Sixteen years of unwavering solidarity of Hyundai/Kia workers

Reviewing the history of the global solidarity of Hyundai/Kia workers, the executive director of the international department at the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU) Chong Hyewon said since the first contact with Turkey’s Metal Workers’ Union (Birleşik Metal-İş) in 2007, the Hyundai/Kia workers have selflessly offered support to each other and went through many great struggles. 

The hunger strike of the Hyundai Motor India Employees' Union (HMIEU) in 2008 triggered a global solidarity action from KMWU and United Auto Workers (UAW). 

Korean and US workers raised funds in support of the strike, the global pressure culminated in the settlement of the hunger strike.    

With the support of the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) and KMWU, the first global Hyundai/Kia union network meeting was held in 2009 in Korea with the participation of KMWU, Slovakia's OZ KOVO, Czech's OS KOVO, India's HMIEU, USA's UAW and Turkey's Birleşik Metal-İş. 

In the following years, the network took the two automotive companies to task on the unfair dismissal of a Korean female worker who encountered sexual harassment at the workplace, exploitative night shift work, graveyard shift and precarious work in the Hyundai/Kia factories, and the repression of local union leaders at Hyundai Czech. 

At the 2023 hybrid global Hyundai/Kia union network meeting, thirty participants unanimously agreed to sustain the network and workers’ solidarity in the future. They appreciated the active role played by KMWU in supporting union struggles and sharing bargaining information. 

“As a newcomer to the Hyundai/Kia workers’ family, we learnt a lot from the network in the last year. The Indonesian labour movement is focusing all of its energy to fight the regressive Omnibus Law. But we will continue to organize more workers to strengthen workers’ power in industries.”

Said Nuryasin, the vice president of the Federation of Indonesian Metal Workers' Union (FSPMI). 

“The collective bargaining information from our Korean brothers and sisters are very valuable, I learnt a lot about good practice through discussion and translation. I hope we can focus on more specific issues such as agency workers and migrant workers in the future.”

Said Martin Cech, the chairman of Kia OZ KOVO. 

“The network should strive to seek a social dialogue with Hyundai/Kia to accomplish the global industrial relations system. IndustriALL will continue to push for global framework agreements with these two companies, at the same time leveraging on human rights due diligence legislation in respective countries.”

Said Georg Leutert, IndustriALL director of automotive and aerospace industries. 
 

IndustriALL on the picket line with UAW

Negotiations continue between the UAW and the Big Three. The UAW president Shawn Fain said the union was prepared to expand its strike to a large General Motors facility in Texas today,  but the expansion was averted when the automaker agreed to add its electric vehicle battery manufacturing plants to the UAW agreement.

“We were about to shut down GM's biggest moneymaker in Arlington, Texas. We know their pain points, we know their moneymakers, and we know the plants they really don’t want to see struck,”

Shawn Fain. 

Since the strike started in mid-September, the union has used Fridays to announce strike updates and add workers to the picket line. This past Friday was the first week no additional UAW members were added to the strike after the automakers made sufficient progress in negotiations.


Shawn Fain shared that GM, Ford, and Stellantis have all made progress in wages, cost of living adjustments, and time to reach full pay status, but added that there is still more work to be done. 

IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie, together with other unions, joined workers on the picket line at Stellantis in Detroit, highlighting the significance of the UAW's fight not only for their own rights but also for the entire American working class. Atle Høie stressed the need to ensure workers receive their fair share of profits, addressing the decades-long disparity in wage increases imposed by the Big Three.
 

“The Big Three has been holding back on wage increases for 30 years and they have made profits on the backs of the workforce. It is time to settle the score and make sure workers receive their fair share of the profits,” 

said Atle Høie.
 
Atle Høie conveyed messages of support from IndustriALL president Jörg Hofmann, the IG Metall shop stewards committee, and Volkswagen Kassel/Germany. These messages emphasized the global solidarity among trade unions:

“Regardless of the company, whether in Germany or internationally. We stand together in solidarity as trade unions and do not allow ourselves to be divided! We are proud of this solidarity and cooperation. We as trade unionists know how important jobs, good wages and social security are. Your industrial action for 36 percent more pay, against the lasting loss of purchasing power for the next four years and better social benefits, are justified.”

Jörg Hofmann praised the UAW's efforts in setting standards for future jobs in this industry and called for a socially responsible transformation in the automotive sector. He expressed support for the UAW's fight against corporate greed and for strong trade union representation, underscoring the global importance of their struggle. 

“The UAW is fighting to set standards for future jobs in battery and electric vehicle production.

We congratulate the UAW on the progress with GM on this topic. All of us must make sure that the transformation of the automotive industry is managed in a fair and socially responsible way.

Workers and their unions need to have a say so that new jobs are good jobs, with good wages and benefits. This fight is important for the workers in the US and all over the world. You are sending a clear signal against corporate greed and arbitrariness and for a strong trade union representation that unites workers who stand up for their rights. We stand by your side and wish you success in your bold struggle!”

Said Jörg Hoffman, IndustriALL president. 
 
On 11 October, in a massive escalation the UAW took 8 700 members at Ford’s iconic and extremely profitable Kentucky Truck plant, to join the strike after Ford refused to make further movement in bargaining. 
 
 
 

New lockout provisions in Ukraine violate workers’ rights

The inclusion of the lockout provisions legitimizes the employers’ rights to initiate lockouts and negates all the advanced progress that has been made on strikes. If there are any violations to property, the strike could be deemed illegal, and an employer can receive compensation. 
 
The provisions don’t enhance workers’ rights, there could be a limitation on the number of employees who will legally be allowed to strike with no more than three or five people. A warning strike can only be issued once and for only 60 minutes during the entire time of a labour dispute.  
  
The inadmissibility of the lockout, as stipulated in Articles 48-52 of this draft law, is confirmed by the practices observed within the European Committee on Social Rights.  In addition, the Committee highlights that the right to lockout should not be regarded as offering comprehensive and extensive protection, in contrast to the right to strike
 
Raising awareness on how the new inclusions threaten ordinary workers and trade union members, KVPU has launched a campaign involving union leaders voicing their concerns and positions to members of parliament. 
 
Isabelle Barthès, acting joint general secretary of industriAll Europe:
 

“If Ukraine’s future lies in the EU, as the President of the European Commission has asserted, we insist that it upholds key elements of the European social model.

The right to strike and collective bargaining are essential elements of the European social model. Without the right to take effective industrial action, collective bargaining becomes toothless, and we need collective bargaining to ensure a fair distribution of wealth and good working conditions. We stand with our Ukrainian colleagues and will continue to alert the EU to attempts to weaken workers’ rights.”

“At the international level, the right to strike is regulated by ILO Convention 87 on freedom of association and the protection of the right to organize. At the national level, the right to strike is enshrined in the Ukrainian Constitution under Article 44. Considering that the lockout provisions are in violation of the Constitution and international labour standards, IndustriALL calls for the exclusion of these provisions from the draft law on collective labour disputes,” 

says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie. 
 
IndustriALL and industriAll Europe have jointly sent letters to the Ukrainian president and the Ukrainian Parliament calling for the withdrawal of these provisions, impressing that they violate workers’ rights. 
 
IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll European Trade Union call on the EU to raise this matter with the Ukrainian authorities in the context of integration process.

IndustriALL also calls on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to intervene to achieve opposition to the inclusion of lockout provisions in the draft law.

Photo: Shutterstock

Unions unite for a Just Transition in the Caucasus and Central Asia

The seminar addressed the challenges and opportunities arising from the transition to renewable energy sources and the pressing need for a just and equitable shift in the region. 

Unions presented diverse perspectives from key industry players, including the Chairman of the Georgian Trade Union Confederation (GTUC), Irakli Petriashvili. Petriashvili highlighted the struggles faced in interactions with the Georgian government, particularly regarding the increase of the minimum wage. He stressed the necessity for a coherent industrial policy, emphasizing the creation of new jobs in the green economy.

“The outcomes of climate conferences underscore the urgency of a Just Transition. IndustriALL's primary demands are social dialog and sustainable industrial policies. The creation of green jobs are essential in the trade union agenda but unions must push for a seat at the table if we want a Just Transition. IndustriALL, together with other global unions, will raise the main demands to the upcoming C28 a work program on just transition with a labor focus, guaranteeing workers rights with inclusive participation, adaptation needs for social protection, and strong commitment for climate finance ,"

said Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary.

Participants collectively voiced concerns about the lack of transparency in government initiatives for transitioning to renewable energy sources. They identified key questions that must be addressed, including inquiries about ongoing projects, implementation timelines, financial resources, and plans for creating new, green and decent jobs. Affiliates also emphasized the need for trade union demands to be integrated into future government transition projects, ensuring social inclusivity.

In Georgia, unions are calling on employers to strategize the reorganization of production during the green economy transition. Unions, such as Tkibuli miners, stressed the importance of exploring alternative sites in the event of coal mine closures.

Trade unions also identified mayors and governors as potential allies, expected to shoulder the financial burden and social responsibility in regions affected by enterprise closures and mass unemployment. 

Representatives of the new railway workers in Georgia highlighted the challenges posed by changes in domestic and foreign markets, emphasizing the possible decrease in rail transportation volumes, leading to concerns about lower wages and potential job layoffs.

The meeting also welcomed the experience from Moldova particularly after the country was granted candidate country status by the European Union (EU). Despite positive strides in renewables in Moldova, Margareta Strestian reported that unions are far from securing their rightful place at the table in driving a Just Transition.

Judith-Kirton Darling, acting joint general secretary of IndustriAll Europe, spoke on the implications of EU climate legislation on international trade. She stressed the importance of aligning foreign products with European green standards, preventing unfair competition, and maintaining the integrity of the European market.

In contrast to the challenges faced in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, European trade unions shared powerful success stories during the event, illustrating tangible examples of successful transitions and providing valuable insights on how unions can achieve similar success.

Arild Theimann, representing Industri Energi in Norway, highlighted the nation's renewable energy achievements, emphasizing the creation of new green jobs and substantial investments in hydrogen projects, solidifying Norway's commitment to sustainability.

Cristina Hanson, from Denmark's 3F Union, outlined Denmark's roadmap towards carbon neutrality by 2050. She underscored the active participation of trade unions in this transformative journey, emphasizing the crucial collaboration between labor and industry.

Jakob Lykke, Chairman of 3F Esbjerg in Denmark, offered insights from the Esbjerg port, showcasing the port's successful transitions amidst changing industries. He emphasized the key role played by unions in supporting workers through these shifts, advocating for skill development programs and close cooperation with educational institutions.

“The region is navigating the complexities of a green transition. These discussions make it clear that transparency, collaboration, and inclusive policies are crucial. The challenges highlighted and the proactive stance of unions in this region underscore their collective determination to ensure that the transition is not only green but also just and fair for all,”

said Vadim Borisov, IndustriALL regional secretary.

Union to protest against high mine accident deaths in South Africa

The NUM, is protesting against the high rate of fatal accidents in the mining sector especially in gold mining, and will picket at multinational companies, Harmony Gold, and Sibanye Stillwater mines.
 
In 2021, 74 deaths were reported while 49 mineworkers were killed last year from accidents. The NUM reported that by September this year 27 mineworkers had been killed in accidents. 
 

“The union is greatly concerned by the high rate of fatal accidents in the sector. To us, the lives of mineworkers matter the most. We will not tolerate the continued brutal killings of our members while working, trying to provide for their families. Already in 2023, the mining sector has reported 27 fatal accidents. The gold sector is leading with 15, coal sector has four, platinum sector also has four, and other sectors have four,” 

said the NUM in a statement. 
 
With the mining industry in South Africa adopting technologies that include seismic sensors, big data, and information technology to improve operations, this might have a positive effect on occupational health and safety as fatal accidents may be further reduced. The technologies that are being used include automated underground mining which reduces accidents in drilling, blasting, loading, and hauling. Other technologies are proximity detection and collision warning systems for workers including machine operators and rock fall prevention systems. 
 
Glen Mpufane, IndustriALL director for mining said: 
 

“Whilst the deaths from mining accidents are decreasing; a lot needs to be done as workers are still losing their lives. But with the laws, policies, and technology that exist more lives can be saved. The role of the health and safety shop steward at the mines continues to be key to reducing injuries and deaths.”


The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, says the government continues to commit to implementing policies towards zero harm and to ensure that safer technologies and mining practices are adopted to reduce accidents. Further, the department monitors and enforces health and safety at mines through inspections and audits. It also works with trade unions, mining companies and other stakeholders in campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of complying with health and safety protocols.
 
Under the Mine Health and Safety Act, workers’ have a right to refuse to work in dangerous areas where their health and safety is at risk. The Act also promotes identifying hazards and developing measures to eliminate, control and minimize risks to occupational health and safety through tripartite and multistakeholder strategies and for the setting up of health and safety representatives and committees.
 

Young leaders call for inclusive unions

The workshop with Sri Lankan affiliates was held in Colombo on 17 and 18 September. Over 20 young leaders participated and aimed to provide an in-depth understanding on the role of trade unions and collective bargaining agreements, and Just Transition.

Young participants shared the perils of ongoing economic crisis in the country which has led to job loss. They emphasised the need for organising vigorously under the current circumstances, for which participation of young unionists is much needed. Young leaders mapped out the future action which includes reviewing union structures from the perspective of inclusivity and coordination with the union leadership to strengthen trade union networks. 
 
Dilakson Suresh, a young leader from IndustriALL’s affiliate Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union (FTZ&GSEU), says:

“It’s essential that young workers understand the role of trade unions and for that we all need to actively engage in the union work and build trust among young workers. We will strive to not only increase the union strength but also ensure that union structures are inclusive.”

Sarah Flores, IndustriALL’s youth officer, who was present at the Sri Lankan youth workshop, emphasized:

“IndustriALL is committed to supporting its affiliates in advancing representation of young unionists, including women and LGBTQI+ members, within trade union structures and developing organising tools to recruit more young members in unions.”

 In Pakistan, the national youth workshop took place in Multan on 30 September and 1 October. Around 20 young unionists, including women, participated in the meeting.
 
The focus of the Pakistan youth workshop was on gender based violence and harassment (GBVH) which has been identified as the priority area by young leaders in South Asia. 

Young participants shared that women workers often face various forms of discrimination and harassment within their workplaces disproportionately, while social security benefits, such as maternity benefits, are not adequately provided to women workers. 

Young leaders discussed various strategies that could be used to mitigate the risks associated with GBVH, one of which is the ratification of ILO C190. 

Workshop participants have committed to map the industries and unions where women workers are employed and holding discussions on the GBVH toolkit with their union members.

Tooba Hanif, a young woman leader from IndustriALL’s affiliate, Pakistan Textile, Garments and Leather Workers Federation (PTGLWF), says:

“We will strive to achieve gender just and inclusive structures with our union spaces. We need to develop a comprehensive union policy focused on engaging more young members in the union work such as advocating for freedom of association.”
 

Indonesian unions condemn constitutional court’s decision on Omnibus Law

The Constitutional Court ruled on 2 October that the issuing of the regulation, by the Indonesian President Joko Widodo, was in compliance with the constitution. The court has yet to make a ruling on the substance of the controversial regulation. 

The Confederation of All Indonesian Workers' Union (KSPI) president Said Iqbal questioned the flip-flop decision of the Constitutional Court, which declared the Omnibus Law unconstitutional in 2021 and instructed the government to review the law within two years, but the court now said the issusing of the new government regulation is constitutional. 

“The judges are not consistent. The country doesn't belong to the court judges. We will organize a national strike to protest the decision. If there is no justice at the constitutional court, we will seek justice in the streets.”

Said Iqbal added. 

The president of All Indonesian Trade Union Confederation (KSBSI) Elly Rosita Silaban said: 

“The Constitutional Court decision is a merciless attack on workers’ rights. The formulation of the Omnibus Law is flawed because trade unions were not properly consulted. We will not stop the struggle until we see justice prevail, we will file a lawsuit on the substance of the Omnibus Law soon.”

The president of the Chemical, Energy and Mines Workers Union (CEMWU SPSI), R. Abdullah said : 

“Despite the Constitutional Court rejecting the application filed by 121 CEMWU members, CEMWU and the GEKANAS coalition will file another judicial review on the substance of the Job Creation Law at the Constitutional Court. The struggle against the Omnibus Law continues.”

The introduction of the Omnibus Law by the Indonesian president which attracts direct foreign direct investment, has drawn backlash from the Indonesian labour movement and civil society organizations since 2020. 

IndustriALL Indonesia affiliates, together with the four confederations KPSI, KSPSI, KSBSI and KPBI have staged many demonstrations and national strikes to protest the decision. They filed the judicial reviews at the Constitutional Court after the parliament passed the Omnibus Law in October 2020.   

Bekaert İzmit Steel Kord workers defy repression

Management at the Bekaert İzmit Steel Kord factory in Turkey came down hard on the workers and their union when the workers staged a protest after negotiations for a pay rise to compensate for inflation failed.

This week, the company sacked the chief shop steward (a board member of the Kocaeli regional branch of Birleşik Metal İş), prompting workers to refuse leaving the factory during the day shift. Workers arriving for the night shift were subsequently prevented from entering the premises, thus disrupting Bekaert's production. Union members still inside the factory are being denied access to food.

Faced with soaring inflation and eroding wages, the workers were rightly demanding additional pay rises to combat growing impoverishment and the rising cost of living. Despite their peaceful attempts to voice their concerns, the union representative was dismissed for shouting slogans, which the workers found unacceptable.

In a joint letter, IndustriALL Global Union and industriALL Europe condemn in the strongest possible terms the unfair dismissal of the union representative and call for his immediate reinstatement, as well as calling on management to let workers come into the factory to restart production.

“The company’s behaviour is in blatant violation of national labour law and international core labour standards, including ILO Convention 87 on freedom of association and protection of the right to organize, and Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining.

“It is imperative that Bekaert act in full accord with national law and international labour standards and thus engage in good faith negotiations with Birleşik Metal İş and immediately reinstate the chief union representative.”

A struggle for rights

The Bekaert İzmit Steel Kord factory has been a battlefield for workers' rights for some time, with the union facing constant repression from management.

Last winter, the company secured the support of the Turkish government, with a decree from President Erdogan effectively banning strikes. The international trade union community stood in solidarity with the workers, condemning the ban and demanding justice.

Despite these challenges, the union won a remarkable victory, securing an 84 per cent pay rise for its members.

Defying repression

The workers at Bekaert İzmit Steel Kord remain steadfast. They continue their struggle and demand the immediate reinstatement of their dismissed representative and the respect of their fundamental rights.

The workers point out the absurdity of the situation: in 2023, a European company with Belgian capital resorts to methods reminiscent of the 18th century and tries to intimidate its workers through hunger and repression. The workers make it clear that such archaic tactics will not break their spirit or deter them from their cause.

Organizing is key in growing battery industry

The battery supply chain is growing and expanding fast, fuelled by addressing climate change and the increasing demand for electric vehicles (EV), and with that the massive transition of jobs and skills. In Europe alone, 800,000 new battery-related jobs will likely be created in coming years.

Globally, a total of 10 million jobs in the battery value chain is expected to be created around 2030, more than half of them in emerging countries. Most of the workers in the sector are newly recruited and trained, including migrant workers, and others retrained and upskilled from existing jobs that are disappearing.
 
Every region, every sector makes up different parts of the battery supply chain, from mining and refining to production and assembly. The fight for the main raw materials (cobalt, lithium, copper and nickel) leads to human rights’ violations and unacceptable environmental consequences: child labour, destruction of the living environment of indigenous peoples, ecological destruction, water shortage etc.

The automotive industry has a relatively high level of unionized workers, but the number decreases along the supply chain, where workers’ rights violations increase. Many workers across the battery supply chain remain unorganized or are pushed from decent into precarious ones.
 
IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll European Trade Union represent workers throughout the entire battery supply chain. This opens the opportunity for a comprehensive, cross-sectoral and sustainable supply chain strategy to improve the effectiveness of due diligence processes, the enforcement of workers’ and human rights, and the promotion of decent working conditions.

In the coming years, IndustriALL and industriAll European will focus on:

“This industry is growing rapidly and we need to strategize on how unions will keep up and organize workers. We need to find practical ways to organize our workers and build our solidarity. We also need policy tools, and we need to make sure that workers are protected,”

says Kan Matsuzaki IndustriALL assistant general secretary.

“We need to organize, we need to ensure that we have industrial power. We need a seat at the table, we need to be part of the discussion. Unions can’t come in at the end when politicians and multinationals have already taken decisions. We need to be part of the process from the start,”

said Judith Kirton-Darling industriall Europe acting joint general secretary.
 

Unions want a just energy transition for workers in South Africa

The summit, held 19-20 September in Johannesburg, was convened by the NUM under the theme: Ensuring an energy transition that is just for workers and communities.

The summit objectives included on providing “opportunities for trade unions to consider their overall responsibility to ensure that they achieve a Just Transition that safeguard and guarantees livelihoods.”

Over a hundred participants recommended possible strategies for the energy transition in South Africa. These included learning from experiences from other countries, skills training, and other energy policy interventions. The participants included shop stewards, union leaders, government ministers and officials, sector education and training authorities, representatives from the Presidential Commission on Climate Change, the United Federation of Workers in Denmark also known as 3F, and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the summit Pravin Gordan minister of public enterprises, said plans were underway to restructure or unbundle the power utility Eskom into generation, transmission, and distribution units, and to end “massive rent seeking” behaviour and corruption at the state-owned enterprise.

In the declarations made during the summit participants stated that they want the current energy transition plans to be delayed. This will ensure fairness of the transition process to workers and communities. The delegates also further agreed that the unbundling of Eskom should also be put to a halt to allow for further consultation.

Additionally, unions expressed concerns over job losses if the coal-fired power stations were closed without due process as confirmed by a Presidential Climate Commission preliminary report on the decommissioning of Komati — Eskom’s oldest power station — which led to job losses and the collapse of value chains that were beneficial to the communities.    

“As a union we are extremely serious when we call for a Just Transition and very firm that the jobs of workers in the energy sector, at coal power stations, are not for sale. The reckless closure of power stations does not only plunge us into rolling blackouts and energy poverty but leaves the rest of the Mpumalanga province with ghost towns and high unemployment. This will further deindustrialize our country,”

said Irvin Jim, National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa general secretary.

Mpho Phakedi, NUM acting general secretary said:

“It is important that unions are debating and finding common ground with the government and other stakeholders on the just energy transition agenda. However, at this summit, the NUM expected government ministers and officials to articulate pro-labour interventions in the energy transition, but their statements were unsatisfactory. We wanted the government to give trade unions guarantees that the well-being of workers will not be compromised.”

Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub Saharan Africa said:

“IndustriALL supports the union demands to have an energy transition that protect jobs and workers interests. The energy pathways proposed by the NUM which include energy sovereignty, a public energy mandate for Eskom as well as a public approach to variable renewable energy are important for social dialogue on the just energy transition.”