Workplaces

Unions intervene in WTO litigation

May 152012
 
 Workplaces

NGOs dispute Japan, EU challenge to Canadian renewable energy policy.

from the USW

Canadian NGOs and labour unions have sent an amicus curiae submission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the eve of a second hearing tomorrow into Japan's and the European Union's joint attack on the Ontario Green Energy Act. The groups address Canada's failure to properly defend Ontario's actions and call upon the WTO to respect the priority of Canada's international climate change obligations.

"These are the first international trade disputes which create the potential for conflict between a nation's commitments under the WTO and its obligations under the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. The dispute raises fundamental questions about whether the goals of trade liberalization can be reconciled with ecological imperatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and if not, which are to prevail," says the joint amicus curiae submission from Blue Green Canada, the Canadian Auto Workers, the Canadian Federation of Students, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union of Canada, the Council of Canadians and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

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Jobless in Euro zone

May 082012
 
 Workplaces

And: strike continues in Amazon zone; Irish sit-in ends.

by Harry Kelber

Jobless rate reaches new high in Euro zone 
Unemployment in the Euro zone rose to a new high in March, according to figures released May 2. The data came a few days before the crucial elections in France and Greece, and it is likely to prompt more intense calls for an easing of Europe's austerity drive.

Unemployment in the 17 countries that constitute the euro zone rose to 10.0 percent in March. Last year, it was 9.9 percent for the same month. The monthly increase, the 11th in a row, translates into more than 17 million people, and is in line with other recent indicators that shoe the euro zone economy remains distressed. Manufacturing hit a 34-month low in April.

As growth has faltered, around the euro zone, some policy makers have begun to talk more about the need to balance budget-cutting with measures to promote growth. But it is not yet clear how they will do so, with investors reluctant to lend governments any more money, and citizens in wealthier countries like Germany, are not willing to subsidize their neighbors.

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PSAC’s convention

May 082012
 
 Workplaces

Hostile environment facilitates civil meeting.

by John Baglow

Every three years, the Public Service Alliance of Canada holds its Convention — the supreme governing body of the PSAC. I've attended ten of them, once as an observer, six as a delegate/officer, and three as a guest. They can be brutal occasions, as any extended accountability session tends to be.

At Convention, the top leadership of the Alliance is placed under a microscope. Candidates for National President and National Executive Vice-President in the next three-year cycle live a tense few days. The budget for that cycle, having been through more than a week of committee scrutiny, can take a lot of Convention time as well, especially if there is a proposed dues increase. I chaired the Finance Committee twice, and in 2000 I spent two and a half days on the podium under the hot lights — literally and figuratively.

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Insult to injured workers

May 012012
 
 Workplaces

McGuinty’s choice of WSIB Chair called a betrayal.

from the Ontario Network of Injured Worker Groups

The Ontario Network of Injured Worker Groups (ONIWG) held an emergency meeting April 30
as a result of Premier McGuinty’s choice of Elizabeth Witmer as the new Chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.  ONIWG is the umbrella organization representing local injured worker groups across Ontario.

“McGuinty has betrayed injured workers for political gain.” said Karl Crevar, Treasurer of ONIWG.“Elizabeth Witmer is responsible for the mess our workers’ compensation is in today and McGuinty put her in charge of the WSIB?  I feel the Premier has betrayed the injured workers of Ontario.”

Witmer was the Minister of Labour during the Harris government, which reduced employers’ WSIB rates by about 30 percent between 1996 and 2001.  During the recent WSIB Funding Review by labour arbitrator Harry Arthurs, the WSIB acknowledged that if employer rates had been left at 1996 levels, the WSIB’s unfunded liability would have been eliminated by 2006.  The unfunded liability is now about $12 billion.  Although this issolely the result of employers not paying enough premiums, injured workers are now being forced to pay
through benefit cuts.

As Labour Minister for the Harris government, in 1997 Witmer brought in major changes to the
workers’ compensation system known as Bill 99.  At the time, Liberal MPP Dwight Duncan called the bill“draconian” and “a backward step”.

Symbolically, the bill removed “workers” and “compensation” from the name of the Board and brought private insurance industry practices into the system.  Benefit levels were reduced, cost of living adjustments were virtually eliminated, compensation for workplace stress was eliminated and the formerly independent Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal was required to apply WSIB policy.
[pulquote]“Bill 99 privatized vocational rehabilitation.  From then on, all the money went to private service providers.”[/pulquote]
“Bill 99 privatized vocational rehabilitation” said Peter Page, ONIWG President.  “From then on, all the money went to private service providers.  Injured workers got second rate training in fly-by-night schools and employers would not hire them….We fought Witmer’s privatized system for more than 10 years.  We finally convinced the WSIB to cancel the privatized services last year, and now she’s back!”

A 2009 study by KPMG of the WSIB Labour Market Re-entry Program found that one and a half years after successful completion of a WSIB training program, a little over 50 percent of the graduates remained unemployed although their WSIB benefits had been cut on
completion of the training.

“Since Witmer brought in Bill 99, poverty has risen dramatically for injured workers.  We did a survey of injured workers recently.  We found an 80 percent drop in full time employment after injury, nearly half had to give up their homes and 30 percent were relying on food banks.

"All this comes as a result of the changesbrought in by Witmer and Harris.  You can imagine how injured workers feel to see Elizabeth Witmer appointed to head up the WSIB,” said Steve Mantis, Secretary of ONIWG.

 

Colombia: retail workers win contract

Apr 302012
 
 Workplaces

Historic moment for Carrefour Colombia Workers Union as it signs first collective agreement.

from UNI Global Union

NYON, Switzerland, April 27, 2012  — UNI Global Union welcomed the signing of an historic first collective agreement at Carrefour Colombia that it says should serve as a new model for labour relations in the country. Along with the gains for Carrefour Colombia the workers, the agreement is notable for the fair and secure organising collective bargaining process that created it.

“We hope this marks the start of a new era for trade union freedom in Colombia, which is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a trade unionist,” said UNI Global Union General Secretary Philip Jennings. “We salute the tremendous courage, commitment and solidarity of the Carrefour workers. They have made history in Colombia. We also recognise the work of company management who came to the negotiating table in good faith.”

The Unión de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de Carrefour Colombia (UTCC) was formed in 2011 on the basis of the Global Agreement signed by UNI Global Union and the French multinational. With the commitment of the company to recognise its Colombian employees’ rights, the workers moved with incredible speed and strength to build the union. Negotiations for the collective agreement started in late March and were concluded on April 23.

“This is a positive and productive agreement that is very close to the union’s expectations before the negotiations started,” said UTCC President and store worker Luz Marina Díaz. “The victory for workers is not just what’s in the agreement but also the respect and better treatment we have won in the workplace.”

The biggest win is a clause saying the company cannot fire union members without a union representative present.

Nyon, Switzerland, 27 April 2012: UNI Global Union welcomed the signing of an historic first collective agreement at Carrefour Colombia

She said the biggest win is the clause that says the company cannot fire union members without a union representative present.

UNI Americas is working with its unions to change the face of labour relations in Colombia. In November 2011 a forum of key employers and UNI affiliates was held in Bogota with the aim of beginning a course of change to end the culture of violence and impunity that has threatened Colombian workers and unions for decades. Carrefour has been a constructive partner for UNI in Colombia.

“This agreement and the work and attitude of Carrefour Colombia management and the union are an excellent example of how we can work together to promote the freedom of association and collective bargaining rights that we have laid out in the Global Agreement,” said Jean-Luc Delenne, Director of Global Labour Relations at Carrefour.

The highlights of the two-year collective agreement include:

·        A 2 percent wage increase over the rate of inflation;
·        Permanent contracts for all workers with at least 6 months of seniority;
·        Vacation and food bonuses as well as an allowance for eyeglasses;
·        Recognition of the rights of trade union representatives and leaders to carry out their work; and
·        Procedures for grievances and social dialogue.

The Escuela Nacional Sindical was a key supporter as well, providing information and expertise to the union leaders and members during the organising and bargaining process.

“With this agreement, Carrefour is saying publicly that it recognises and accepts the union at the national level and the union representatives in each of its 72 stores,” said Luciano Sanín, director general of the Escuela Nacional Sindical. This is the first time that a union has created a workplace-based structure with the union present in every workplace, every community and at the national level.”

The UTCC also said the new collective agreement exceeds the benefits of the company’s “collective pact”, an individual employment contract commonly used in Colombia to keep workers from joining a union. Carrefour Colombia has agreed to phase out collective pacts in the coming months so that it can turn the page on its labour practices and focus on social dialogue to ensure a just and equitable workplace.
 

UNI Global Union represents 20 million workers in the skills and services sectors around the world.

www.uniglobalunion.org

Twitter: @uniglobalunion

Communication Workers Union on Carrefour negotiations http://www.cwu.ie/UNI-Historic-vote-in-Colombia-as-Carrefour-workers-elect-union-representatives.1258.1.aspx

Unions in developing nations

Apr 222012
 
 Workplaces

News from Indonesia, Kenya, Brazil and Bangladesh, as well as Australia and Belgium.

by Harry Kelber

Indonesia ratifies convention on migrant workers
On April 12, Indonesia's Parliament ratified a UN convention on the protection of migrant workers, in a move that will offer greater rights to millions of Indonesians working abroad. "The next step is to sign national legislation with the standards already set," said lawmaker Rieke Diah Pitaloka.

Ratification obliges countries to ensure workers' basic human rights, as well as the right to return to their home countries, the right to be informed of conditions before taking up employment, and the right to form unions.

Indonesia's foreign ministry estimates that at least three million Indonesians work abroad, but poor documentation suggests the true number is likely much higher.

Kenya's aviation union strikers ignore "return to work" order
More than 300 airport workers have struck the Kenya Airport Authority (KAA). to protest low salaries and demand an increase in meal allowances. Operations at the country's airports have been disrupted; local and international passengers have complained of delays. The strikers marched to Cobu's offices at Solidarity House to protest against the new NHIF rates.

The Aviation and Allied Workers Union has rejected the new NHIF rates and has refused an order to end their strike and return to work that would lead to their discharge if they failed to comply. Cobu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli blamed KAA for the continuation of the strike A KAA statement called the strike illegal and said that under the Employment Act, desertion of duty may lead to dismissal from service.

Over the last few weeks, the KAA has been negotiating with the union on ending the strike, but thus far no agreement has been reached, even after the courts ruled that the strike was illegal. A letter from the Ministry of Labor, dated April 2, advised the union to withdraw the strike notice and give dialogue a chance.

Labor organizer who exposed dangerous conditions is tortured and killed
A labor organizer who helped ABC News expose dangerous working conditions at garment factories in Bangladesh was tortured and killed last week, according to authorities. "All indications are that Aminul Islam was murdered because of his labor rights work," said Scott Nova, executive director of the Worker Rights Commission, an American group working to improve conditions at factories abroad that make clothes for US companies.

Islam had been serving as a senior organizer for the Bangladeshi Center for Worker Solidarity. . He had most recently been involved in efforts to organize workers at garment factories owned by a company called the Shanta Group. According to shipping records, the company makes clothing for numerous well-known American companies, including Tommy Hilfiger, Nike and Lauren.

Bangladesh is currently the cheapest place in the world for garment manufacturers to make clothing. Workers can make as little as 21 cents an hour. According to organizers, many workers are kept under locked gates, despite highly inflammable garment material.

Australian steelworkers meet in a bid to save their industry
The Australian Workers Union (AWU) will hold an emergency meeting of steelworkers from across the country in Melbourne on April 12 to address the worsening crisis facing the steel industry. More than 80 steelworkers from all major steel plants will meet with representatives of federal and state governments as well as heads of industry, to discuss and plan strategies to save the struggling Australian steel industry.

AWU National Secretary Paul Howes said the crisis facing the steel industry had worsened in recent months and that more was needed to be done to save the strategically vital sector. "We have already seen over 1,000 jobs go from BlueScope's Porr Kemble and Western Port plants, and Onesteel has confirmed that it will shed up to 430 jobs by the end of this financial year."

"Steel is an important strategy resource," Howes said. "Without a steel industry," there is no manufacturing industry. Key issues to be discussed at the meeting include illegal dumping from overseas markets; lack of action from the Reserve Bank, and the impact of the mining boom.

Brazil's World Cup construction sites disrupted by strike over wages
Workers building a World Cup stadium in Northeastern Brazil decided to remain on strike to demand better pay and improved benefits. The strike in Fortaleza entered its second week after workers rejected an offer made by the construction companies involved in the project.

Workers in the northeast city of Natal also refused to return to work despite losing a court decision ordering them to halt their 10-day work stoppage. Employers said that if the strike continues, it would jeopardize the construction of the stadium. Workers said they would not return to work until they got a better offer.

Employers have offered wage increases of from 14 percent to 21 percent, depending on skills, but strikers have rejected the offer as insufficient. World Cup organizers said that work on the Castelao stadium was 60 percent completed. It will host six World Cup matches.

Brussels transport strike extended after fatal attack
Brussels public transport workers decided to extend their strike by at least two days, keeping buses, trams and metros idle for almost a week after a colleague was fatally beaten. The work stoppage, which was on its fourth day, will continue until the same day as the funeral for a supervisor who died after being punched in the face, following an accident between a bus and a car.

The government has announced plans to deploy 400 extra police officers in Brussels and recruit 50 agents for the public transport system, following Saturday's assault, but it will take months to materialize. Unions have demanded quicker action to stem what they see as an alarming number of attacks on public sector transport workers.

The supervisor, 56-year-old Iliaz Tahiraj, was punched in the face by a friend of the driver of the car and died later in the hospital. A suspect, Alexandre Vander Elst, 28, was remanded in custody after giving himself up to police.

 

Harry Kelber, founder and editor of LaborEducator.org, has devoted his entire adult life to the labor movement as an organizer, strike leader, union printer, labor editor, pamphleteer, professor of labor studies and author of several books and booklets.

His weekly column, The World of Labor, reports the struggles and victories of unions in countries around the globe. Go to their website linked below.

Website: http://www.LaborEducator.org

Marching for smelter workers

Apr 042012
 
 Workplaces

Alma Quebec hosts massive demonstration in support of Rio Tinto's locked-out workers.

from United Steel Workers

ALMA, March 31, 2012 — Thousands of people marched through the streets of Alma in Lac Saint-Jean today to demand an end to the lock out and to fight for the preservation of jobs at the Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) smelter. Three months and one day after the multinational corporation's reprehensible lock out of its workers, largely subsidized by public funds, citizens from the region, families, workers and unionists from all over the world have their eyes set on RTA. The General Secretary of the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF), Jyrki Raina, said an international movement of resistance against this global corporation is imperative.

"Companies such as Rio Tinto need to remember that they are making their profits thanks to the communities in which they are operating. They need to show respect for current and future workers and stop callously cutting labour costs and decent jobs without any regard for the local economy," Raina said.

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AFL wades into April election

Mar 272012
 
 Workplaces

Labour Fed names top three issues for working Albertans.

from the Alberta Federation of Labour

Alberta's labour movement is changing how we do things. We're asking the parties to talk about the issues that are important to us. If parties agree with us on our priorities, we're asking the 145,000 members of the AFL to help elect those new voices to the Legislature.

Forty years of the same government has taught us there are limits to lobbying Conservative MLAs.

We cannot hope to have a government that shares our values when our world view is fundamentally different from the Conservatives. We cannot simply "convince" the PCs of what's important to us. They may tell us what we want to hear at election time. But after election day, the record shows that on the economy, health care, and public services, conservative parties do not share our values.

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Cities want local sources

Mar 132012
 
 Workplaces

Municipal opposition grows to Canada-EU trade pact.

from CUPE

As the Harper government pushes to wrap up trade talks with the European Union, there is growing concern in Canadian municipalities representing nearly four million citizens about the dangers of the new deal.

Canadian trade negotiators are in Brussels this week and next for an 11th round of talks on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

Last week, councilors in Toronto and Thorold, Ontario joined 26 other municipalities in calling for exemptions from CETA, and for a full public debate on the pact. Another 23 communities have expressed concern about CETA restrictions on local government powers. Together, these municipalities represent almost four million Canadians.

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