ST Microelectronics trade union network demands global dialogue

The STMicroelectronics trade union network was established in 2016, and represents ST workers from France, Italy, Malaysia, Malta and Morocco, as part of IndustriALL Global Union. The purpose of the network is to unite STMicroelectronics trade unions around the world to increase collective power and engage with the company at the global level.

STMicroelectronics is a multinational which employs more than 45,000 worldwide. Because the company operates globally, STMicroelectronics needs to upgrade its social responsibility policy and ensure its effective implementation. The company should also work together with trade unions around the world to achieve sustainable labour-management relations and contribute to a positive public image.

A new CEO of the company will be appointed on 31 May. Therefore, the network today released the following statement:

"The nomination of a new CEO for STMicroelectronics should be an opportunity to define a new development strategy for STMicroelectronics. Means exist to that end: the strong growth of the semiconductor market has enabled STMicroelectronics to experience strong growth of its sales and its profitability, with a net income of $802M (up $165M from 2016). These resources must be used to realise industrial investments, support job creation and ensure a social return for the workers. 

“The ongoing discussions we have between ST trade unions highlight that, across every site, there are several important social issues. There is a great need to improve and reinforce the social dialogue within the company. It is necessary that the new global management of ST negotiate a global framework agreement with the international trade union network to ensure a common base of fundamental rights for all STMicroelectronics workers and to set up a global works council."

Organizing the diamond mining industry in Lesotho

 High in the Maluti mountains of Lesotho, in the Leribe region, at an elevation of 3,100 metres above sea level, operators such as the United Kingdom’s Gem Diamonds Letšeng mine produce high colour and quality diamonds. Although some of the diamonds produced in the mountain kingdom are rated at the highest price per carat production in the world, the lives of mineworkers and communities adjacent to the mines reflect a different reality of poverty.

The Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL) is an active participant in IndustriALL Global Union’s diamond global network, which integrates the whole supply chain of the diamond industry, namely mining, gems, ornament and jewellery production. Major challenges confront the global diamond industry supply chain, including in Lesotho, and building strong unions lies at the heart of sustainable solutions to those challenges.

“The luxury diamond, mining, gems, ornament and jewellery production industry does not reflect the harsh reality of the working conditions suffered by those working in the sector, including women,” said Dan Theko, general secretary of IDUL.

IDUL has undertaken the task of organizing these mineworkers. Recognizing the scale task of organizing in mines buried deep in the remote mountain valleys of the Maluti mountains, IDUL invited IndustriALL and affiliate the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) to assist and participate in its organizing drive.

The organizing drive, conducted in a freezing cold mountain winter, involved a two-day training workshop and an organizing and recruitment drive at British miners Firestone Diamonds’ flagship Liqhobong mine. General secretary Daniel Theko led his organizers in the four-day activity.

Besides the Liqhobong mine, IDUL has identified the Mothae mine, owned by Canadian Lucara Diamond, the Kao mine, owned by Namakwa Ltd of Bermuda, the Letšeng mine and the Lemphane mine, owned by British Paragon Diamonds, for organizing and recruitment drives. These mines are in various stages of development or initial production.

“The diamond industry is under greater pressure to improve its social and environmental performance, while workers face challenges of job security, trade union rights and achieving the decent work agenda,”

says Glen Mpufane, director of mining and diamond, gems, ornaments and jewellery production, who led the organizing and recruitment drive. The Sub-Saharan Africa regional office was represented by regional programme officer Charles Kumbi.

The vision of IDUL is to become the fastest growing mining union in Lesotho. NUMSA has committed to strengthening relationships with IDUL to realize that vision while IndustriALL, through its union building project, will continue to train and to build capacity to this new emerging union in Lesotho. Organizing in the diamond mining sector in Lesotho is a new initiative by IDUL since its formation from a merger process in 2015.

French cosmetics brand Yves Rocher dismisses 100+ union members

Turkish union Petrol-Is, affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union, conducted an organizing campaign at Kosan Kozmetik, who produces for global cosmetics brand Yves Rocher.

In April, local management dismissed 14 members of Petrol-Is due to their union membership. In addition, management continued to pressure and intimidate workers, undermining their legitimate rights to join a union at the plant.

As the workers refused to give up their affiliation with Petrol-Is, management dismissed six more union members on 11 May. On 15 May, Kosan Kozmetik sacked 65 workers over their involvement in trade union work, bringing the total number of dismissed workers to 85.

The situation in Turkey is deteriorating; local management of Yves Rocher continues to dismiss union members and as of 18 May a total of 115 workers have been dismissed.

Petrol-Is and its members are picketing in front of the factory and taking action, and legal steps have been taken for all cases of dismissal as the termination of contracts due to union membership is unjustified.

IndustriALL Global Union is calling on Yves Rocher’s management to respect trade union rights, reinstate the dismissed union members and enter into dialogue with Petrol-İş.

Valter Sanches, IndustriALL general secretary says:

It is completely unacceptable for such well-known global brand not to respect fundamental rights in its subsidiaries. We expect Yves Rocher to immediately address the situation.

Kosan Kozmetik’s behaviour is in blatant violation of Turkish labour law, as well as fundamental international labour standards, including Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, and Convention 98 on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining of the International Labour Organization.

Based in Rennes, France, Yves Rocher is a worldwide cosmetics and beauty brand. The company is present in 88 countries and employs 13,500 people, not including more than 215,000 people employed through indirect jobs. Kosan Kozmetik employs 400 workers, and produces the brand Flormar, the number one make-up brand in Turkey with a 21 per cent market share. The plant also exports products to the markets of 104 countries, primarily in developing countries.

Latin America and the Caribbean activates its strategic plan for the region

"The theme of the conference, ´Democracy & Social Justice´, considers the current situation of the continent. Threats to democracy persist, neoliberal restoration in Argentina and Brazil, coups in Honduras, Paraguay and Brazil, electoral frauds in Honduras and Mexico, and there is a strong need to elect progressive governments in Colombia and Mexico.”

explained IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches at the beginning of the meeting.

The conference was attended by the deputy minister of Labour and Labour Development of Panama, Zulphy Santamaria, who pointed out that, unlike these realities, Panama is committed to social and tripartite dialogue to ensure respect for labour rights.

Sanches then opened a debate on trade agreements and their impact on workers. They concluded that trade unions must influence the agreements and ensure decent work.

They also stressed the need for solidarity action in countries where serious violations of trade union rights still persist. They held a street rally in defence of democracy in Brazil, in favour of restoring the rule of law, and called for the release of former president Lula da Silva. In turn, they committed themselves to providing solidarity with the workers of Goodyear in Mexico.

The delegates emphasized the importance of spreading IndustriALL's campaign to fight violence against women, and signed the pledge on behalf of each of the trade unions present. They also reinforced the need to reach the 40 per cent quota of women's participation in the executive committee of IndustriALL as of the 2020 world congress.

In addition, a session was dedicated to Industry 4.0 and to the growing need to promote trade unions as political and social actors, in order to achieve a sustainable industry and an energy transition.

Deputy general secretary Kemal Özkan presented the new IndustriALL document on the challenges of Industry 4.0. He explained that trade unions, employers and governments need to promote human-centered technologies and create better consequences for workers.

At the same time, regional secretary Marino Vani presented a new organizational structure, made up of four macro sectors (light industry, mobility, energy and manufacturing), bringing together the 14 sectors represented by IndustriALL. The aim is to strengthen unionization and collective bargaining, and to monitor compliance with global framework agreements and trade union networks in supply chains.

Finally, Valter Sanches announced that the third world congress of IndustriALL will be held in South Africa and indicated that at the November meeting of the executive committee in Mexico City, the working groups for the construction of its programme will be defined. 

In turn, he emphasized that the region will have an outstanding and active participation in Mexico, where he will highlight the transformations that took place in the various countries.

Russia: Dissolution of ITUWA overruled

On 22 May, the second session of the Supreme Court was held to judge ITUWA's appeal against its dissolution.

During the hearing, the union reported that the prosecutor's office of Saint Petersburg had never sent the list of violations with possible remedies. The prosecutor's office insisted on the most extreme measure, demanding ITUWA's dissolution, instead of the suspension of the activities of the union.

Prosecutors argued that there were irreparable violations which lead to the dissolution: Firstly, the union statutes do not specify which constituent regions of the Russian Federation are covered by the organization, which they claimed is in violation of its legal status as an interregional public organization.

Further, the prosecutor's office claimed that members of the union should be united by occupation, and ITUWA includes temporarily unemployed people, retired workers and students as well as workers. According to the union, this is not contrary to existing legislation.

Finally, the prosecutors argued that ITUWA violated the law on foreign agents in connection with political activities, such as the publication of materials against tax increases for truckers, and collecting signatures online in support of modifications to the Labour Code, and assistance from abroad.

The union pointed out that it was not subject to the legislation on foreign agents, that the publication of materials on socially significant issues was its right, and funding from IndustriALL was targeted and carried out within the normal practice of cooperation with the international trade union movement. ITUWA has been affiliated to IndustriALL since 2007. 

The prosecutor's office tried to convince the Supreme Court judges that the liquidation of ITUWA was not a violation of workers' rights, but would aid the creation of a new organization that would meet all the legal requirements. The judges did not credit these arguments and overruled the earlier decision.

ITUWA will hold a congress in autumn to develop a new position on union activities, and may consider changes to the statutes.

Alexey Etmanov, president of ITUWA, says,

“My congratulations to all for the victory! This is the victory for the entire trade union movement, including IndustriALL, the Confederation of Labour of Russia (KTR), as well as the affiliates of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia (FNPR), which supported us. But we have won a battle, not a war. A luta continua! We will not allow the destruction of trade unions, our strength is in unity and solidarity”.

In January, eight FNPR affiliates of IndustriALL issued a joint statement, declaring that the Saint Petersburg city court decision not only blatantly violates the rights of workers and the trade unions representing their interests, but it also moves the proper regulation of trade union activities in Russia out of national and international legal frameworks. IndustriALL affiliates in CIS countries also expressed solidarity with ITUWA.

Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary, comments,

“We welcome this decision of the Supreme Court, which confirms that the activities of ITUWA have always been genuine, legitimate and legal trade union work. However, this is not enough. We expect the Russian authorities to amend the current law on non-profit organizations to avoid such attacks against trade unions and guarantee a legal framework for their activities”. 

Ethiopia: Meeting stirs debate on living wages

With support from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, key players at the discussions in Addis Ababa on 22 May, including the ILO, reminded the government of Ethiopia of its obligations to fully implement Convention 87 on freedom of association and the right to organize. Further, the country should also implement a decent work agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Social dialogue will also stop union-bashing tactics by some employers that include terminating, transferring or demoting union leaders to weaken the union.

The 55,000 strong IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the Industrial Federation of Textile, Leather and Garment Workers Union (IFTLGWU), 56 per cent of whose members are women, says workers should be paid decent wages to live better lives and be able to look after their families.

The Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU), to which IFTLGWU is affiliated, supports the proposal and calls for minimum wages that meet workers’ needs. Government officials, the Ethiopian Investment Corporation, global brands and the Ayka Addis textile company, who were present at the meeting, discussed how decent wages benefitted workers. The government emphasized the importance of social dialogue that included trade unions, employers and government.

With the list of global brands from North America, Europe, China and Asia sourcing from Ethiopia increasing, and 20 brands including Peter Van Heusen, Quadrant Apparel, Epic Apparel and Ontex Hygiene Disposables already sourcing from Hawassa Industrial Park, calls are being made for wages to be pegged using international benchmarks. When fully operational, the park will house factories employing 60,000 workers. However, unions are questioning why they are being denied access to recruit members at Hawassa.

Says Masho Beriku, from CETU’s external and public relations department: “We are fighting for living wages and for Ethiopian workers’ rights. Therefore, we want restrictions stopping unions from organizing to be removed. This will enable us to grow the CETU membership from the current 550,000 to our target of two million. We also would like labour law reforms to protect workers’ rights.”

Ethiopia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Hirut Woldemariam, says in a statement: “We are living in a society and an economy that is driven by globalization. The textile and garment sector is a notable globalized business with high female proportion in its labour force. With the establishment of industrial parks, our country has positioned itself in supply chains in the garments sector”.

The meeting was attended by affiliates from Bangladesh and South Africa who shared experiences on campaigning for better wages and collective bargaining.

Korean union leader Han Sang-gyun released from prison

Brother Han served two years, five months and 12 days of a five-year sentence on charges related to protesting the corruption of the government of former President Park Geun-hye. Former KCTU general secretary Sister Lee Young-Joo remains in prison.

Brother Han was sentenced to five years in prison after being falsely accused of “leading a violent protest” for his part in organizing a mass mobilization of 130,000 people against the Park government in November 2015. This mass mobilization sparked a series of large protests culminating in the candlelight vigil movement and a demonstration by one million people a year later, on 12 November 2016, where IndustriALL was represented by general secretary Valter Sanches. The mobilization led to the impeachment, removal from power and imprisonment of President Park.

On several occasions the leadership of IndustriALL visited brother Han in prison and reaffirmed its commitment of solidarity.

Brother Han was warmly welcomed outside the prison by his mother and KTCU comrades. Flowers and messages of support were received from around the world, and a letter from IndustriALL was read out.

Thanking the international labour movement for its solidarity, KMWU president Kim Ho-gyu said:

“We extend our deepest gratitude to all of you, who have shone the light of international society upon his case through solidarity actions and visits, reminding the South Korean government that the world has not forgotten our imprisoned trade union leaders.

“The spotlight you shone on Han led many in the world to know what it is to be elected a trade union leader in South Korea, and it is extremely moving for the imprisoned to receive your solidarity; however, besides Han there are still many prisoners of conscience in prisons in South Korea.”

IndustriALL Global Union general secretary Valter Sanches recalled taking action with Brother Han in 2009 against Ssangyong, and sent a message to the KCTU, saying:

“We have a long history of struggle together. We will keep fighting until Sister Lee and all the other trade unionists are free from jail.

“The solidarity that we mobilized on behalf of the Korean people to put down the anti-union Park Geun-hye government will continue until we get everyone free from prison.”

Brother Han is a member of IndustriALL affiliate the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU). He was originally an autoworker who led a major strike at Ssangyong Motor during the global crisis in 2009, as well as a movement against mass dismissals and precarious work afterwards.

Han was later elected president of the KCTU. He built a coalition with social forces and led a massive struggle against the regressive labour laws introduced by the Park government in collusion with large corporations, as well as resisting the closure of democratic space.

Although the new government of President Moon calls itself a “government of candlelight” and has promised to respect the labour movement, the KTCU remains concerned that Sister Lee, as well as other trade unionists and prisoners of conscience, remain in jail.

The international trade union movement joins the 800,000 members of the KTCU in warmly welcoming Brother Han back to a world which has been changed by the candlelight movement he sparked.

Pakistan: victims of Ali enterprises factory fire begin to receive compensation

After four years of intense campaigning to secure proper compensation from German retailer KiK, Ali Enterprises’ only known buyer, an agreement was reached in September 2016. According to the agreement KiK paid US$5.2 million as compensation to the victims of the fire.

The joint campaign was spearheaded by the victims, represented by IndustriALL affiliate National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), Pakistan Institute of Labor Education and Research (PILER), IndustriALL, Clean Clothes Campaign, and other allies including UNI Global Union.

The compensation payments have now started and will be paid to the victims by monthly installments through Sindh Employees Social Security Institution. As a redress to the delay in payments, the victims will initially be paid the dues of previous 20 months in a lump sum, while monthly payments will start in August this year.

A committee to monitor the payment process has been formed. The Sindh labour secretary heads the committee with members including victims’ representatives, NTUF, PILER, Sindh Employees Social Security Institution, the employers’ federation and government representatives.

At an event to mark the distribution of the cheques to the victims’ families on 19 May, Saeeda Khatoon, of Ali Enterprise Factory Fire Affectees Association and Nasir Mansoor of the NTUF said:

This is a historic moment for the workers’ movement in Pakistan. International support from the ILO, IndustriALL and Clean Clothes Campaign played a crucial role in winning lifelong compensation to the victims.

They also noted that, Pakistan needs a similar provision like the Bangladesh Accord, a legally binding agreement between unions and global brands to ensure workplace safety in all garment factories.

Jenny Holdcroft, IndustriALL assistant general secretary said:

We appreciate everyone involved in this collective struggle. The long-term compensation will provide some justice and relief to the families of victims and survivors. We acknowledge KiK for taking responsibility and paying the compensation according to the international standards.

Now we need to strengthen our efforts towards a safer garment industry in Pakistan, as we are doing through the Accord in Bangladesh.

According to the agreement life long monthly payment of the compensation would be:

Unions at Gerdau recommit to global struggle for workers’ rights

This was the decision of the Gerdau workers’ world council, which brings together unions representing Gerdau workers across the Americas, at its recent meeting in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Gerdau, the largest steel company headquartered in the Americas, is reducing employment levels through digitialization and pursuing debt reduction through stripping workers’ benefits.

IndustriALL affiliate UOM reported that Gerdau recently built a new, technologically updated plant in Argentina that produces nearly the same amount of steel with half the workers of the old Gerdau plant.

United Steelworkers said that Gerdau has reduced its number of plants in North America from 24 to 12 while still servicing the same customers.

“Our new plant manager wants to get rid of coffee and water in the break rooms to cut costs,” said SITRAGMETAL President Ariel Acevedo, who represents workers at Gerdau in the Dominican Republic. “We hear war drums, and we will not allow Gerdau to rip away our benefits.”

Unions from Dominican Republic, Canada and Brazil reported that Gerdau misrepresents its health and safety performance. Employees injured on the job must still report to work so that Gerdau can avoid reporting lost-time injuries.

Gerdau workers’ world council coordinator and CNM-CUT general secretary Loricardo de Oliveira reported progress in discussions with Gerdau to achieve a national agreement in which Gerdau commits to respect workers’ rights and uphold high health and safety standards in Brazil.

Said Oliveira: “This national agreement, which would also include the Brazilian Steel Institute, would be the first of its kind in the metal sector in Brazil. We hope it will also open space for dialog with the company about international workers’ concerns.”

Loricardo thanked Jorge Garcia-Orgales of United Steelworkers for his many years of service as the Gerdau workers’ world council coordinator. Garcia-Orgales is retiring from USW in 2018.

Unions in the council committed to numerous actions to respond to current challenges. These include educating Gerdau workers about Industry 4.0; involving more women and youth in their unions and in the Gerdau workers’ world council; more frequent communication among unions in the council through regular conference calls and online platforms; a coordinated effort to improve health and safety standards across the company’s operations; and rapid solidarity responses when Gerdau abuses workers or provokes conflict in bargaining.

“Workers at Gerdau are confronting numerous challenges, including the company’s anti-union practices in many countries,” said IndustriALL base metals director Adam Lee. “IndustriALL applauds Brazilian unions for achieving progress toward a national agreement with Gerdau. The Gerdau workers’ world wouncil will work to build on that progress to ensure Gerdau respects workers’ fundamental rights around the globe.”

Ukraine: ArcelorMittal workers protest unsafe conditions and poor wages

On 16 May, the workers of the ArcelorMittal railway workshop came out in support of the workers of Ukrzaliznytsia, the state-owned Ukraine Railway, who have been on strike to demand the creation of safe working conditions since 14 May.
 
Most of the Ukrzaliznytsia rolling stock has been in use since the 1960s, and 90 per cent is worn out. One investigation by the government health and safety authority found 83 violations, with some locomotives not having functioning brakes.
 
The Ukrzaliznytsia workers demand that all rolling stock be repaired to meet technical requirements, that wages are increased to European levels, that early retirement be introduced, and that the board of Ukrzaliznytsia resigns.
 
ArcelorMittal railway workers addressed an official statement to company management, saying that they refuse to operate faulty equipment that threatens their lives. They began work-to-rule industrial action, paralyzing rail transportation and stopping production.
 
Workers who had a day off on 16 May blocked pedestrian crossings on the company premises for several hours. In addition to improved safety, they demand a wage increase from the current 400 euros to 1,000 euros per month.
 
This was also the core demand of all employees involved in the collective labour dispute led by the IndustriALL affiliate Trade Union of Workers of Metallurgical and Mining Industries of Ukraine (PMGU) at the end of March. ArcelorMittal management tried to undermine a workers’ conference where employees intended to discuss their demands to the company by announcing that the venue had changed. The conference eventually took place but the company filed a lawsuit challenging its legitimacy.
 
The company also filed a complaint with the police, accusing the workers of taking illegal strike action. However, the police did not uphold the complaint, as the workers acted within the law. Ukrainian law on occupational health and safety allows workers to refuse to work in case of a high risk to life.
 
Management formed a special commission with participation of a PMGU representative to assess the condition of the rolling stock.
 
Natalia Marinyuk, chair of the PMGU trade union committee at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, says:

“PMGU has repeatedly emphasized that the delay in negotiations and conciliation procedures in general creates a critical situation and drives workers to despair.”

On 14 May, PMGU sent a letter to the CEO of ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, once again expressingthe request to start constructive dialogue with the workers’ representative body and prevent spontaneous protests leading to work stoppages.
 
Vadim Borisov, regional secretary of IndustriALL, comments,

“IndustriALL Global Union calls on the employer to stop delaying the work of the conciliation commission and to come to the negotiating table. Ignoring workers’ interests and demands always leads to protests. People cannot tolerate disrespect for their problems any longer. Therefore, all responsibility lies entirely with management of the enterprise.”