IndustriALL expresses concern at US withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement

This has global implications, and is against the interests of workers, their families and their children, and the communities that depend on them.

The USA's leadership, by slowing progress in addressing climate change, have put the entire future of humanity at risk.

Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement will not bring back coal mining jobs.

Technological change has ensured it does not take as many workers to produce a tonne of coal in 2017 as it did in the 1950s. The economics of energy have shifted. It is already cheaper in many cases to produce electricity from wind, or solar. Most investors are not interested in sinking their money into a “sunset industry”, and would rather invest in renewable energy projects that have a more certain future.

The USA will no longer be committed to the Paris Agreement's expectations that governments create a Just Transition for affected workers in coal mining communities. This will weaken the ability of trade unions to negotiate good deals for affected workers when faced with the industrial transformations that are inevitable.

The USA is ceding leadership in tomorrow's technologies to countries that are actually prepared to invest in research and development, for example in the Asian region, and particularly China. China already owns key technologies in renewable energy.

On climate change, the science is clear, and irrefutable. The scientists of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have probably understated the problem. Urgent action is required.

Reaching the Paris Agreement was the culmination of over 20 years of difficult negotiation. It is an imperfect document but still a major step forward. Many of the compromises that it contains were put there by the USA, with reluctant acceptance by other countries to keep the USA in the Agreement.

Already, other countries have indicated that they will sideline the Trump administration, and work with each other, and with US corporations and local politicians, to implement the agreement.

US President Trump has apparently not considered that other countries might impose a countervailing tariff on American goods for being unfairly subsidized by lower carbon costs. Trump has also not considered the size and importance of the green economy to the US, or the fact that across the US, corporations, as well as politicians at state and city level, have pledged to honour climate commitments.

At the Executive Committee meeting in Frankfurt in May 2016, IndustriALL Global Union adopted an ambitious policy document, committing the organization, and its affiliates, to work towards a Just Transition. IndustriALL Global Union is committed to leading the trade union struggle for a just and sustainable future. In practical terms, this means supporting the move away from fossil fuels through programmes that ensure jobs, skills and communities are maintained, and that workers are not forced to pay the price.

“IndustriALL Global Union and its affiliates will continue to demand sustainable industrial policies and Just Transition programmes from companies, local authorities and national governments”, said Valter Sanches, general secretary of IndustriALL.

“The broad coalition of interests who recognize that climate change threatens our existence on this planet will work together despite the decision of the US leadership.”

“There are no jobs on a dead planet.”

Iraqi parliament urged to reject illegitimate trade union law

Trade unions in Iraq made 28 legal observations on The Draft Law on Professional Federations and Unions, which was drawn up by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs without consultation with unions.

However, all their observations were ignored and it has now been ratified by the Council of Ministers and submitted to the Council of Representatives (parliament).

As part of the 28 observations, unions say the draft law fails to give a proper description of a union. Neither does the draft law indicate any legal protection for organizations and individual members to exercise their union work, nor does it mention the prohibition of discrimination against union members.

Hassan Juma, President of IndustriALL affiliate, the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions, says:

The Ministry's disregard for the position of the trade union movement and the insistence on submitting such a draft, which contravenes Iraqi laws and international conventions, is motivated by some political forces that do not want the independence of trade union organizations and do not believe in trade union pluralism, especially in the public sector. We strongly reject any interference in trade union affairs and restrictions on trade union freedoms.

Instead, IndustriALL and its Iraqi affiliates are calling on the parliament to consider a draft proposal called Trade Union Freedoms, which was submitted earlier by the Iraqi unions to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

In a letter to Iraqi members of parliament, IndustriALL’s general secretary, Valter Sanches, said:

“IndustriALL Global Union calls on the parliament of Iraq to reject the draft bill on Law of Professional Federations and Unions, and instead adopt the trade unions sponsored draft, including the 28 observations from December 2016. In addition, we take this opportunity to call on the parliament of Iraq to accelerate the process of ratification of Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize.

“We strongly urge the parliament to move forward on the basis of the input from the trade unions to ensure that any new legal framework affords workers their legitimate and fundamental rights under national and international law.”

IndustriALL has nine trade union affiliates in Iraq, and Hashmeya Alsaadawe, President of the General Union of Electricity Workers and Technicians, is a member of IndustriALL’s Executive Committee.

Kazakh trade unions at ArcelorMittal strengthen their position

The participants represent workers of  the metallurgical company ArcelorMittal in their countries. The German delegates will help colleagues from Kazakhstan to become participants of the meetings of the ArcelorMittal European Works Council.

Metallurgical Workers' Union Zhaktau and Miners' Union Korgau at ArcelorMittal Temirtau are IndustriALL affiliates through the Trade Union of Workers of Mining and Metallurgical Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, whose leaders also participated in the meeting.

Currently the unions are negotiating the collective agreement at the plant, which employs about 29,000 workers. The local currency KZT lost more than half of its value over the past two years, after Kazakhstan switched to a free floating exchange rate for its currency. The union members reasonably demand a wage increase of 30 per cent.

Excellent company results this year allow the demand to be fulfilled. According to the official report of ArcelorMittal for the first quarter of 2017, the plants in Dofasco, Canada, and in Temirtau are the best enterprises in the sphere of production, where record levels have been achieved. Kazakhstan workers produced 1,222 million tons of iron and 1,296 million tons of steel from January to April 2017.

The unions also support their Ukrainian colleagues, who demand a wage increase of 50 per cent at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih. 

Agency work was identified as a common problem for Kazakh and German workers. It is the most common cause of labour disputes with ArcelorMittal Temirtau. The unions hope that the law on banning agency work in Kazakhstan will be adopted in the near future. Michael Bach, coordinator of ArcelorMittal, said that the number of employees with precarious work was 30 per cent in Germany. However, wages of agency and permanent workers are the same. 

IndustriALL regional secretary Vadim Borisov stated:

“The Labour Code and new law on trade unions have weakened the role of unions. On the other hand, there was an one-sided strengthening of the employer’s position in Kazakhstan. Therefore, we are interested in strengthening the position of trade unions through the development of direct contacts with unions around the world”.

The participation of Zhaktau and Korgau union members in the meetings of ArcelorMittal European Works Council, at least as observers, will be a critical step in this direction. The same position was expressed at a similar meeting by the leaders of the Trade Union of Workers of Metallurgical and Mining Industries of Ukraine at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih. Michael Bach will appeal to German colleagues from ArcelorMittal and the members of the European Works Council to resolve this issue.

Earlier the trade unions of Kazakhstan and Ukraine appealed to the management of ArcelorMittal with a proposal to conclude a regional framework agreement, but have not received an answer. In light of the recent change in the leadership of the company, and particularly the designation of a new general director of the Kazakhstan and Ukrainian enterprises, there is an opportunity to raise a question of a common agreement one more time. 

Finally, there was an idea about further exchange of delegations. The German side will consider the issues of preparing a future visit and will return to Kazakhstan with a larger delegation.

Turkish glassworkers fight strike ban by remaining in factories

This remarkable action comes after the Turkish government banned legitimate strike action in a dispute over wages and other working conditions. Şişecam has increased its profits by 164 per cent, but not made a serious wage offer.

When IndustriALL affiliate Kristal-İş announced its intention to strike on 24 May, the Turkish government issued a decree banning the strike, on the grounds of national security. The union believes the banning comes at the request of the company, which refuses to come to the bargaining table for serious negotiations.

Nine Şişecam factories across Turkey are organized by Kristal-İş, and union members are taking the action of not leaving their workplaces in all the nine.

The workers are not breaching legislation with their conduct. By working to rule, slowing down production from time to time, and not leaving their factories, they are sending a strong message of resistance to the company and government, and building popular support.

The factories run three shifts. At the end of each shift, instead of going home, the workers hold demonstrations and meetings before sleeping on site. Workers have erected tents in the factory grounds, or bedded down in the canteen.Workers’ families and communities are showing full support for the actions. Small business owners in the workers’ districts have expressed their support, and mosques have provided food. Opposition political parties and local politicians have also backed the occupation.

Workers at other enterprises have taken solidarity action, including other IndustriALL affiliates, because the growing repression of unions in Turkey affects all workers.

Kristal-İş general president Bilal Cetintas said:“Just because we asked for a wage to live, this global giant wants to punish and deny us our share of the company that we created, that exports goods to hundreds of countries.

“We didn't bow, we went on strike, and they knew we had the right. The went to the government behind our backs to use anti-democratic methods to suppress our rights.”

IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriAll Europe general secretaries, Valter Sanches and Luc Triangle, have written to the Turkish government to condemn the banning of the strike, as well as to Şişecam, calling on the company to negotiate with the union.

They said:

“We call on Şişecam to address the legitimate demands of the workers, refrain from any acts of intimidation, harassment, or retaliation, and, rather than using the government's ban decree as an excuse, you should instead engage in good-faith bargaining with Kristal-İş.”

Şişecam was founded in 1935, after Kemal Atatürk proposed the establishment of a glass industry in Turkey. The company has become one of the biggest glass producers in Europe.

“Glassworkers in Turkey have built a strong militant union tradition over the decades. These remarkable actions put their stamp on the agenda of Turkey today, uniting workers and communities,”

said Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary.

“IndustriALL expresses its determination to the world that Turkish glassworkers are not alone.

“They should continue to resist.”

Take Action

Take a picture of yourself holding a solidarity banner and share it with the striking glass workers' on Twitter: @cam_iscileri_ or Facebook: Cam İşçisinin Grevi Engellenemez, using the hashtag #direnşişecamiscisi.

Freeport Indonesia’s abuses continue at smelting plant

More than 300 workers at PT Smelting, which is jointly owned and operated by Freeport-McMoRan’s PT Freeport Indonesia and Mitsubishi Materials, have been laid off after taking strike action on 19 January 2017. 

PT Freeport Indonesia supplied almost 90 per cent of PT Smelting’s concentrate requirements in 2016.

As with the 2,000 workers sacked at the massive Grasberg gold and copper mine in West Papua, PT Smelting claims that the 309 workers voluntarily resigned by taking part in the strike. None of the striking workers have been paid since then. The company has also refused benefits and rights to the family of one of the strikers who since died.

The dispute arose after PT Smelting contravened the collective bargaining agreement over wages without consulting unions. IndustriALL affiliate, the Federation of Indonesian Metal Workers' Union (FSPMI), is one of the independent unions representing workers at the plant.

PT Smelting has failed to meet the local labour requirements for mediation and has referred the dispute regarding the layoffs to the industrial relations court in Gresik. The 309 workers, who include union leaders and members, have now been summoned to court for a trial beginning on 31 May.

PT Smelting has also refused an offer of mediation from the National Commission of Human Rights of Indonesia.

Unions are calling on the Japanese President Director of PT Smelting, Hiroshi Kondo, to enter into dialogue to solve the conflict. They want the company to reinstate 309 workers who have been unlawfully dismissed and comply with the Collective Agreement and Joint Working Agreement. The union is also demanding that PT Smelting provide benefits due to the wife and children of deceased worker Agus Setiawan.

IndustriALL’s general secretary, Valter Sanches, said:

We urge PT Smelting to immediately drop the court proceedings against more than 300 workers and reinstate them. The government of Indonesia must also intervene to prevent the dispute from escalating further and stop the callous termination of workers’ contracts, which is in complete violation of international labour standards, including the right to strike.

Facts:

Workers in Australia celebrate victory at Fletcher Insulation

The 90 glass wool workers, who are members of IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU), will return to work on 1 June 2017. They managed to win key improvements in their working conditions after their employer threatened to strip benefits, force redundancies and bring in labour hire contractors.

Throughout the strike action, the Dandenong plant management threatened to dismantle workers’ previous enterprise bargaining agreement and force all employees back on an agreement that would halve wages and remove almost all their entitlements.

IndustriALL has expressed solidarity with Fletcher Insulation workers since the strike began on 17 February. IndustriALL’s executive committee adopted a special resolution in support of AWU members on strike at Fletchers Insulation in Australia at its meeting in Geneva, Switzerland in April.

Commenting on the results of the strike action Daniel Walton, National Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union representing Fletcher Insulation workers said:

“Holding out for 96 days is an incredibly hard thing, requiring real solidarity and real bravery.

“I know the support these workers received from around Australia and the globe gave them the energy and hope they needed to continue during this testing period.

“By holding tight these workers were able to shift management from a range of extreme positions that were being proposed. Our whole union has nothing but respect and admiration for their courage.”

In commemoration of the Fletcher workers’ victory AWU produced a short video with the results of the strike https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyJaFzN3v08.

IndustriALL General Secretary Valter Sanches said,

“We congratulate wholeheartedly all the Fletcher Insulation workers with this victory. Thanks to their unity, resolute efforts and courage, the solution of this conflict has been in favour of employees and their families. We are very glad that the global solidarity actions, carried out by IndustriALL and our affiliates worldwide, contributed to this victory.”

Attempts to form unions met with violence in Bangladesh

On 27 May, local goons threatened and physically attacked workers and leaders of a proposed union in front of the factory gate. The violence continued the following day as workers and union leaders were again beaten and warned that, if they continue to organize unions, they will be killed. The local police force present watched as union leaders were assaulted.

The attackers even went to union leaders’ homes and threatened family members. One union leader's wife was threatened at knifepoint and another leaders’ brother was kidnapped and later released.

Many union leaders have taken refuge in the union office, out of fear of further attacks exposing their families to violence.

IndustriALL affiliate, the Bangladesh Independent Garment Workers Union Federation (BIGUF) has been trying to form a union since early 2016 at the Orchid and Savar factories, located in the same building.

In March this year, workers filed a fourth registration application for Savar Sweater Ltd. Sromik Union with the membership of 2,200 workers, and in April for Orchid Sweater Ltd. Workers Union with 1,760 membership. The application for the Savar factory union was again rejected by the labour administration on flimsy grounds and a decision on the Orchid factory union is expected soon.

The Azim Group has a long history of interference with workers’ rights to form union. In 2014, a similar pattern of violence took place at the Global Garment/Trousers factory.

Valter Sanches, IndustriALL General secretary, calls for swift action to end the violence:

“Azim Group’s interference with workers’ attempts to exercise their freedom of association is a clear breach of national labour legislation as well as international core labour standards.

“We demand that the physical attacks must end immediately and that the Azim group engage in genuine negotiations with BIGUF.”

Although Bangladesh has ratified the International Labour Organizations’ Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, and Convention 98 on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining, the government and factory owners have recently been cracking down on the labour movement.

BASF workers protest in India

BASF, one of the world’s biggest chemical companies, has adopted a code of conduct binding all employees of the BASF group worldwide. It incorporates globally applicable standards of conduct including human rights, and labour and social standards, which govern BASF’s dealings with employees and other stakeholders.

However, BASF’s Mangalore plant employees are discriminated against in violation of standards espoused in the code of conduct. Non-union employees who perform similar tasks to union employees, are promoted to posts with higher salaries, better employment benefits and fewer working hours. Such actions violate the principle of equal pay for equal work and encourage workers to disassociate themselves from union membership.

Over a period of time, management’s anti-union strategies have led to a reduction of employees under the worker category from 138 to 78. If a worker demands their rights, they are issued with false warning letters.

Following various accidents at the plant, the local union, which is affiliated to IndustriALL through the BASF India Worker's Federation, is calling for transparency and consultation on the details of the accidents and remedial measures taken by the management. Requests for information have been refused by management.

Union members are also concerned about the recruitment of large numbers of causal and daily hire migrant workers in the production department, where hazardous chemicals are used. The union has called on the company to stop deployment of short-term precarious workers in dangerous work and demanded the company recruit more permanent workers. Allowing precarious workers who are not adequately trained and have less experience to handle hazardous chemicals, lead to accidents and precarious workers often become victims.

Raghuram P C, Vice President of the Mangalore plant BASF workers’ union said, “We are holding a peaceful protest without affecting production at the plant. We demand the BASF management stops discrimination against unionized employees and comply with the BASF Global Code of Conduct. The management must be transparent and hold consultations with the union in good faith.”

BASF workers in other plants located in Thane (Mumbai) and Ankleshwar (Gujarat) also raised similar issues and called on the BASF management to comply with the code of conduct. 

Korean metalworkers demand reforms and respect of their rights

Local union leaders and members gathered in Seoul to hold pre-rally demonstrations in front of the Korean Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Hyundai Kia Motor corporate headquarters in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, and KB AutoTech (Kabwool) corporate headquarters in Seoul before amassing in front of the National Assembly to call on the Moon Jae-in government to enact the three reform bills.

The protesters also marched to the Party Headquarters of the Minjoo Party (Democratic Party of Korea), the Liberty Korea Party, and the People’s Party to deliver letters calling on the parties to enact the three reform bills.

In the opening speech at the demonstration, KMWU President KIM Sang gu stated: 

“There was a flurry of expectations of a changed world after the election of President Moon Jae-in; however, the lives of workers have not changed at all. The aerial sit-in protest of precarious shipbuilding workers continues, and the YPR (Yoosung Piston Rings) and KB Autotech (Kabwool) workers are still fighting union busting…Though the government has changed, our struggles continue."

The union leader referred to the exploitation by large-family owned business conglomerates, known as chaebols, of supply-chain workers and union busting at suppliers like YPR (Yoosung) and KB Autotech (Kabwool) used to reap easy profits. Kim Sang gu demanded to look at the root source of all existing problems and put an end to the exploitative Chaebol structure.

The trade union leader pointed that newly-elected President Moon faces countless areas that need reform but the top priority must be chaebols.

In April, the KMWU carried out a several regional demonstrations demanding reform, which took place in Ulsan, Daegu, Busan, Cheongju, Incheon, Changwon and Cheonan.

In a letter to the new Korean leader, Valter Sanches, IndustriALL General Secretary, congratulated President Moon Jae-in on his election and said: 

“The Korean unions affiliated to IndustriALL have jointly called on your new government to reverse the accumulated abuses of the old regime. We wholeheartedly agree with our Korean affiliates that reform of the chaebol and a ban on union-busting activities committed by chaebol conglomerates in collusion with the previous government are central to this reform, and IndustriALL and its affiliated unions worldwide have been standing in solidarity with the Korean unions on these issues for years.”
 

While on a mission of solidarity to South Korea, the International Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Sharan Burrow paid a visit to Han Sang-gyun, president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions imprisoned for three years on politically motivated charges.

Delivering a message of hope from Han Sang-gyun Burrow said: 
 

“At the end of the candlelight revolution both the leader of the union and the corrupt president are in jail, but while one is embittered the other is full of hope for a new era of rights, just wages, corporate reform and decent work for Korean people.”

Palestine and Israel: increased union cooperation and solidarity

The visit in Palestine covered a lot of ground with the PGFTU, Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions and IndustriALL affiliates in metal, mechanical engineering, petrochemical, textile and electricity sectors.

In addition to the affiliates’ meeting, the mission included visits at checkpoints, plants, refugee camp, meeting with Minister of Labour and observations the Separation Wall, settlements and industrial zones around Nablus, Ramallah and Qalqilya. An industrial exhibition in Nablus also provided an opportunity to meet with Palestinian entrepreneurs.

At a press conference in Nablus, Shaher Saeed, PGFTU general secretary said:

This international solidarity visit from IndustriALL Global Union is important for us.

IndustriALL's Assistant General Secretary Kemal Özkan said:

Together with the global union movement, IndustriALL re-affirms its commitment for a fair, lasting and immediate peace consistent with United Nations Resolutions 242 and 338. A two state solution is essential for long term peace.

Özkan also referred to the 2014 ITUC Congress Statement, which denounces the occupation of Palestine, and pledges to mobilize for a just and sustainable peace agreement between Israel and Palestine, in accordance with international law.

The mission observed frustration, disappointment and despair due to the delayed peace process. The construction of new settlements increases tension. Economic activities and working conditions in the settlements were identified as important problems. In the international community, there is an increasing trend to support actions impeding the expansion of illegal settlements and to restrict access to financial support when used for their growth.

The economic and social conditions for Palestinian workers are quite harsh in the West Bank and Gaza. Mamoun A. Abushahla, Ministor of Labour of Palestine, particularly referred to difficulties for those living in Palestine and working in Israel. According to his report, 140,000 people work behind the green line; 50,000 with permits while the overwhelming majority rest is employed illegally and lacks protection.

New trade union legislation is under way, with the support of the International Labor Organization (ILO). IndustriALL Global Union expressed its support for this important development based on demands from PGFTU.

At the end of the mission, it was agreed with affiliates that IndustriALL will continue its support in capacity building, union growth, and encourage broader participation in IndustriALL’s campaigns and actions. The affiliates decided to create a national affiliates’ council under the auspices of PGFTU, focusing especially on women and youth networks and social protection.

In Israel, IndustriALL met with the General Organisation of Workers in the Land of Israel (Histadrut), who were preparing to elect a new presidency. The Histadrut president is directly elected by the rank-and-file-membership, and these elections are the second largest elections in the country after the general elections.

Established in 1920, before the state of Israel was founded, Histadrut supports the peace process and promotes co-existence in the region. The organization supports workers across all communities in Israel and fight for their rights. Histadrut believes that a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, living side by side with secure and recognised borders is the only way to end the ongoing conflict.

In 1995, Histadrut and PGFTU signed an agreement where fifty percent of all dues from Palestinians employed by Israeli employers are remitted to the PGFTU. Histadrut and PGFTU are co-operating at confederation and union levels. There is extensive cooperation especially in the construction sector.

During the visit IndustriALL met with its Israeli affiliates Publishing, Communication, Artists, Energy & Tour Guide Workers’ Union; Textile Workers Union and National Union of Metal, Electric & Electronic Workers. Over the last couple of years, IndustriALL has supported several campaigns in Israel, such as the cases at Natural Gas and Israeli chemical companies.

IndustriALL also met with the National Union of Pharmaceutical and Food Workers and the Chemical Workers Union, representing among others workers at Teva, the world's biggest generic drugs producer. IndustriALL affiliates represent workers at Teva in many countries.

At the end of the mission, it was agreed with Israeli affiliates to work on a number of different topics, starting with precarious work, as rampant phenomenon in Israel as in the rest of whole world.

It was a moving, emotional and constructive mission,

said Kemal Özkan.

IndustriALL Global Union will continue to work with the ITUC and other global unions on general policy matters. In the meantime, we will reinforce our cooperation with affiliates in Palestine and Israel and encourage dialogue and cooperation between our affiliates belonging to PGFTU and Histadrut.