Goodyear global union network supports Unite’s struggle

The Birmingham meeting was held in the shadow of Goodyear's decision to close the Wolverhampton site in the UK, a devastating blow to the over 300 strong workforce and to the local community. IndustriALL Global Union affiliate Unite the Union, representing workers at the site, believes that all avenues should be exhausted before there is am irreversible decision to close the plant. Goodyear has been associated with Wolverhampton for almost 90 years, and it is the first Goodyear site outside of North America.

Gerard Coyne, West Midlands regional secretary of Unite, addressed the meeting and gave details about the closure.

Unite the Union has been in formal consultation with Goodyear Dunlop UK on the proposed closure of its Wolverhampton facility. An independent study was commissioned to examine and assess the decision to end production in Wolverhampton. However, the company has been unable to answer questions relating to possible alternative volume allocation or on the discrepancies between the cost of restructuring and the cost of the project as disclosed to the market.

The global union network made a strong statement in support of Unite and its members in Wolverhampton. In his letter to the CEO of Goodyear, Jyrki Raina, IndustriALL’s general secretary said:

“We truly believe that the site is viable; in consequence, we call on Goodyear to carefully examine all avenues to ensure a continuation of production at the Wolverhampton site.”

At the time of the meeting, the network meeting received a report that Goodyear workers in Colombia went on strike permanently as the collective bargaining negotiations failed over differences between workers’ demands and company’s offer.

In its statement of solidarity, the network concluded: “Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Colombian striking Goodyear workers, the Global Union Network calls on Goodyear to sit down with SINTRAINCAPLA for good faith negotiations with a view to find a proprer solution to address the demands of the union members.”

The Goodyear union network meeting analyzed global trends in the tire Industry, Goodyear’s current state of affairs with the economic situation, investments, and employment. Participants shared their trade union situation in Goodyear operations worldwide. At the end of the meeting, the network identified its way forward over the structure and actions to be taken.

“The Goodyear global union network has again shown its determination at the Birmingham meeting” said Kemal Özkan, assistant general secretary of IndustriALL. “Our support and solidarity with our British sisters and brothers in Wolverhampton will continue”.

Founded at a conference in 1999 in Cleveland, USA, with 100 trade union representatives from 16 Countries, the Goodyear global union network prioritizes the exchange of information and experience, as well as solidarity and support actions through international solidarity.

One worker a month dying at world’s biggest shipbuilder

A total of 16 workers have died in 15 separate incidents from the period March 2014 until October 2015, equaling almost one person a month. 

Local activists will also join the Korean trade unionists at a protest rally and ritual to commemorate the fatalities, taking place at the Broken Chair, Place des Nations at 1pm on Tuesday 17 November.

Workers have been crushed to death, drowned after falling into the sea, and have even been choked to death by their own equipment.

All the workers who died were employed by subcontractors, reflecting HHI’s ‘risk-outsourcing’ policy.

HHI refuses to take responsibility for the deaths of the contract workers even though the workers and their tasks were clearly under the control of HHI.

Paradoxically, HHI’s contributions to industrial accident insurance have reduced by almost US$ 87 million over the past five years because those who perished were working at HHI’s subcontractors, and not directly for HHI.

“HHI is abusing such a loophole to avoid legal responsibility, but it cannot avoid moral responsibility,” said Chang-min Ha, chairman of the Hyundai Heavy Subcontractor Workers’ Local trade union, which represents subcontracted workers working at HHI shipyards and its subsidiaries. “Only Hyundai can improve the working conditions in their own yards.”

The delegation, which includes members of the local HHI subcontractors union, will be at the UN Forum to raise HHI’s appalling health and safety record and to urge business to recognize their responsibility as buyers to protect the human rights of workers in global supply chains, particularly subcontractors.

The delegation will also meet with the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, Lee Sung-ho who is speaking at the UN Forum.

HHI subcontractors union is affiliated to IndustriALL through the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU). KMWU plans to file an official complaint with the Commission outlining HHI’s dangerous working conditions and violations of trade union rights.

HHI refuses to recognize the local subcontractors union and actively tries to undermine the union’s legitimate activities. This includes getting subcontractors to fire and blacklist union activists to prevent them from getting jobs at other subcontractors, and causing subcontractors to close where the union is strong.

Although Korean courts have ruled that HHI has committed unfair labour practices and must take responsibility for the subcontracted workers’ working conditions, the Korean government has turned a blind eye and the abuse continues.

HHI is one the largest chaebols in Korea, the all-powerful multinational conglomerates that dominate the country. Controlling shareholder and ex-FIFA Vice President, Chung Mong-joon, has been banned for six years by the world football organization’s ethics committee.

While in Switzerland, the Korean trade union delegation will also seek to meet with major HHI customer, MSC, which is the second-largest container shipping company in the world and headquartered in Geneva.

GFAs – a tool for union influence in Russia?

Helmut Lense, IndustriALL Global Union automotive director, described the content of GFAs and also mentioned the issues outside the scope of GFA, such as conflicts during tariff agreement bargaining, staff layoff due to economic reasons, shutdowns of enterprises, taking disciplinary action against employees.

“A GFA is not a cure-all, but a way to start a discussion on human and trade union rights – it is a first step for the company to declare its readiness to recognize these around the world. But there has to be further steps for the GFA to become more than a document.

“As a second step, the headquarters unions and local unions have to cooperate closely within the union network to make sure the GFA is implemented around the world. The union network is very important as a way to exchange contacts and information.”

Discussing the fear among Russian unions that work councils may weaken or replace trade unions, the ILO chief specialist on labour inspectorates and social dialogue, Valentin Mocanu said:

“The ILO has developed a set of principles that specify the importance of tripartite social dialogue and the use of all available tools to improve working conditions. Different models exist in different countries. Maybe this tool does not fit here right now, but it should not be ignored as works councils work really well in Germany and France. It can be a tool to develop social dialogue.”

Vadim Borisov, regional representative of IndustriALL in Moscow noted that the majority of IndustriALL’s 48 GFAs are signed with European multinationals.

“And many of these agreements are signed with companies based in Germany. This shows the power of the union as someone who initiates social dialogue and pushes the employer to recognize the union as an equal social partner.”

Oleg Sokolov, FNPR, Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia, secretary, said that complex supply chains and companies’ ability to quickly move production lines to a different country means that it is difficult for unions to influence at a local level and that national tools are often limited:

“This makes GFAs very important in putting pressure on global capital. It is necessary to specify carefully the GFA procedures and implementation mechanisms.

Summing up the results of the meeting, Rudolf Traum-Mertz, head of FES in Russia, said that GFAs are a supportive tool and that local unions in the company’s home country must mobilize to get results.

Participants agreed that GFAs cannot be implemented without a trade union network, and that the next discussion on GFAs in Russia needs to involve the participation of employers and governmental agencies.

IndustriALL, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), the Center for Social and Labour Rights and the ILO Moscow Office organized the event. Among the three dozen participants were representatives of Russian unions, including the Automobile and Farm Machinery Workers' Union of Russia, Rosprofmash and MMWU, as well as union representatives from Ford and Renault, who shared their international experience of GFAs implementation.

Continued violence against protesters in Indonesia

The workers were exercising their legitimate right to protest peacefully against the new minimum wage setting process in Sumatra, Indonesia, when they were attacked. Seven labour activists had to be hospitalized as a result of the attack.  
 
This is the second incident of violence against workers within a few weeks. In October, 25 demonstrators were arrested and many were injured when 35,000 people took to the streets of Jakarta to protest against a new regulation that excludes trade unions from the minimum wage setting process.
 
IndustriALL Global Union general secretary Jyrki Raina says that this is a step back for the democratic process in Indonesia:
“There has to be an immediate end to all violence against workers, and Indonesians’ right to freedom of speech and assembly must be respected.
 
“IndustriALL Global Union urges the government of Indonesia to repeal the new regulation and include trade unions in the minimum wage setting process.”
 
IndustriALL Global Union supports the demands of the Indonesian trade union centres KSPI (FSPMI, Farkes, SPN,KEP, ISI), KSPSI (cemwu), KSBSI (Lomenik, FPE, Garteks) FSBI, KPKPBI, FBLP, SBSI 92, PGRI to: 1) Refuse the government’s regulation (PP number 78/2015) on setting the minimum wage without workers’ involvement;  2) Refuse the formula of the new minimum wage based only on GDP and economic growth (less than 10 per cent); 3) Demand an increase to the 2016 minimum wage of 22 per cent or IDR 500.000 (US$36).

ILO adopts ‘Just Transition’ ahead of COP 21

Formally adopting the criterias for a Just Transition, the ILO governing body has defined essential steps countries should take to transform their economies to a low-carbon future, creating new jobs and supporting workers and communities in high-carbon sectors as industries are transformed.

IndustriALL director for sustainability Brian Kohler says of the breakthrough:

“This will help define Just Transition for the upcoming negotiations in Paris. Any agreement reached at the COP21 will not be the final word but only the start of a journey. A climate deal that supports sustainable industrial policies and comprehensive Just Transition programmes could become one of the greatest opportunities the labour movement has ever had.”

IndustriALL is actively promoting, both regionally and internationally, the view that the world needs a deal on greenhouse gas emissions but that such a deal must be accompanied by strong provisions to protect workers, their families, and the communities that depend on them.

This can be accomplished by adopting sustainable industrial policies, ensuring strong social protection programs, and designing and implementing specific Just Transition programmes. Many of IndustriALL’s affiliates have made strong statements to this effect to their governments, and IndustriALL will deliver this message at the COP21 in Paris in December.

The global labour movement agreed on three goals for the COP21

·      to raise ambition and ensure that concrete steps are taken to reduce emissions in line with the <2 Cº pathway
·      to ensure adequate technical and financial resources are made available to vulnerable and developing nations
·      to secure a Just Transition for workers and their communities, with all that implies in the way of industrial transformation and social protection

Workers reported cracks before Pakistan factory collapse

The tragedy has so far claimed the lives of 23 workers, with up to 150 people still trapped in the wreckage of the factory building in Lahore. More than 80 workers have been pulled alive from the rubble, and some remain in a critical condition in hospital. 

According to IndustriALL sources, workers saw cracks in the building a few days before the collapse and informed management but nothing was done in time.

The factory, belonging to polythene bag manufacturer Rajput Polymer, had reportedly suffered damage during an earthquake more than a week ago and was undergoing building work to have additional fourth storey, allegedly without planning permission.

One witness, who visited the factory on 2 November, said he noticed that an exhaust pipe was damaged because the wall it was fixed to was sinking slowly into the ground. When workers put more pressure on the management about their concerns, they called the owner.  He was reportedly killed while inspecting the factory at the time of the collapse.  

IndustriALL sources who visited the scene the morning after the collapse say family members of the trapped workers had been waiting all night at the scene for news about their loved ones.

The authorities involved in the rescue operation do not know the exact number of people trapped under the rubble as none of the workers were registered, according to reports. Many people also stayed at the factory and workers on the night shift could well have been sleeping inside the building when it collapsed.

Workers say they were being paid less than the minimum wage of 13,000 rupees per month (US$122) and were working 12-hour shifts

This is the second factory incident of collapse in Lahore in a little over two months. In September a garment factory’s roof collapsed killing four workers.

“These incidents are happening because there are no proper factory inspections being done in Pakistan. Factory owners are killing workers by saving money that should have been spent on making workplaces safe. There is no political will in government to implement factory inspections and other labour laws. There was no union in this big factory, which could have raised the workers’ voice and saved lives,” said Kahlid Mahmood, Director of the Labour Education Foundation in Lahore.

“We demand a full transparent, independent, investigation into this tragedy. We urge the Pakistani government to take immediate action to prevent more workers being killed in perilous factories,” said Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL’s assistant general secretary. 

Strong declaration to fight for base metal sector

16 steel producing unions from ten countries met on 4 November in Pittsburgh, USA, to discuss an action plan and strategic goals for the sector.
 
Steel is the world's second largest industry with a turnover of US$900 billion and is projected to increase by 50 per cent by 2050. Yet the current conditions faced by the industry are the worst in a generation. Despite an increase in average steel use over the last decade, overcapacity is a serious threat to the long-term future of the industry.
 
The participating unions called for urgent action to protect jobs and communities from the current wave of industrial destruction that is wiping out industrial jobs on a global scale and systematically eroding workers' rights and working conditions.
 
IndustriALL Global Union assistant general secretary Fernando Lopes says that the steel industry is an important contributor to economies and society as a whole:

As unions we will take action to save the global steel industry and the jobs it creates. We will aim to develop an environment that enables the global steel industry to flourish and steelworkers along with it.

The IndustriALL base metals steering committee decided to nominate Thomas Conway from United Steelworkers and Sanjyot Vadhavkar from Smefi as co-chairs of the sector.
 
The base metal world conference will be held in Germany on 15 – 17 November, 2016.
 

Grupo Mexico to pay 318 million pesos to los Mineros

In Mexico, profit sharing is a constitutional right, where workers are owed a percentage of the profits made by a company. IndustriALL affiliate SNTMMSRM, also known as Mineros, had demanded that mining company Grupo Mexico share their profits of 2007.

According to the decision on 28 October, Grupo Mexico will have to pay more than 318 million pesos (US$19 million) for profit sharing for 2007 to the Mineros’ members of Section 65 from Cananea, Sonora. Each worker will receive a minimum of 100,000 Mexican pesos [US$6,000] and up to 200,000 pesos [US$12,000], according to the seniority in the job, category and salary of each worker.

"It has been a long, difficult and complicated struggle full of pressure, threats, corruption and betrayal from the authorities. However, los Mineros have won another battle against a dirty campaign full of attacks, lies and slander,” says Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, president and general secretary of SNTMMSRM.

"Once again, los Mineros fulfills its commitment to defend and protect the rights and dignity of the workers, and to seek justice against any obstacle or adversity that arises," said Gomez Urrutia.

Fernando Lopes, assistant general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union says:

"IndustriALL will continue to support the miners' struggle for justice, better working conditions and freedom of association."

Uruguayan unions march for rights and decent pay

The march was proposed by the national council of IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in Uruguay, and taken up by other unions organising industrial workers in the country. “It was a great success” said Eduardo Burgos of the National Metalworkers’ Union (UNTMRA).

Hundreds of workers wearing the symbols of their unions marched to Independence Square for a rally outside the offices of the Uruguayan Chamber of Industries (CIU). The aim of the demonstration was to demand workers’ rights at a moment when Wage Councils are discussing pay levels.

“We are not asking for a lot, but the companies say they are in no position to give us anything. The march is the workers’ way of making the companies sit up and give us what we deserve. We will take the steps necessary to achieve our aims”, said Fernanda Calvete, representing the UNTMRA, moments before the rally began.

The Wage Councils for the private sector are currently meeting to set minimum wages, job categories and other benefits. They consider the arguments made by employers and unions in the various sectors of the economy in defence of their interests.

Washington Cayaffa, a leader of the Paper and Cardboard Workers’ Federation (FOPCU) said the sector needs to retain jobs, reach a pay deal that adequately rewards the work done and deal with social issues such as childcare and gender.

Antonio Ferreira, from the Tanners’ Union (UOC) said: “We need a real increase in wages,  a pay rise above the CPI, which we have not had for the last seven years".

IndustriALL was represented at the event by Marino Vani, IndustriALL Assistant Regional Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), who marched alongside local union leaders to proclaim their rights and needs:

“The unity of action of Uruguay’s industrial unions was impressive. The women, the young and older workers were united on the march and gave an example to LAC and the rest of the world. IndustriALL is proud to see class unity in action.  Congratulations to the workers. We support this struggle and all initiatives that seek to build a fairer and more equitable world. Our affiliates and other trade unions deserve the respect and solidarity of all industrial workers in the world”.

CUT youth in Brazil discuss racial equality

The idea of organizing a meeting was the initiative of the industrial unions affiliated to the worker’s centre, CUT. Participants gave their views on the various forms of discrimination faced by young workers and Afro-descendants.

“Youth and the promotion of racial equality are strategic priorities for the Brazilian and Latin American trade union movements. In Brazil, as in other Latin American countries, Afro-descendants and indigenous peoples are the sectors of society most subject to discrimination. For example, Afro-descendant women are paid less than white women and the same is true for men” explained Marino Vani, IndustriALL Assistant Regional Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), who represented IndustriALL at the event.

The young workers heard a range of stories and experiences that illustrated the realities of the labour market, the trade unions and the country’s social situation. They agreed that young Afro-descendant workers are the most affected by Brazil’s economic model. Most of them are unemployed and have no access to education.

The aim of the meeting was to equip the participants with the tools necessary to make a bigger impact in the trade union movement, consolidate their commitment to the class struggle and develop youth policy for the CUT’s industrial sector.

"This initiative strengthens union power. It is important to educate our youth so they can learn about our history and understand why we suffer discrimination. Brazil has made a lot of progress in recent years thanks to the efforts of the trade unions, social movements and governments committed to racial equality. For example, there are now quotas in operation for young Afro-descendants and indigenous people at the universities and in the federal civil service. Although a lot remains to be done, the situation could improve in Brazil with income redistribution and social inclusion. We congratulate the CUT’s industrial unions, affiliated to IndustriALL, for organizing this seminar, and the participants, who are the vanguard at this moment in the history of the world” concluded Vani.