Ansell workers rally and show strength in Sri Lanka

294 workers in Biyagama, one of Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones, are living a hard life. The workers were fired in October last year when striking in support of 11 sacked colleagues and trade union representatives at Australian multinational Ansell, maker of surgical and industrial gloves. Four months of unemployment is taking its toll on the workers.

Athula Kamal, branch president of IndustriALL Global Union’s Sri Lankan affiliate, the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union (FTZGSEU), has worked at Ansell for more than 20 years as a machine operator. In 2013 he was summarily fired. The only reason given for the sacking was telling the police that management was involved when two men on a motorbike assaulted him.

The labour commissioner ruled that Athula should be reinstated. When management refused, workers launched a strike in October, after which close to 300 workers were fired.

“We launched the strike peacefully,” says Athula. “Authorities have ordered Ansell to reinstate the staff but have so far refused to do so. This is now the longest running strike in Sri Lanka.”

Puyumi Philanka Abeywickrama is a shop floor worker and labour activist. She is among the 294 workers who lost their jobs and income four months ago. The family survives on her husband’s salary, but Puyumi says that in many families both breadwinners were employed by Ansell and are now struggling to make ends meet. Donations cover some of the basics, such as schoolbooks for the children, but there are also examples of no money for medication with tragic results.

“I have been employed at Ansell for 13 years; others have put in many more years. Our blood, sweat and tears helped make this company successful,” Puyumi says. “We are not demanding higher salaries, we’re merely asking for our jobs back.”

“I have no faith in the judicial system in this country,” adds Athula. “But I believe in our trade union and its strength. This is where I find the inspiration to continue the struggle. And we will win, on behalf of all workers in this country.”

IndustriALL launched a campaign demanding Ansell to reinstate the 294 workers. So far 11,000 protest emails have been sent to the management. IndustriALL has also lodged a complaint against Ansell to the OECD.

Lower courts have ruled in favour of reinstatement of the fired workers, but the Supreme Court suspended the judgment and instructed Ansell instead to negotiate a settlement with the union.

On a recent mission to Sri Lanka, IndustriALL's general secretary, Jyrki Raina, met with labour authorities and President Mahinda Rajapaksa to stress the importance of reaching a solution in the Ansell strike and ending human suffering. Earlier in February, the labour ministry filed charges against the company for unfair labour practices.

Speaking to Ansell workers in Biyagama on 16 February, Jyrki Raina praised the courage of workers and promised continued IndustriALL support action:

Please stay strong and united. We are informing Ansell’s customers, hospitals and medical centers, that they are getting dirty gloves made by replacement workers, while people are suffering. We will continue to chase Ansell as long as is needed for reaching a fair settlement.

Rio Tinto stonewalls indigenous communities

Residents in nearby indigenous communities believe the lease requires Rio Tinto to operate the refinery in exchange for the right to mine the bauxite.

The refinery closure will destroy over 1,000 jobs, many of those represented by the Australian Workers' Union.

According to a recent report in the Northern Territory News (Australia), Rio Tinto claims the lease is "commercial and confidential".

So much for Rio Tinto's claim that it establishes a culture of trust and transparency with its stakeholders.

Landmark AWU deal with Rio Tinto gives greater job security for workers

IndustriALL affiliate, AWU, has struck a landmark workplace agreement with Rio Tinto covering employees at the company’s Bell Bay aluminum smelter in Tasmania.

The agreement, which was approved by a ballot of workers, means guaranteed pay rises are waived in return for greater job security, with certain conditions of employment protection no longer at the discretion of the company.

Bell Bay became the first major plant in Australia to be deunionised in 1994. A year ago, negotiations between AWU and Rio Tinto resumed after Fair Work Australia found that the majority of Bell Bay workers wanted to collectively bargain for pay and conditions.

AWU national secretary and IndustriALL Executive Committee member, Paul Howes, said the agreement provided certainty for the workers “without creating any adverse working conditions that would damage the company’s performance.” Adding that the agreement “acted as a role model for how workers and employers can work together during tough economic times to make these plants more productive.”

The deal, which has been praised by both AWU and Rio Tinto for its flexibility, comes against a background of falling aluminum prices and a strong Australian dollar, which has had a negative impact on the sector in the country.

Workers will now benefit from redundancy payments above the statutory minimum, medical insurance for families and singles, death and disability payments equal to the employee’s base salary, as well as private arbitration of grievances that cannot be resolved internally.

Rio Tinto is the focus of a sustained campaign by IndustriALL to introduce greater unionisation and better rights for workers at the company and its many subsidiaries around the world.

Claiming to abide by good corporate practice, Rio Tinto’s conduct includes major disputes with trade unions, communities, indigenous peoples and regulatory authorities.

Glen Mpufane, Director of Mining at IndustriALL said:

We welcome this milestone agreement between AWU and Rio Tinto. It is a huge achievement for AWU and proves that collective bargaining is the only way to truly protect workers’ rights. We hope that this landmark achievement will demonstrate to Rio Tinto that trade unions are good for business. We look forward to further successes in the future.

RAVINDRA G. GHOSALKAR(Born: 15-10-1945 Deceased: 11-2-2014)

Ravindra Ghosalkar was educated in the science stream and completed with a Bachelors Degree (BSc). After completing his education in 1969 he took up a job with M/s. Hicksan & Dadajee Ltd. as a Chemist. Soon he came in contact with the late Mr. Vasant Khanolkar, General Secretary Chemical Mazdoor Sabha. With this he started his union activities and became an executive member of the union.

He fought for the rights of the workers at unit level and took over as the local leader. He devoted almost all his life for the cause of the workers. As years went by he began actively taking part in the day-to-day functioning of Chemical Mazdoor Sabha & Shramik Janta unions.

After the sad demise of Mr. Khanolkar in the year 1997 he was elected as General Secretary of the unions and also took over as General Secretary of Chemical Mazdoor Federation of India. He was not married and worked his whole life for the trade union movement. He diligently carried out his duties till his last breath.

He suffered a massive heart attack on 11 February 2014 and passed away. He was closely involved in the international trade union movement also and was a founding member of the former ICEM and IndustriALL Global union.

A famous trade unionist, his role in uniting the Chemical workers of India and in raising the living standards of one of the poorest and most oppressed sectors of Indian industry will always be remembered. The IndustriALL family will long remember the service and contribution of Brother Ravindra Ghosalkar to the international labour movement.

Bulgarian unions react against attacks on workers’ rights

During recent months Bulgarian unions have been witnessing newed attacks against labour legislation, reflected in a set of proposals for major changes put forward by representatives of employers’ organisations.

In a drive to “stop the excessive administrative pressure on business”, the Government has submitted a draft bill which, if passed, would weaken workers’ rights and social protection.

In particular unions denounce Government plans to revise the regulations governing relationships between employers, workers and supervisory bodies, and attempts to deregulate the labour market further.

The unions also warn that some of the proposals would accelerate the development of temporary work agencies and increase precarious work in Bulgaria, and they have voiced deep concern about the lack of genuine social dialogue and consultation on the draft bill.

Over the past few years, the Bulgarian Government has introduced a number of so-called reforms of labour legislation and trade unions have made specific proposals aiming at better protection of employee rights.

IndustriALL Global Union has expressed its solidarity with its Bulgarian affiliates in their fight to resist the attacks on workers’ rights against a backdrop of hard times in the country and union demands for safe and secure jobs, and a sustainable future for industry in Bulgaria.

“Your fight is our common fight,” said Jyrki Raina, General Secretary in his letter addressed to the Bulgarian affiliates. “You can rest assured that IndustriALL Global Union stands by your side in the struggle against attempts to revise regulations governing employment relations, and lack of genuine social dialogue.”

IndustriALL stands with unions in Bosnia-Herzegovina fighting for industrial fairness

IndustriALL Global Union also calls attention to the courageous industrial workers at several once-proud enterprises in Tuzla Canton that initiated this month’s social protests, and hopes all trade unions of Bosnia & Herzegovina will follow and engage in peaceful protests to realign the social order in the Balkan nation.

“The seed now germinating across Bosnia & Herzegovina is one of anger brought by hunger and impoverishment due to lost jobs, unpaid salaries, and a new generation without opportunity,” said IndustriALL General Secretary Jyrki Raina. “It is encouraging that trade unions inside encourage open and peaceful dissent to take on social dumping, social disenfranchisement, and soaring social inequality.”

Bosnia & Herzegovina, with a population of 3.8 million, currently has one in five citizens living in poverty. It has an unemployment rate of over 40%, and worse, the youth jobless rate is 57%. IndustriALL blames the system of 15 years ago, when neo-liberal industrialisation was privatised, creating a dangerous class of profiteers who colluded with government officials to downsize, close, and asset-strip, leaving in its wake poverty and unemployment.

IndustriALL Global Union is encouraged by spontaneous social protests across Bosnia & Herzegovina, spurred largely through social media, and calls for citizens to unite across all ethnic boundaries to forge a society based on fairness, justice, and openness to all.

IndustriALL Global Union congratulates the industrial workers at these and other failed Tuzla Canton enterprises for inspiring workers both inside and out of Bosnia & Herzegovina with street actions demanding change: Soap and detergent maker Dita, chemical producers Polihem D.D. and Polilchem D.D.O., motor parts manufacturer Resod Guming, and kitchen, office, school furniture producer Koinjuh D.D.

Global unions and brands to meet with Cambodian government

The violent end to the strike of Cambodian garment workers, rallying for an increased minimum wage in January, left four people dead, 39 injured and 23 workers imprisoned. Recently two workers were released. Of the remaining 21 detainees, 16 are on hunger strike.

IndustriALL Global Union and the ITUC will be joined by brands including H&M and Puma in the talks with the Cambodian government in Phnom Penh on Wednesday 19 February.

IndustriALL General Secretary Jyrki Raina says:

It is encouraging that the government has agreed to meet with us and some of the major brands for constructive dialogue. It is in the interest of all to find a path towards a sustainable garment industry with living wages and freedom of association in Cambodia.

In a rapid response, IndustriALL, UNI, the ITUC and brands joined forces in sending a letter to the Cambodian government demanding an investigation into the violence, as well as a sustainable process for reaching a new minimum wage.

Earlier in February, representatives from IndustriALL, UNI and the ITUC held constructive dialogue in a meeting at the United Nations in Geneva with a senior diplomat from the Cambodian Embassy. At the same time, members of IndustriALL and UNI were vociferous in their demands when delivering a letter to the Cambodian mission in the city calling for the release of the jailed workers and a path towards a minimum living wage.

The world has seen solidarity actions supporting the plight of garment workers in Cambodia, following a call by IndustriALL Global Union, UNI Global Union and the ITUC to protest outside Cambodian embassies earlier this month.

Cambodia’s garment industry is growing rapidly and now employs more than 500,000 workers with textiles making up 80% of the country’s exports. Cambodia’s low wages and government incentives for businesses have seen a boom in the textile industry worth some 5 billion US dollars per year, while living standards for workers have not improved.

IndustriALL and Mexican miners’ union condemn deaths of five miners at Grupo Mexico mine

The Mexican Miners’ Union (SNTMMSRM), affiliated to IndustriALL, calls on the government to take drastic measures to punish those responsible for the latest accident, which has left five families in mourning. The union wants the government to bring criminal charges against the managers and shareholders of Industrial Minera Mexico, a company owned by Grupo Mexico.

The workers and their union blame Grupo Mexico, owned by Germán Feliciano Larrea Mota Velasco, for this accident. It subcontracted maintenance services, but remains responsible for occupational health and safety under Mexican law.

The dead workers are Teódulo Rivera López, 45; Blas Guzmán Gatica, 47; Benito Arriaga Gatica, 56; Juan García Puente, 57 and Isidro Rodríguez Ramírez, 45.

The union has previously criticized Grupo Mexico’s negligence and careless attitude to health and safety, but the company continues to disregard trade union action to increase safety and protect workers’ lives.

On 19 February, it will be eight years since the industrial homicide at Pasta de Conchos Mine 8, Coahuila, in which 65 miners lost their life. The bodies of 63 miners remain in the mine, without a proper burial. None of the managers and technical staff responsible for that tragedy have been prosecuted and the families of the dead have not received the compensation due to them.

Eight years after the industrial homicide at Pasta de Conchos, company negligence and insufficient attention to safety is still causing accidents at Grupo Mexico’s mines. IndustriALL Global Union therefore supports the miners’ call for the government to prosecute those responsible and the state and federal governments to inspect the mines and protect miners’ lives.

IndustriALL National Council formed in the Dominican Republic

In a meeting held on 13 and 14 February and facilitated by Jorge Almeida and Laura Carter of IndustriALL’s regional office, union leaders agreed on the workings of the national council as well as on its terms of reference. The national council builds on the loose coordination that existed previously between affiliates in the country.

The National Council will be a forum for affiliates to coordinate their respective action plans, to organize joint activities and solidarity action, to promote unity and to facilitate their involvement within IndustriALL.

The affiliates agreed in principle to a series of ground rules to build unity and strength from the ground up and will formalize the agreement following consultations with their respective national centers. They also agreed a dispute resolution mechanism to resolve several existing inter-union workplace conflicts.

The affiliates recommitted themselves to IndustriALL’s rules and action plan and shared ideas on how to build union power in their sectors.

Outside interference undermines VW workers’ free choice in Chattanooga

Workers at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant voted against union representation that would have led to the establishment of a works council. It would have been the first such model of labor-management relations in the United States, supported by the Volkswagen company and its CEO of the Chattanooga plant, Frank Fischer.

At the end of a three-day election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board, on 14 February it became clear that Volkswagen workers had voted against United Auto Workers (UAW) representation by 712 to 626.

The workers’ free choice was undermined by an aggressive opposition campaign led by Republican politicians and anti-union groups, involving threats and intimidation. Tennessee’s Republican lawmakers threatened to withhold tax incentives from Volkswagen if the workers voted for union representation. A Republican senator claimed he had been “assured” of new investment if the workers voted against the union.

The election took place after unprecedented cooperation between IndustriALL, United Auto Workers (UAW) and German’s IG Metall. UAW worked hard in the weeks leading up to the election, being allowed to enter the plant to inform workers of the consequences and benefits of establishing a works council.

“While we certainly would have liked a victory for workers here, we deeply respect the Volkswagen Global Group Works Council, Volkswagen management and IG Metall for doing their best to create a free and open atmosphere for workers to exercise their basic human right to form a union,” said UAW President Bob King.

“We commend Volkswagen for its commitment to global human rights, to worker rights and trying to provide an atmosphere of freedom to make a decision,” said UAW Region 8 Director Gary Casteel, who directs the union’s Southern organizing. “Unfortunately, politically motivated third parties threatened the economic future of this facility and the opportunity for workers to create a successful operating model that that would grow jobs in Tennessee.”

IndustriALL general secretary Jyrki Raina says:

“This is sad news for IndustriALL’s global family, but equally for the workers at the VW plant in Chattanooga. Outside interference undermined the workers’ free choice. Workers in Tennessee should be able to enjoy true freedom of association. We applaud the 626 who resisted threats and intimidation and voted in favour of defending their rights collectively.”

The Tennessee plant is the only Volkswagen manufacturing unit in the world without union representation.