Nupeng strike demands met

Nupeng called the strike to address amongst other concerns, the anti-union and unfair labour practices of multinationals, in particular Shell Petroleum Development Company, Chevron Nigeria Limited and Agip Oil Company.

In a letter to the Permanent Representative of the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations, IndustriALL General Secretary Jyrki Raina, urged the Nigerian government to take forward plans to address casualization in the oil and gas sector agreed on in a tripartite meeting in 2011. He also called for intervention on the poor corporate behaviour of multinational companies in the sector, and that arbitration awards in favour of workers be confirmed.

An agreement was reached after a tripartite stakeholders meeting in the oil and gas sector detailed the way forward on the demands put forward by the union. The agreement also addresses unfair labour practices, casualization and confirmed the rights of workers to unionise.

“On behalf of the President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Comrade Igwe Achese, the entire members of the National Executive Council (NEC) and the Oil and Gas Workers in Nigeria, we appreciate your concern and solidarity support extended to our Union during the confrontation with multinational oil  companies in Nigeria and the Federal Government over unfair labour practices in the Oil and Gas Industry, ” said NUPENG General Secretary Isaac Aberare.

Wage agreement for South Africa’s textile sector

After two rounds of compulsory conciliation a settlement was reached with the South African Cotton & Textile Processing Employers Association, under the National Textile Bargaining Council (NTBC). A 7% wage increase was reached for around 7 000 workers in 65 factories around the country. The settlement will be backdated to 1 July this year.

As a brand new provision, never included in past agreements, the parties have committed to engage at plant level on measures, initiatives and projects aimed at reducing companies' carbon footprints.

“This is the first ever SACTWU wage agreement that directly tackles issues relating to the ‘green economy'. We hope to build and expand on this in future agreements,” says General Secretary of SACTWU Andre Kriel.

Mass dismissals at Rio Tinto in Madagascar

The security company Omega stopped operations on 31 July 2013. No response was ever given to the workers despite the many demands made by the local union FISEMA to the different stakeholders.

The mass dismissals announced at Rio Tinto QMM in Madagascar would affect over 300 workers. IndustriALL Global Union affiliate the Fédération des Syndicats des Travailleurs de l’Energie et des Mines (FISEMA) calls on the Rio Tinto and local authorities to adequately deal with the situation. These dismissals come with no social planning for the dismissed workers and Rio Tinto has not entered into meaningful dialogue with the union.

Rio Tinto has demonstrated a common trend in a number of countries where it runs operations, of destroying communities by failing to develop sustainable operations as it always manages to keep wages to a minimum, justifying that they are above the national minimum. This is very far from its commitment to conduct its activities in compliance with environmental, health, safety and well being of its employees and the community.

For the union there has been a real failure for sustainable development in the region. Now that Omega has ceased operations, the fate of the workers now lies in the hands of the local authorities to which the union has made their demands to enable them to be able to sustain a decent life in the region. 

IndustriALL signs GFA with the Renault Group

The global framework agreement (GFA) signed on 2 July 2013 in Paris follows on from  the “Declaration of Employees’ Fundamental Rights” dated 2 October 2004.  The signing ceremony took place on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Group Works’ Council which this year coincided with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Committee.  

The new agreement consolidates the company’s commitments to ILO’s labour standards, including freedom of association and neutrality, and contains a number of major improvements in particular concerning skills, training, health and safety, and diversity. The wording on the responsibility of suppliers and subcontractors has been significantly strengthened and the respect for fundamental rights identified as a determining criterion in their selection.  The agreement also incorporates new commitments to environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as improved provisions on implementation and follow-up.  A committee composed of representatives of IndustriALL and management as well as members of the Works’ Council has been established to monitor the GFA’s effective implementation.  

In addition, the text opens the way for other global thematic agreements to be negotiated with IndustriALL in the future. IndustriALL’s General Secretary Jyrki Raina praised the major improvements to the 2004 Declaration and the open and constructive atmosphere that prevailed during the whole negotiating process.   In a joint press release he stated “The agreement contains significant improvements in the area of fundamental labour rights, notably concerning freedom of association, of health and safety, training and the environment.  IndustriALL applauds  Renault’s strong commitment to advance these rights at its suppliers and subcontractors and promote social dialogue at global level.”  Marie-Françoise Damesin  Executive Vice President, Human  Resources for the Renault group, said: “ I welcome the agreement, which reflects Renault’s commitment to corporate, social and environmental responsibility. It is the result of a responsible social dialogue built over 20 years internationally.” Jocelyne Andreu, Secretary of the Renault Group Works’ Council, expressed her satisfaction, saying “ This agreement is the result of several months of discussions and it symbolizes mature employer/employee dialogue. I am sure that its implementation will be a powerful lever for progress and success for the company and its employees”.

The Renault Group manufactures vehicles under three brands – Renault, Dacia and Renault Samsung Motors – and has an alliance with Nissan since 1999.  It operates in 118 countries with 38 production sites and employs 127,000 people worldwide.  In 2012 the Alliance inaugurated a plant in Tangier, Morocco, that is expected to have some 6,000 workers by 2015.

This new agreement is part of IndustriALL’s Action Plan, which calls for the establishment of regular social dialogue at global level to enable constructive industrial relations leading to global level negotiations.

Tragedy in crisis ridden Central African Republic

Whilst the President of the Central African Republic (CAR) Michel Djotodia, who seized power through a coup in March 2013, declared three days of mourning for the dead miners, there are many more victims of this nation in crisis. Freedom of association has been banished and no gathering of any form is allowed under the current government.

Louis Marie Kogrengbo, General Secretary of the Democratic Organisation of Workers Union of Central Africa Republic (ODSTC), an IndustriALL affiliate, reports that rebels roam the streets of the city as well as the countryside attacking people and that not a day goes by without hearing of violent incidents. Security is the biggest issue worrying the majority of population.

CAR is dependent on cotton as its top export and then diamonds and gold mining sectors, which all face collapse. Miners earn as little as US$ 4 a day. Most of the 80,000 to 100,000 diamond miners in CAR work in artisanal and small scale mines without licenses. Their mined stones are then often sold to smugglers or exporting companies for a tiny percentage of the retail value.

The current government is reacting to international pressure, through the Kimberly Process, to eradicate blood diamonds funding conflict. The measures include establishing a new centralized clearing house and banning cash purchases. The measures however serve to put mineworkers under increased pressure of losing their job.

Many artisanal diamond miners out of desperation have switched to gold mining; prices for gold have remained more stable than that of diamonds. Illegal trade in gold is thought to be much worse than diamonds, estimated at 95 per cent of output. Thus the workers that died in the recent tragedy were no doubt driven by poverty to engage in illegal mining under perilous conditions for the black market.

IndustriALL General Secretary Raina stated:

Ending the exploitative and dangerous working conditions as well as the cycle of violence in the Central African Republic requires international action. International solidarity is needed from the labour movement to push for peace and stability for workers and to ensure that worker and trade union rights are restored.

Nupeng issues ultimatum over unfair labour practises

The union issued a strike notice to government early in June and has been engaging government in dialogue “We have given an ultimatum to the government on unfair industrial relations practices at these multinational companies that are using more and more outsourced workers”, says Acting General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (Nupeng),  Isaac Aberare. “We are mobilising our members and preparing to go on an indefinite strike, should the issues not be resolved.”

Amongst the unions concerns, is one on the increasing casualization of work in the oil and gas sectors. Almost 85% of Nigerians working in the oil and gas sector are either contract, casual or outsourced workers with conditions of work not commensurate with oil and gas industry standards and best practices globally. These workers remain without job security or benefits, some for many years, without conversion to permanent workers.

Contract workers are being handed over to labour outsourcing companies without receiving terminal benefits. The outsourcing of labour to contractors exposes workers to possible exploitation and often times these contractors prevent workers from join the union.  

The union is demanding that a forum be set up with which the union can interface with contractors for bargaining. At a previous tripartite meeting for the industry in July 2011, it was resolved that a contractors forum should be put in place to interface with the trade unions on contract workers’ unionization and negotiation of their conditions of service.

Nupeng raises issue with anti-union and unfair labour practices at Chevron Nigeria Limited, Nigeria Agip Oil Company and Shell Petroleum Development Company. Poor corporate behaviour of these multinationals includes arbitrary retrenchment and redundancies, resistance to unionisation, non-compliance with labour laws and disregard for government intervention on labour matters. Nupeng is also concerned that government has not confirmed and gazetted awards of the Industrial Arbitration Panel that were given in favour of the workers.

Nupeng has demanded that government urgently convene an Oil and Gas Conference for tripartite dialogue to address workers concerns.

In writing to the Nigerian government, IndustriALL General Secretary Jyrki Raina stated:

We are prepared to mobilise international action to support the Nupeng strike should the issues they have raised with you not be addressed. We ask that you engage with the union in constructive dialogue and to this end we support Nupeng’s call for an Oil and Gas Conference to seek lasting solutions to workers concerns.

Unionists of the world ride for workers’ rights

The event has been organized and led by members of the global union federation Public Services International (PSI), representatives of IndustriALL also joined the ride.

The ‘Route of Shame’ was planned in conjunction with the 102nd International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva. A major focus of the annual ILC is to determine whether countries are upholding their obligations to respect the rights of workers and their trade unions under International Labour Organization conventions. Numerous delegates participating in the ILC sessions were also invited to join the tour, in fact the organizers provided bicycles for those who did not have them.

The ride highlighted violations in Belarus, Russia, Turkey, Greece, Canada, Nigeria, Iran, Paraguay, Tunisia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Cameroon, Honduras, Dominican Republic and South Korea.

The ‘Route of Shame’ speakers spoke among others countries about Egypt where independent unions are being denied the right to strike or protest to silence their demands for a just society, abouton-going gross human rights violations in Turkey; about South Korea, where democratic unions are constantly denied recognition and workers are pushed into precarious employment; about Belarus, where consistent violation of freedom of association and collective bargaining still goes on, the case is being considered by ILC since 2000 and the Government fails to apply numerous ILO recommendations.

As part of the ‘Route of Shame’ action the participants of the rally delivered letters to the missions and embassies of the above mentioned countries denouncing on-going violations.

Zewu challenges the dismissal of their President in Labour Court

In July last year, 135 electricity workers were suspended without pay and benefits on charges of a threatened strike when the, Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa), claimed that it could not afford to give workers the wage increase in the collective agreement reached in January 2012.

After a protracted battle in which Zesa attempted to use the suspensions as leverage to have the Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union (Zewu) abandon the collective agreement, all but three workers were reinstated by November last year.

Zesa has victimised these three remaining workers because they are union leaders. Dickson Nyika, a Zewu branch secretary has not been granted an appeal hearing by Zesa. The union secured an external arbitration process for Dennis Mukote, a national executive member of Zewu and the award is pending.

Angeline Chitambo, President of Zewu and IndustriALL Executive Committee Member is challenging her dismissal in the labour court. Chitambo was dismissed at a hearing that took place in her absence on allegations that Chitambo disclosed confidential information at a press conference damaging the image of the company.

The situation for workers has not improved for workers as Zesa has not implemented the collective bargaining agreement, despite an arbitration award instructing them to do so and a criminal court ruling that Zesa must comply with the agreement. Workers have still not received wage increases which entitled workers of the lowest pay grade to a wage increase from US$190 to US$275 in 2012.

“We need to continue to mobilise on this campaign because workers have still received nothing despite arbitration awards and court rulings,” says Mbonisi Sibanda, Acting General Secretary of Zewu. “This is serious beyond our issue with Zesa, showing that the rule of law does not prevail in Zimbabwe. Today this is against workers but tomorrow it may be against someone else, undermining much needed investor confidence in Zimbabwe.”

IndustriALL General Secretary, Jyrki Raina has appealed to the Zimbabwe Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai to urgently intervene and compel ZESA to reinstate Chitambo immediately. Raina also asked the Prime Minister to instruct ZESA to implement the collective bargaining agreement, engage with the union for renewed dialogue and to stop victimisation of union leadership.

“We will continue to support ZEWU and Angeline Chitambo until this matter is successfully resolved and would like to contribute to restoration of harmony and fairness,” said Raina.

South African solidarity support for Nissan Mississippi Workers

Delegates from the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) including IndustriALL executive committee member Bob King and substitute member Kristyne Peter were joined by a worker and organizer from the Mississippi plant as well as a civil rights organization and community organization lending support to the campaign. But it was actor and activist Danny Glover, committed to raising awareness of the situation of US workers at the Nissan plant, that stole the show.

Hugely popular in South Africa, Danny Glover was well received by the public and media. He met with South African President Jacob Zuma and together with the rest of the delegation, was received also by several other government officials as well as those from the ruling party, the African National Congress.  

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) hosted the delegation in South Africa and organized several opportunities to engage with unionists and workers. Accompanied by Numsa, the delegation met with management of the Nissan plant in South Africa.

They spoke positively of their relationship with Numsa and said that they would put our concerns to the company in Japan,

said Peter.

Peter said that they had encountered this around the world, where Nissan has good relations with unions that organize at their plants. All except in the United States.

Whilst in Cape Town the delegation met with IndustriALL affiliate, the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union. "What made the Cape Town trip extra special was that President of the Australian Workers Union, Paul Howes, also an IndustriALL Exco member, made the effort to come to our press conference where he reaffirmed Australian workers’ solidarity to Nissan workers in Mississippi.”

Numsa organised a picket outside the Japanese Embassy on 4 June to call on the apenese government to reach out to Nissan and ensure it behaves as a good global corporate citizen. Demands of protestors included that Japanese owned car manufacturer Nissan must end union bashing in Mississippi, respect worker rights and end exploitative conditions including the lack of job security for its temporary workers.

“Nissan employs a high percentage of temporary workers who for years receive less pay, have limited benefits and have no job security,”

Said Numsa spokesperson, Castro Ngobese. 

Nissan can do better!

IndustriALL Executive Committee pays homage to Marcello Malentacchi

Opening the Executive Committee meeting at IG Metall headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, IndustriALL President Berthold Huber paid homage to the outstanding service of Marcello Malentacchi who served as General Secretary of the International Metalworkers’ Federation from 1989 to 2009. Marcello was a great, devoted and combative trade unionist who died on 24 May 2013 aged 66.

Delegates also mourned the 1,127 Bangladeshi garment workers killed in the Rana Plaza industrial homicide. General Secretary Jyrki Raina Day reminded the delegates of the amazing complacency of the global clothing brands, which only changed as more dead bodies were pulled out of the rubble day after day, and the global media outrage was so huge that IndustriALL and UNI managed to force the brands to the bargaining table. The legally binding Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh has already been signed by more than 40 major brands and retailers. IndustriALL has taken its place as a strong counterpart at the global level.

IndustriALL’s Executive Committee committed to a four-point action plan for Bangladesh:

General Secretary Jyrki Raina updated delegates on the negotiations around the Bangladesh Accord and other work.

Assistant General Secretary Kemal Ozkan updated the Executive Committee on IndustriALL’s priority work in the Middle East, focusing especially on the three key countries for action Egypt, Iraq and Tunisia. The Committee pledged its support for the persecuted oil workers’ union leader Hassan Juma’a in Iraq, and a training program with independent trade unions in Egypt. The next Executive Committee meeting is planned to be conducted in Tunis.

Assistant General Secretary Fernando Lopes presented IndustriALL’s program on organizing and campaigning, including training on skills for the staff and affiliates, continued action to stop precarious work, a corporate campaign against mining giant Rio Tinto, and action to guarantee human and union rights in Fiji.

Key challenges facing IndustriALL’s affiliates around the world were examined in Europe, Russia, South Africa, Colombia, Middle East and North Africa and elsewhere.

The victories of the Indonesian trade unions in the areas of minimum wages, precarious work, social security and pensions were commended by President Huber as an example for others to follow. Huber congratulated FSPMI leader Said Iqbal for receiving the Dutch Elizabeth Febe prize and promised continued support for the Indonesian unions.

Napoleon Gomez of Los Mineros in Mexico, a titular member of the IndustriALL Global Union Executive Committee, was once again blocked from travelling to take his seat due to a renewed court case in the sham legal claims against him by the Mexican authorities. Delegates committed to continue the long-term campaign to build strong, free and democratic unions in Mexico.