Victory! USO leaders released in Colombia

Héctor Sánchez Gómez, Campo Elías Ortiz and José Delio Naranjo Gualteros were accused by the public prosecutor of a series of crimes, including “aggravated kidnapping, conspiracy to commit a crime, making threats, violation of the right to work, obstruction of the public highway, damage to natural resources and aggravated damage to private property”.

From the start, the USO said the detentions “were part of a politically motivated plan to stigmatize and persecute the union because it has campaigned against multinational companies like Pacific Rubiales in the department of Meta and denounced violations of the rights of workers and communities”.

The USO welcomes this victory, won by the union, in conjunction with the legal defence team, national and international trade unions, such as the AFL-CIO Solidarity Centre, IndustriALL, UNIFOR, PASO Internacional and the Canadian Brotherhood and Solidarity Network with Colombia, “which, in all kinds of ways and through various media, have criticized this difficult situation, denounced the detention of our colleagues and demanded their release”.

At the end of 2013, IndustriALL repudiated the detention of USO leaders and wrote to the Colombian government to demand their immediate release and an end to the persecution of the union.

“We will continue to fight for the release of our colleague and leader, Darío Cárdenas, vice-president of the union’s executive committee in Meta and we will continue to campaign against attempts to criminalise social struggles in Colombia”, said the USO.

IndustriALL believes the release of our three colleagues is a real victory for the USO, which has been persecuted and stopped from conducting trade union activity just because it has demanded labour rights and the freedom of association for oil industry workers.

Ukraine: Political deal must lead to genuine restoration of democracy and human rights

Following all-night talks with protestors, mediated by three European foreign ministers, the President agreed on 21 February to restore the 2004 constitution within the next 48 hours and form a national unity government in the next 10 days.

Constitutional reform to balance the power of the president, government and parliament will start immediately and the presidential election will be held no later than December 2014.

IndustriALL Global Union Assistant General Secretary Kemal Özkan stated:

Ukraine, its people and its trade unions have suffered greatly in the horrific violence of the past few days. We hope that with this new political deal, the Ukrainian government will put an immediate end to the bloodshed and focus all efforts on restoring democracy and human rights and constructing open dialogue with opposition groups. 

IndustriAll European Trade Union Deputy General Secretary Luc Triangle said:

One thing is clear, peaceful protest is part of any democratic society. Ukraine should come as soon as possible to a political compromise between the current President, government and the protesters. Our thoughts and support are with Ukraine, its people and its workers!

IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriAll European Trade Union are angered by the deadly violence against activists in Maidan Square, Kiev, and an arson attack that destroyed much of Trade Union House on the night of 18 February.

The trade union headquarter building housed the majority of IndustriALL affiliates. The fire destroyed important equipment, computers and documentation. Indications point to Ukraine’s special police unit “Berkut” as those who purposely destroyed the building. It was widely known that the building was being used to shelter demonstrators.

The world is constantly watching now as murdered demonstrators’ bodies are carried away from the area around the October Palace and Maidan Square, some lying dead on the pavement for hours before being taken away. Most of the dead were killed by police gunshots, even those wearing bulletproof vests were killed as police fired armour-piercing bullets.

Other deadly threats to protestors are police snipers stationed on the roofs of buildings around Maidan Square, and hired thugs known as “titusky” allegedly paid by the government. Arsenalna metro station is a grouping point for pro-government forces and demonstrators fear an attack from this area.

Similar civil unrest has been occurring throughout Ukraine, with angry crowds targeting buildings housing the government and heavy-handed security forces.

IndustriALL calls for justice on the eighth anniversary of the industrial homicide at Pasta de Conchos

“Eight years is a long time to spend trying to right an injustice”, said Jorge Almeida, IndustriALL Global Union’s Regional Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, who attended events held to remember the industrial homicide that occurred on 19 February 2006.

The National Miners’ Union (SNTMMSRM), affiliated to IndustriAll, is demanding recovery of the bodies in order to give them a decent burial, a thorough investigation to identify the cause of the accident, punishment for those responsible and payment of fair compensation to victims’ families.

The Regional Secretary reiterated IndustriALL’s solidarity with the mining town of Coahuila and with the union, led by its general secretary, Napoleon Gómez Urrutia, who is also a member of IndustriALL’s executive committee.

On 19 February, as part of the programme of events held to mark the anniversary, victims’ families held a mass in front of the offices of Grupo Mexico. Members representing different branches of the union and representatives of IndustriALL and the United Steelworkers of America later marched from the offices of Grupo Mexico to the Angel of Independence monument. Activities also included a meeting in front of the United States embassy to protest against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

The union is also calling on the government to find a solution for the three strikes at mines in Cananea, Sombrete and Taxco, and to take the steps necessary to make it possible for Napoleón Gómez Urrutia to return to the country.

The Pasta de Conchos disaster anniversary took place just a week after another  accident at a Grupo Mexico mine, this time at San Luis de Potosí, where five miners died because of the company’s negligence and failure to respect trade union rights.

IndustriALL calls for an end to violence in Ukraine

Many offices of IndustriALL affiliates were located in the building. Earlier it was occupied by protesters. The fire destroyed the building together with all the documents and equipment of IndustriALL affiliates.

IndustriALL Global Union is seriously concerned with the dramatic developments in Ukraine. IndustriALL expresses support to all its affiliated trade unions and hopes for a swift restoration of peace, before it escalates into a civil war.

General secretary Raina stated:

IndustriALL calls for an end to violence in Ukraine. When citizens are shot dead on the orders of their government, the world is horrified. IndustriALL remains in constant contact with its affiliates in Ukraine. Many of these organisations are now operating under even more difficult circumstances following the malicious arson of Trade Union House.

Rana Plaza compensation arrangement needs brands’ commitment

Consumers around the world will be disgusted to know that this long list of brands connected with Rana Plaza is still refusing to join the Arrangement: Adler, Auchan, Benetton, Camaieu, Carrefour, Carrona, Cato Fashions, Children’s Place, JC Penney, Kids for Fashion, Lee Cooper, Manifattura Corona, Mango, Matalan, NKD, Premier Clothing, PVT (Texman), Store 21, Yes Zee, Walmart.

If a majority of these brands refuse to pay what they owe, the US$40 million needed for compensation in line with ILO standards will not be collected.

Well-known high-street brand Primark, based in Ireland, has played a leading role in the industry’s response to Rana Plaza. Primark paid the stopgap salaries to all 3,600 workers of Rana Plaza for the six months following the collapse, plus a further three months. Primark has also been an important partner in establishing the Rana Plaza Coordination Committee and the Arrangement framework. However, after months of joint work with the highest possible level of guidance from the ILO and UN international experts, Primark is now wavering.

Primark’s initial work in response to the Rana Plaza collapse was positive, including considerable humanitarian relief and work on the ground with the IndustriALL affiliated United Federation of Garment Workers.

Primark signed the Rana Plaza Arrangement with Loblaws, El Corte Ingles, and Bonmarche, together with IndustriALL Global Union, the Clean Clothes Campaign, Bangladeshi unions, the Bangladeshi government, and Bangladeshi manufacturers and employers’ associations. Each stipulation and condition in the Arrangement has been met. But now Primark is hesitating to commit, considering instead going it alone with its own scheme. This scheme is flawed in many ways, but most fundamentally in that it totally undermines the stringent, fair and transparent Arrangement.

The Rana Plaza Donors Trust Fund has now been established by the Arrangement. The large number of brands that source from Bangladesh but which were not connected to Rana Plaza are being asked to make voluntary payments into the fund.

Mascot and El Corte Ingles are the only companies to have publically contributed to the fund so far.

You and your organization can also make a solidarity payment into the fund by following the instructions on the dedicated website of the Rana Plaza Arrangement.

IndustriALL Global Union Assistant General Secretary Monika Kemperle stated:

Only two brands connected with Rana Plaza have paid into the fund. We implore the rest to pay up now. We urge people to write on their Facebook pages, write on the websites of their national media, and mobilise at the stores of these companies. It is time to name, shame and campaign. On 24 April, one year will have passed since the horror of Rana Plaza. No more excuses. The fund is set up, the management of the fund is reliable, and every part of the mechanism has been negotiated and agreed by all concerned. The support and commitment from all the major stakeholders has been attained. The only outstanding action now is for the brands to pay. The necessary total of US$40 million is realistic. We need all supporters of this initiative to exert their strong influence over these image-conscious clothing companies.

Cambodia – tentative steps towards constructive dialogue

The meeting in Phnom Penh was hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon, with several ministers including the Ministers of Labour and Commerce and other senior government officials present. IndustriALL Global Union and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) were joined by H&M, Inditex, Gap, C&A and Puma. 

IndustriALL’s general secretary Jyrki Raina was cautiously optimistic after the meeting:

There was some indication of what the government intends to do over the coming period, and there was a commitment of continuing the discussions with the brands and the global unions. We however cannot underestimate the challenges that lie ahead.

Cambodia’s garment industry has grown rapidly and makes up 80 per cent of the country’s exports. Low wages and government incentives for businesses have seen a boom in the industry worth some 5 billion US dollars per year, while living standards for workers have improved slowly.

“The meeting in Phnom Penh is a step towards constructive dialogue aiming for a sustainable garment industry in Cambodia,” says Steve Benedict, ITUC’s human and trade union rights director. “This includes a continued minimum wage reform and freedom of association.”

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.

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. 

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.