15 April, 2011Members of the Sindicato de Trabajadores de Tubos Caribe (SINTRATUCAR) union at Tenaris Tubos del Caribe Ltd received new death threats. The union has denounced the situation and is asking for protection from the Colombian government.
COLOMBIA: Members of the Sindicato de Trabajadores de Tubos Caribe (SINTRATUCAR) union at Tenaris Tubos del Caribe Ltd received new death threats. Union lawyers also received mysterious phone calls telling them that they would be killed. The union has denounced the situation and is asking for protection from the Colombian government.
Union and employer relations are improving, monthly meetings are conducted regarding working conditions and production goals, and both parties are satisfied with the results of their exchanges.
Tenaris workers contribute to a fund which is to be used for mortgages, purchase of vehicles, family emergencies and more. Each employee contributes five per cent of their salary to the fund and Tenaris matches one half of the employee contribution. The fund was first controlled by white collar workers but in a SINTRATUCAR membership meeting it was unanimously voted that the fund would better serve blue collar workers which are the lowest paid employees. In the last election for the management of the fund SINTRATUCAR won full control of the fund which will help them to provide better service to their members.