament. Once passed, this law will ease India’s way to ratify the convention.

Alcoa closure in Suriname: IndustriALL calls for a fair deal for workers

Alcoa has been mining bauxite for 50 years, shipping it to the US for processing. In the 1950s, the company built a hydroelectric dam, a refinery and a smelter to produce aluminium in Suriname. At the time, Alcoa entered into a 75-year agreement with Suriname’s government, the Brokopondo agreement.

For Suriname, bauxite provided a much-needed opportunity to create jobs, develop skills and generate foreign earnings. However, a big company in a small country, Alcoa had the negotiating power to impose a deal benefitting them at the expense of the state.

In exchange, Alcoa committed to maintain operations in the country until 2033 – a promise broken already in 2015 when the refinery was closed. Along with broken promises, Alcoa left behind a broken economy and broken communities.

A tentative exit deal reached with Alcao has been rejected by unions and civil society. Critics say the committee tasked with reaching the agreement has served as a mouthpiece for the company rather than defending the interests of the country.

Calling on Alcoa to come back to the negotiation table

During IndustriALL’s Caribbean meeting, in Paramaribo, Suriname on 12-13 November attended by Minister of Labour Soewarto Moestadja, IndustriALL reiterated the demands of its affiliate C-47 for a fair deal for Suriname and for the workers. 

“Alcoa would never have accepted that Suriname opted out of the agreement. There needs to be an exit agreement that takes into account the interests of the people of Suriname”

said IndustriALL regional officer Laura Carter.

The meeting adopted a statement calling for

IndustriALL Global Union has also condemned Alcoa for its attacks on workers in Spain, Australia and Canada.

Bulgarian unions get organizing boost

The gathering also welcomed leaders of the main national centers in Bulgaria, Plamen Dimitrov, President of CITUB and Dimitar Manolov, President of Podkrepa.

The meeting, which was organized as part of developed cooperation between IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll Europe, covered all aspects of organizing and building union membership.

Union leaders reported that workers are threatened with reprisals or even dismissal if they joined or set up a union, making organizing and retaining members very difficult.

In a number of cases workers have been harassed or penalized because of their union work. Affiliates also acknowledged that union structures had to be reviewed and they discussed where they held the greatest strengths. Some multinational companies, which have global framework agreements (GFAs) with IndustriALL, have production facilities or suppliers in Bulgaria. As experience has shown, GFAs can open up opportunities for organizing and developing social dialogue. 

Participants lamented that employers had “boycotted” the talks on the minimum wage and social dialogue was not functioning properly. While Bulgarian legislation is quite protective of workers’ rights, in reality enforcement is weak. Fundamental rights at work, based on ILO Conventions that Bulgaria has ratified, are abused with impunity. Furthermore, the lack of a legislative obligation to sign collective agreements sometimes makes the bargaining process ineffective.  

Bulgaria has the lowest income per capita in the European Union. If the country is to reduce growing economic and social inequalities, there is a need to promote industry-wide collective bargaining and increase wages. Currently bargaining takes place at plant level and workers in small and medium-sized enterprises are, in the overwhelming majority of cases, not covered by any collective agreement.  

Poor working conditions and low wages are pushing young people, in particular, to leave the country.  The meeting participants highlighted the acute shortage of qualified workers that limits the country’s growth prospects and they called on the government to urgently address the training gaps in key industry sectors, such as engineering.

Participants had a common understanding about the need to prioritize organizing and consolidate union structures to make unions more relevant to their members and better able to meet challenges in the world of work.  In particular, an effective communication plan has to be developed to reach out to potential members and strengthen union presence in the workplace.  

IndustriALL Global Union Assistant General Secretary Kemal Özkan stated:

“Both IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll European Trade Union will continue to support the Bulgarian affiliates in developing their capacity and training activities into the future. This is part of our determined cooperation on our organizing and building union power agenda. This is a very timely initiative since there is a burning need for organizing in Southeast European countries.”

IndustriAll European Trade Union’s General Secretary Luc Triangle stated:

“In order to create a better life for Bulgarian workers, to go for wage levels that allow a decent life, and to create a real future for Bulgaria as a country and for Bulgarian citizens and workers, trade unions have to increase membership and building strong and powerful organizations. Both global and European federations are determined to assist the Bulgarian affiliates with that. Because strong trade unions are the best way to a better life”

Myanmar unions fighting obstacles to organizing

Union busting is widespread in Myanmar; IndustriALL affiliate, the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM), have lost 16 of their 65 company level unions to union busting. A tactic often used is to close the factory during a slow period, thus getting rid of the union, only to reopen under another name a few weeks later with a non-unionized workforce.

Apprentices are often on the workforce, as they are cheap labour, and sometimes work is shifted to non-organized parts of the same company. Union leaders and members are dismissed, or not re-hired after their short-term contracts expires.

In the mining sector, organized by Mining Workers Federation of Myanmar (MWFM), so-called troublemakers are relocated to a different mine, far away from their union work. Unions also report on hired thugs, threatening union leaders with physical violence, and sometimes actually beating them up.

Mines are usually located far away from the larger cities, making union work difficult. Small-scale mining is widespread, as is informal work.

IndustriALL’s union building project, supported by Mondiaal FNV from the Netherlands, SASK in Finland and by FES in Germany, is strengthening the unions through trainings and access to union organizers.

And despite the union busting, workers are organizing. Since 2014, the IWFM has grown from 6,000 to almost 16,000 members. The MWFM currently has 5,500 members, 750 more since June 2018, when the new project period started.

Unions also report on progress on collective bargaining related to salaries and health and safety. In one case, 300 mineworkers had won the right to a paid holiday – the first time in five years. Issues related to women and young workers are given more attention.

With the support of ACT, the IWFM is looking at a sectoral agreement for the textile sector. Currently not all garment companies sourcing from Myanmar pay the minimum wage of 4,800 Kyat per day (US$3), so reaching an industry-wide agreement would be a major achievement in the fight for a living wage.

During a project planning meeting in Yangon on 14 – 15 November, both unions identified work plans for 2019, including:

Bangladesh must keep Accord on Fire and Building Safety

***UPDATE: The Bangladesh High Court has postponed implementation of the restraining order until 6 December.***

The 2018 Transition Accord extends the lifesaving work of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety for another three years, or until Bangladesh’s own Remediation Coordination Cell (RCC) is ready to take over its work inspecting safety at around 1,600 garment factories. 

However, IndustriALL, as a signatory to the Accord, is deeply concerned that the RCC does not yet have the capacity to continue Accord’s work, which has led to a dramatic improvement in safety in the Bangladeshi garment industry. 

Since it was established after the Rana Plaza factory collapse that killed over a thousand garment workers, the Accord has identified more than 100,000 fire, building and electrical hazards of which 89 per cent have been rectified. Over two million workers have been engaged in safety training in over 1,000 factories. 

Jenny Holdcroft, IndustriALL’s assistant general secretary, said:

“Despite immense progress, the work of the Accord is not complete. The RCC is not ready to take on the rigorous safety monitoring system currently implemented by the Accord.

“If the Accord is prevented from having an office in Bangladesh, it will continue to run from Amsterdam. The legally-binding provisions for the Transition Accord signed by almost 200 global fashion brands and retailers with unions will remain in place.” 

A resolution on 15 November by the European parliament called for the work of the Accord in Bangladesh to continue beyond the end of this month, and urged the government to take action to address anti-union discrimination, including acts of violence and intimidation that have become increasingly prevalent in the country.

Global Glass Alliance and Owens-Illinois glass network launched in Perrysburg, Ohio

The GMP was formerly a separate union which joined the USW through merger. Joint work in the glass sector is organized in the alliance, representing over 90 per cent of the unionized glass workers in the USA.

Participants from North America, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France gathered at the invitation of IndustriALL Global Union and its North American affiliate the USW for the Perrysburg meeting, near the Owens-Illinois headquarters.

On the first day, USW International Vice President Fred Redmond addressed the conference, honouring the USW global glass aliance and the Owens-Illinois global union network.

The participants had exchanges over global networking and social dialogue and the importance of cross-border solidarity. They also discussed the different systems of workers’ representation worldwide. They adopted a resolution, demanding global social dialogue in Owens-Illinois and a solidarity position on Brazil. In addition, the delegates set up a steering committee for the Owens-Illinois global network.

On the second day, company representative Gary Morgan, Owens-Illinois director of labour relations for the Americas, addressed the meeting and discussed global social dialogue with the international guests.

The global glass alliance also invited representatives from other glass companies and discussed their needs and questions.

Matthias Hartwich, IndustriALL director for the mechanical engineering and materials industries, stated: 

“This is a historical meeting – not only for the USW global glass alliance, where GMP and USW glass makers come together in one organization, but also for the Owens-Illinois global union network – we made a huge step forward and also sent a strong signal to Owens-Illinois’ management that we want social dialogue. Let’s hope that the management responds accordingly.”

Bruce Smith, GMP council chairman, USW, said:

“The USW GMP council local unions and staff are very proud and appreciative of having the opportunity to participate in this historic global glass container conference with our sisters and brothers from the USW glass conference and our global labour partners as we continue working together to improve our reach, sophistication and preparation to match and exceed that of our employers with whom we bargain.”

And Tim Tuttle, chairman of the USW glass industry conference, added:  

“I’m proud to have been a participant at such a historic conference. Where glass workers from around the world joined together, building power and taking action that is sure to provide a higher degree of dignity and respect for the sisters and brothers of our global family.”

Owens-Illinois, one of the world’s leading glass container companies, is based in Perrysburg, Ohio and employs over 26,000 workers in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

US, Canadian and Mexican cement unions strengthen cooperation in multinational cement corporations

The delegates met in Los Angeles in a USW Local 675 union building. IndustriALL Global Union worked in close cooperation with the Steelworkers who hosted the meeting.

The delegates had an open discussion on shared concerns, including union-busting in the USA and Latin America. During the meeting, they set up a conference call with Vincent Giard, global head of labour relations at LafargeHolcim. They raised several issues which Giard promised to look into and come back with proposals for solutions.

The North America cement network, now enriched by Los Mineros from Mexico, discussed joint future activities and organizing targets, as well as better inclusion of women workers in the sector and in trade union work.

They agreed to increase their exchange over bargaining results and organizing drives to avoid being played off one against the other. Finally, they decided to continue with this close cooperation in 2019 and agreed that the next meeting would take place early in 2019, hosted by the Boilermakers.

Matthias Hartwich, IndustriALL director for the mechanical engineering and materials industries, stated: 

“I am very proud that we have this network – and that it is flourishing and growing. This will help all cement workers worldwide to find joint answers for the challenges in the cement sector and the aggregates and concrete industries. IndustriALL is happy to be part of this and will continue to support this network for North America.”