Solidarity
In the section Solidarity, the EMF posts letters of solidarity from trade unions in Europe and around the world.
EMF May Day Message
Dear Colleagues,
Recent developments in Europe are a real cause for concern for the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF). Neo-liberalism, deregulation and rigid austerity measures are threatening to change the European project to promote peace and secure prosperity beyond all recognition. This is not the Social Europe that trade unions have always fought for - a Europe of sustainable growth, with more and safer jobs, a Europe whose core task is harmonisation of the differing living conditions and a fair distribution of income and wealth, a Europe with more involvement and more rights for its citizens and workers.
Huge success for TU and civil society demonstration against Czech Coalition Government on 21st April
Over 100,000 participants took part in the demonstration organised by the trade union and civil society organisations on Saturday. The high attendance - it was the biggest demonstration since 1989 - was due to the developments on the Czech political scene and the fact that recent reforms implemented by Czech Government mean a further rise in costs for the whole population.
Photos to be found here!
Call for support for Turkish Crown Cork Workers
We have been informed by our affiliate, Birlesik Metal-Is, that the totally unacceptable situation regarding the violation of workers’ rights and managerial behaviour at Crown Cork Kocaeli and Osmaniye sites is persisting, even worsening.
Release of SPMK President, Hasan Abazi
.News has reached the EMF that Hasan has now been released. He conveyed his thanks for the help and solidarity messages he received during his incarceration. The EMF also sends thanks to its affiliates for their involvement and pressure with regards to getting Hasan out of jail.
The General Strike on 29 March was a great success
News from Spain on the General Strike 29th March 2012:
10.2 million workers supported the general strike, and 4 million people participated in the 111 demonstrations held all over the country.
The general strike called by CCOO and UGT on 29 March against labour reform and in defense of public services has been a resounding success.
Successful end to Electrolux strike in Romania
After a 20-day strike the workers at the Satu Mare plant went back to work on 21 February after management agreed to most of their demands. These included a wage increase and negotiation of a new collective agreement providing for more advantages (e.g. bonuses and overtime pay), facilities for carrying out trade union duties and better protection (e.g. severance pay) than that provided by legislation alone. The local unions expressed their thanks for all the support and expressions of solidarity they received. .
European Trade Union Day of Action a resounding success
Trade unions in all 27 countries of the EU have taken part in decentralised actions today. The message they carried to EU leaders condemns the kind of governance that is sending us straight into a recession and proposes alternatives for employment and social justice.
EMF/EMCEF and ETUF-TCL affiliates have mobilised widely, chiefly alongside their confederations. The Secretariats also took part, alongside other European industry federations, in the Brussels rally in front of the EU Council .
See here for video of ETUC General Secretary at the event and EMF photos.
Belgian Unions' General Strike 30 January - Success!
The united front of Belgian unions (ABVV/FGTB, CSC/ACV, ACLVB/CGSLB) has deemed the strike organised 30 January a success. Actions took place across the country with good participation from the public and private sectors.
The EMF Exectuive Committee which met yesterday adopted the following declaration of solidarity with the Belgian unions in their struggle against ruthless austerity measures:
Violations of workers' and trade union rights at Crown Cork Osmaniye, Turkey - EMF Support and Call for Solidarity
The EMF has written to the CEO of Crown Cork Turkey in protest at a totally unacceptable situation regarding the violation of workers’ rights and managerial behaviour at the company’s Osmaniya site.
The Mines: 500 Years of Plunder - Interview with Exiled Mexican Union Leader
IMF affiliate, the Mexican national union of Mine, Metal, Steel and Allied Workers of Mexico, Los Mineros, wishes to share with its European counterparts an article published in "La Journada" that has been widely circulated and read across Mexico. The publication provides an up-to-date account of the union’s efforts and struggles over the past five years - five years during which it has been the target of perverse political and economic persecution, union repression and corrupt company practices. Readers can learn how Mexican trade unionists, who expressed their support to the EMF during its actions against ArcelorMittal, have bravely stood up to and actively resisted these affronts, sometimes to the peril of their personal safety. Union leader Napoleon Gomez Urrutia provides awe-inspiring insight in an interview into the situation in Mexico and his 5 year exile to Canada, from which he now intends to return despite the risks to his safety.
The article which carries an important message to unionists across the world can be found attached. The IMF is actively supporting Mexican trade unions; details are available on the IMF website.
Bulgarian trade unions make headway by stopping proposed 'antisocial' bills thanks to national demonstration day but more action required...
Success has been achieved by Bulgarian confederations KNSB and Podrepa together with EMF affiliate TU Metalicy in their national demonstration which took place 30 November. KNSB and Podkrepa mustered some 25 – 30000 demonstrators to voice their anger and concern with regards to mass redundancies that have been enforced and to the antisocial laws the Bulgarian government has attempted to introduce. Bulgarian trade unions and workers were backed by delegations from Romania (FSLI-Metal and Solidaritatea Metal) and Hungary (VASAS).
General Strike in Portugal 24 November - Solidarity for Portuguese Workers!
EMF affiliates FIEQUIMETAL and SIMA of Portugal informed the EMF that confederations CGTP (the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers) and UGT decided to hold a General Strike 24th November 2011.
Successful outcome to strike of managerial, engineering and professional workers in Finland's technology industry
Late in the evening 6 November the strike committee met with the National Concilator. TEK and UIL who initiated the strike over a pay dispute obtained the wage increase they have been demanding. Although no agreement was reached on pay for travel outside working hours, TEK and UIL are happy wih the result and the good cooperation they enjoyed with other Finnish, national and European unions.
Call for solidarity for Belgian unions in response to ArcelorMittal site closure in Seraing (Belgium)
Today 26th October the EMF’s Belgian affiliates are organising a joint Trade Union Protest Action “Opération Ville morte”, starting with a huge demonstration in front of the Town Hall in Seraing (Liege) where the ArcelorMittal blast furnaces are located.
EMF affiliates are called upon to send their messages of support!
Solidarity with the workers at Fiat S.p.A in Termini Imerese and Irisbus
Solidarity address
The employees of FIAT in Termini Imerese (Italy) have been fighting for months for possible alternatives to the closure of their plant. However, FIAT has maintained its plans and the plant closure is scheduled for 31st December 2011. 2,500 employees will be directly or indirectly affected by this decision.
Precarious Work 2011
Updated 10th October
On 7th October ITUC's fourth edition of World Day for Decent Work takes place. In the run up to this global day on which the trade unions in the world stand up for decent work, the EMF is calling on its affiliates to step up their activities in the framework of its Precarious Work campaign. Affiliates are invited to inform the EMF of any actions or campaigns which are taking place in connection with the topic.
Hungarian Metalworkers' Federation Vasas take to the street in opposition against proposed labour law 'amendments'
VASAS informed the EMF of its concern over the 'reformed' draft labour code the Hungarian government is currently drawing up.
VASAS rejects the proposed legislation as it would pose a serious threat to the basic rights of Hungarian workers and their social protection. Furthermore the proposed "amendments" would be incompatible with, as well as being below the social standards laid down in the European Social Charter.
EMF urge management of GDS Group to reinstate dismissed Romanian trade union leader at site in Arad
EMF launches solidarity action and calls for European affiliates for support:
The EMF has contacted Giovanni Cariolato, President and CEO of the GDS group (specialises in electronics design and manufacturing) and Eveljn Vendramini, Deputy GDS CEO by letter to express its indignation and concern over the dismissal - in the middle of negotiations on a collective agreement - of a Romanian trade union leader.
Protest Letters below plus EMF call for solidarity (EN, FR, DE)
Birlesik plan protest action following continued abuse of trade union and basic workers' rights at MAS-DAF
Since April, more than 110 workers who were illegally fired after joining Birleşik Metal-İş have been holding pickets outside of the MAS-DAF Makina Sanayi factory in Düzce demanding their legitimate right to reinstatement.
MAS-DAF workers are planning to hold protest rallies in front of the ILO Office in Ankara on July 28 and in front of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on July 29.
MAS-DAF workers are fighting for reinstatement after being summarily fired for joining the Turkish union, Birleşik Metal-İş. In addtion they are protesting against being detained by police forces attempting to stop the union’s second round of actions to force the government to intervene.
Global Day of Action
22 June 2011
The Global Day of Action on the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) takes place on 22 June.
EU Finance ministers will be meeting on the 15 June and European Council will be meeting on 23-24 June. This will be a key moment in the campaigning calender to influence decision makers ahead of the G20 in November.
IBM 100 years - time for workers' rights
On IBM’s 100th birthday, workers ask the company to respect their rights
To mark IBM’s 100th birthday, IBM trade union members have produced a happy birthday video, in which they tell the company it should treat its workers better in its next century.
Global Action Day on 14 June 2011!
Peter Scherrer awarded Heart of trade union solidarity
Today Peter Scherrer, General Secretary of the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF), received the ‘Heart of trade union solidarity’ Award.
The award was presented to him by the Presidency of the Council of UATUC/Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Croatia (SMH-IS) at the EMF Congress, which is currently held in Duisburg, Germany. Peter Scherrer is the first non-Croatian metalworker to receive the award.
Vedran Dragicevic, SMH-IS President and Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary
Alstom Action Day
For an industrial development strategy in Europe -
Against job cuts and forced redundancies
On 30 May 2011, the trade unions with membership within Alstom are mobilising for a European Action Day at the company’s sites and within the respective surrounding industrial communities of the various countries, to call for an Alstom industrial development offensive in Europe and oppose any job cuts and forced redundancies.
Solidarnosc protest
On the occasion of the European Maritime Day, organised by the European Commission in Gdansk, Poland on 19-20 May, the EMF affiliated organisation Solidarnosc staged a demonstration.
Violations of Workers’ Rights at MAS DAF in Turkey
The EMF and IMF have today sent a letter to management at MAS DAF Makina Sanayi in Turkey regarding continued serious violations of internationally recognized labour rights at the operations in the Duzce Organized Industrial Zone in Turkey.
The EMF and IMF approached management in October 2010 but labour violations continue.
Trade union rights in Belarus
Honeywell lockout may put communities at risk
On 9-10 May in Brussels, Unite the Union (UK) is facilitating a small delegation of United Steelworkers (USW) representatives from the Honeywell Uranium facility based in Metropolis, Illinois.
Left to Right: John Paul Smith; Peter Scherrer: Dan Flippo; Jonathan Hayward; Stephen Lech
The purpose of the visit is to raise awareness about the current situation that has developed at the plant, which has been a lockout of its union workers since 28 June 2010, over a dispute whereby the workers have refused to accept the company’s proposal to eliminate retiree health care and pension plans for new hires and increase workers’ out-of-pocket health care to $8,500 a year.
Global call for sustainable electronics
It is hard to imagine a world without electronics - mobile phones, lap tops, tablets and all the rest. We all use them on a daily basis, at work and at home. Electronics have improved our lives in many ways and also provided work for many people in developing countries and also here at home.
In the drive to keep costs low and incomes high the workers pay the price through low salaries and basically non existent labour rights and conditions. It is time to say stop - make electronics work for workers!
On 7 May 2011 makeITfair and GoodElectronics, organisations that the EMF supports actively, have joined hands in an international action day focusing on giant electronics contract manufacturers.
EMF President Ambrosetti addressed euro scepticism on 1 May
EMF President Renzo Ambrosetti (Unia, Switzerland) spoke at the May Day event at Landschaftspark Nord in Duisburg, Germany.
He addressed the political and financial difficulties that many European workers are facing.
The speech entitled 'Für ein Europa der Investitionen, Gerechtigkeit und Solidarität!' is available here for download.
In picture: Renzo Ambrosetti, EMF President addresses the demonstrators at the 1 May manifestation at Landschaftspark Nord, Duisburg.
Commemorating dead, ill and injured workers
On 28 April the EMF is joining the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Hazards.org in commemorating workers who have died or got ill/injured at work and we continue fighting for improved occupational health and safety.
Turkey: Mass strike against MESS
Birlesik Metal-Is in Turkey has decided to go on strike in 21 companies after a conflict with MESS (Metal Employers' Federation). The strike takes pace during March and April in several companies around the country.
Libya: Halt the killing and let the people freely express themselves now
The European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) is following the situation in North Africa and the Middle-East closely, as the people across the region make a welcome call for deep change and for the full respect of their political, social and economic rights.
We stand with them against dictatorships and support their call for democratic participation.
Solidarity with the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia
The EMF expresses its full solidarity and support with the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia against the Slovenian Government's determination to enforce a new form of work, which will substantially reduce workers’ rights and increase precarious work.
EMF letter of condolences to colleagues in Japan
The EMF expresses its deepest sympathy to the members of the Japan Council of Metalworkers' Unions with respect to the earthquake and associated catastrophic events that have happened in Japan in the past few days.
Johnson Matthey’s workers will not be silenced
Joint press release from the Belgian unions (CNE, ACV-CSC Metea, MWB-FGTB and SETCa). Version française ci-dessous.
Since the announcement by the group management on 31 January of their intention to close the Brussels plant, the workers of Johnston Matthey have not accepted their fate passively.
Demonstration in Brussels on 14 March 2011.
Violations of Workers’ Rights at Tecasa Isi Kontrol As. in Turkey
The EMF and IMF have sent a joint letter to management at Tecasa Isi Kontrol As. in Turkey after reports from affiliated organisation Birlesik Metal-Is of ongoing labour violations.
Mexico - Days of Action
14-19 February 2011
The continued violations of the right to freedom of association by the Mexican government must stop.
The European Metalworkers' Federation supports the International Metalworkers' Federation in the Global Days of Action and calls for all its affiliates to take part.
Demonstration in Kocaeli, Turkey
A demonstration in Kocaeli, Turkey, located about 1 hour from Istanbul, took place today. It was organised by EMF affiliated organisation Birlesik Metal-Is.
Ireland: Wage setting mechanisms for low-paid sectors
This Union has become aware that the European Commission is involved in discussions with the Irish Government to influence a review of wage-setting mechanisms for certain low-paid sectors of the Irish economy. Workers employed in these industries are not highly unionised and would generally not be covered by collective bargaining agreements, e.g. Cleaners, Catering Operatives, Hotel Staff, Hairdressers, Security Guards.
