Solidarity
In the section Solidarity, the EMF posts letters of solidarity from trade unions in Europe and around the world.
Kremikovtzi declares bankruptcy: Bulgarian Trade unions ask for certain Government guarantees
Kremikovtzi, Bulgaria’s largest steel company, has declared bankruptcy and the procedure for sales of company assets is in progress. The EMF affiliate, Trade Union “Metalicy” has jointly organised with its Confederation CITUB, a press conference to voice the trade union demands.
FIOM CGIL to contest in court FIAT's totally unfair dismissal and treatment of four of its workers
In Italy last week Fiat sacked four workers simply because they had expressed disagreement towards Fiat's new proposals. The proposals, which amount to threats, involve only investing in production provided workers make concessions on conditions and rights. In response FIOM CGIL organised an action across the FIAT group in Italy and vowed to take on FIAT in court to have these dismissals reversed. More information on this is available on FIOM CGIL's website and the IMF website.
Philips workers from Plauen on strike in front of Philips HQ in Eindhoven over announced job cuts
Monday 19th July - Philips workers travelled 700 km from their site in Plauen, Germany to the Headquarters of Philips Lighting to protest against job cuts. The Plauen site where they make automotive lighting is in existence for 62 years and was taken over by Philips in 1991. Philips wants to relocate the production of H4 lamps from Plauen to Pabianice in Poland the cost of which will be 150 of the 400 jobs in Plauen. Philips is one of the largest employers in Plauen and these job cuts will have a severe impact on this economically weak region.
Photos of the action available here.
Violations of workers' rights at IBM Bulgaria
Joint letter to IBM management from EMF, IMF and UNI Global Union
The three federations have been contacted by the affiliated organisation NFTINI Podkrepa with regard to serious violations of the freedrom of association, an internationally recognized basic right of all workers.
Violations of Workers’ Rights at Winkelman Renewable Duzce plant in Turkey
The EMF and IMF are extremely concerned about serious violations of internationally recognized labour rights at Winkelman Renewable Duzce plant in Turkey.
Violations of trade union association rights at TI Otomotiv in Turkey
The EMF and IMF write to management of TI Automotive after being informed by affiliated organisation Birlesik Metal-Is about serious violations of freedom of association at TI Otomotiv company located in Nilufer Organized Industrial Zone in Bursa, Turkey.
EMF supports Serbian Gradac factory workers
The EMF has been informed by Serbian affiliate, GSM Nezavisnost, of the very difficult situation faced by workers of Gradac screws factory in Valjevo, Serbia.
Solidarity with the colleagues at Indesit Italy
The EMF expresses its full support of the workers at the Indesit plants in Brembante and Regront (Italy) in their current strike action and struggle against the closure of the two plants.
Cat out of the bag at Vaillant
Information from the European Works Council of the Vaillant Group on the MP3 Project.
The management let the cat out of the bag in the middle of April. It revealed its ideas regarding the renewed restructuring of production in a presentation of the MP3 Project.
Resolution of the trade union coordination group on JohnsonControls
Meeting in Brussels, 7th June 2010
The EMF, EMCEF, ETUF-TCL and UNI European JohnsonControls Trade Union Coordination meeting in Brussels on 7 June, attended by 24 representatives of JohnsonControls workers and trade unions from Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, France, Poland and Slovakia, urges JohnsonControls to respect the rights of workers at the JohnsonControls FINSA plant in Puebla, Mexico to affiliate to the union of their choice.
Streikbruch abgelehnt
"Ohne eure Unterstützung wäre unser Streik kein Erfolg gewesen, hätten wir es nicht gepackt", sagte Thierry Heuraux, der Betriebsratsvorsitzende von TRW France S.A.S in Ramonchamp bei Mülhausen (Elsass).
In dem Flugblatt, das Heuraux und weitere acht französische Gewerkschafter nach ihrer 500 Kilometer langen Anreise in Schalke Nord verteilten, heißt es: "Ihr habt wunderbar reagiert."
Foto: Ralf Nattermann
EMF supports Greek trade union call for social justice
The EMF, together with the ITUC and ETUC, regret and condemn the murders which took place in Athens.
The Greek trade unions GSEE and Adedy are staging an enormous strike in Athens today. Adedy's top figure, Spyros Papaspyros summed up the reason why the Greeks are taking to the streets: "We want an end to the freefall of our living standards”.
EMF General Secretary, Peter Scherrer is taking part in the strike, showing solidarity with Greek colleagues. For the EMF and all trade unions it is essential to ensure workers do not pay price for the crisis, again!
International Commemoration Day
Today trade unions around the world are commemorating those workers who have lost their lives, were injured or fell ill due to unsafe, unhealthy or unsustainable work.
The EMF is today particularly concerned about those workers in the metalworking industry who are working under precarious conditions.
Condolences with Polish colleagues
To the EMF affiliated organisation in the Republic of Poland
The EMF expresses its deepest condolences to the colleagues in Poland on the sad loss of the Polish President and numerous high-ranking members of the Polish Government and state institutions.
In Poland, Russia and all over the world this tragic loss has raised deeply felt grief for the victims and their families.
Support for Maflow workers in Trezzano protest demonstration
The protest demonstration takes place on 26th March 2010 in Munich
The EMF expresses its support for the Italian workers at the Maflow plant in Trezzano, who are faced with possible job loses following the decision of the BMW management to suspend its orders to the Maflow plant in Milan.
SKEI and management come to an agreement leading to cancellation of planned strike
Folowing the EMF's call to its affiliates to show solidarity with Slovenian member organisation, SKEI regarding the tough situation faced by workers at Palfinger d.o.o. in Maribor, Slovenia, SKEI and management have come to an agreement. Consequently, SKEI called off the planned strike scheduled for March 11th.
The employer and the strike committee were able to agree on a joint proposal which is detailed in a letter below sent by SKEI to the EMF. SKEI thanks the EMF, the IMF and their affiliates for all the solidairty they have expressed.
Update on Alcatel Lucent, Battipaglia, Italy
In the evening of 8 March, after 29 days of plant occupatiion, the three workers came out of the plant.
The decision to leave the plant was taken after a long period of non official negotiations between unions and the Italian government.
In the afternoon of 8 March, a letter from the Italian vice minister of telecommunications was sent stating the engagement and the restart of a new negotiation round between management, unions and government to define a new industrial project.
In the next days a date of the meeting for the new negotiation will be scheduled. Now starts the very difficult phase of defining an agreement.
Solidarity with workers at Mahle Mopisan, Turkey
Mahle Mopisan is a company located in Izmir, Turkey and produces motor componenets. There are 510 workers in the factory and Birlesik Metal-Is organises the majority of them. Currently the workers are intimidated by management to in stead join the yellow union Turk Metal.
European Action Day at Bosch Europe
Metalworkers call for a coherent and consistent industrial policy and for consequent social responsibility of Bosch.
Bosch workers in seven countries (more than 21 production sites) participate on Monday, 22nd February 2010 in protest actions to defend employment.
European action day at Bosch Europe
Metalworkers call for a coherent and consistent industrial policy and for consequent social responsibility of Bosch.
Bosch workers in seven countries (more than 21 production sites) participate on Monday, 22nd February 2010 in protest actions to defend employment.
Violation of association rights at DY-SK Metal in Turkey
Information from Birlesik Metal-Is
6 workers are fired, DY-SK METAL Management threatens workers one by one
DY-SK Metal is a joint venture of Daiyang Metal Korea Co (%70) and SK Networks (%30). The company produces stainless steel and is located in Corlu European Free Zone. There are 140 workers in the factory and 26 of them are from South Korea. 90% of the workers in the factory are members of Birlesik Metal-Is.
Violation of trade union rights at Ecoendustri in Turkey
The EMF affiliate, Birlesik Metal-Is informed of the violation of workers’ right to join a union in Ecoendustri company in Turkey.
Following the workers' application for trade union representation at Ecoendustri, the company fired 15 trade unionists, while putting constant pressure on other members to resign from the trade union. Birlesik Metal-Is is demanding management reinstates the dismissed workers and enters fair negotiation with the union.
4 hour strike for all workers of Italian plants of FIAT Group
Italian trade unions FIM, FIOM, UILM and FISMIC have decided to start an action in order to bring FIAT and Italian Government to take decisions for the re-launch of Italian automotive sector.
EMF supports Belgian confederation call for demonstration
Demonstration on 29 January 2010
For employment and respecting workers and social justice!
Main demands: stop social dumping, maintain and create employment, more jobs for the young and unemployed, regulate government aid supporting job creation, safeguard jobs in public services, support for unemployed.
Strike in Automotive Lightening Reutlingen and call for solidarity
Message of support for German workers’ strike for a Transfer- and Social Collective Agreement for Automotive Lightening (AL), Reutlingen (D) and call for solidarity to avoid relocation of work affected by the strike.
ICEM and IMF condemn Mittal's failure to pay wages owed to chemical workers in Bosnia-Herzegovina
The ICEM and IMF are demanding that the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina intervene on behalf of 1,250 workers in the northern city of Lukavac. The workers have had their pay slashed and are owed wage arrears by India-based Global Infrastructure Holdings Ltd., a subsidiary of the Ispat Group, owned by the Mittal steel-making family.
EMF supports the 2000 protesting workers of the Montenegrin Nikšićka Željezara steel company
Around 2000 workers of the Montenegrin Nikšićka Željezara steel company are protesting in opposition to unpaid wages and the termination of production at the company. The company, Montenegro Speciality Steels MNSS (British majority-owner), has been experiencing financial difficulties since October 2009, when production was halted. Since then wages have not been paid.
Saab manifestation today
Today around 4 000 employees at Saab stopped working and held a manifestation at the plant in Trollhättan, Sweden in protest of GM.
Fatal accidents and extremely precarious conditions continue in Turkish shipyards
The EMF sent a letter of condolences to Limter-Is President, Cem Dinc and Limter-Is General Secretary Karber Saygili (with a copy to Birlesik Metal-Is) concerning the further fatal accidents and precarious working conditions in Tuzla Shipyards.
Trade union protest against new labour law in Croatia stopped by police barricades
Trade union confederations in Croatia: Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Croatia (UATUC), Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (NHS), Croatian Association of Trade Unions (HUS) and Worker’s Trade Union Association of Croatia (URSH) organized today public debate on the final draft of the new Labour law which has not taken into account trade union demands, on Ban Jelacic square in Zagreb. The debate continued with the protest action. The protestors who marched towards Marko’s square, where Croatian Parliament is situated were stopped by police barricades.
Turkish court suspends decision on Sinter Metal case until March
Sinter Metal workers who have been fighting for reinstatement since December 2008 after they were fired for joining the union, Birlesik Metal - IS, attended yet another unsuccessful court session in Istanbul on November 13th 2009. The decision on the legality of their dismissals is postponed for another four months.
One day general warning strike in Slovenia
A one day warning strike was announced on 13 November 2009 by SKEI, Slovenia.
For Alcatel-Lucent jobs in Europe
For a European industrial policy in information and communication technologies
European Action Day on 10 November 2009
EMF and IMF launch solidarity campaign for financial support to Turkish Sinter Metal workers
Metalworkers across Europe and globally are called on to donate funds in support of 350 struggling Sinter Metal workers, fighting for reinstatement since December 2008.
Workers of Sinter Metal in Turkey have been fighting for their jobs and their rights since December 2008 after being fired for joining the union, Birlesik Metal-IS, an affiliate of the European Metalworkers’ Federation and International Metalworkers’ Federation.
EMF fully supports AREVA EWC views on proposed AREVA T&G sale
Areva EWC Press Conference, Paris 3 November 2009
The Areva EWC is holding a press conference in Paris on 3 November. It will set out the various social, industrial and financial issues involved in the proposed sale of AREVA T&D on the basis of the expert report commissioned by the AREVA EWC. In this somewhat unclear dossier, the very principle of the sale will be questioned since Areva’s EWC considers that the sale places T&D at risk, nor is the sale essential as far as the Group’s finances are concerned.
The Areva EWC view of the proposed T&D sale is fully supported by the EMF
International trade union support for workers in shipyards
During today’s discussion with Vedran Dragičević, SMH Acting President, the General Secretary of the European Metalworkers’ Federation, Peter Scherrer, supported all trade union activities undertaken by the Metalworkers’ Trade Union of Croatia (SMH) towards the Croatian Government with the aim of saving Croatian shipyards.
CGT national demonstration in Paris today
CGT is organising a national demonstration today in Paris against changes to work organisation, introduction of short-time, job lossese among temporary workers, relocation strategies to low-cost countries of companies in the aeronatuics and space companies.
A petition will be handed to the French aerospace industries association GIFAS.
Federal Mogul EWC expresses solidarity with Italian workers in Desenzano
See text below in French.
GM workers across Europe mobilise in Antwerp today
Today 23 September 2009 between 3,000 and 5,000 European workers are present at the Opel plant in Antwerp in response to the EMF call for mobilisation and solidarity in the light of the current restructuring of GM Europe and the threat of closure of the Antwerp plant.
