Construction and Mining Equipment and Agricultural Machinery meeting

IndustriALL‘s Meeting on Construction and Mining Equipment and Agricultural Machinery brought together in Geneva on 8-9 November 2012 about sixty delegates from 16 countries to discuss the challenges facing workers and the building of trade union networks in these two key sub-sectors of mechanical engineering.  

Presentations were made on the situation and the major trends in the various regions and the companies dominating the sub-sectors. Generally they revealed a mixed picture with uneven developments in terms of both production and employment, and growth prospects against the backdrop of shifting global dynamics.  In spite of signs of slowdown, in particular in construction equipment, China’s manufacturers are expected to gain ground over the coming years.  Brazil and India are also profiling themselves as important markets for the two sub-sectors.  

Delegates discussed the role of trade union networks as tools to build union power and solidarity.  Drawing upon the example of the Caterpillar network that has been operating since 2010 and other networks in the jurisdiction of IndustriALL, they examined opportunities for networking in other key companies of the sub-sectors.  As a result of these discussions it was decided to create a global union network at John Deere and Case New Holland, and to initiate the first steps towards starting a similar process at Komatsu.  In addition it was agreed to set up a steering group for construction and mining and agricultural machinery. 

Precarious employment was the subject of an intensive debate. Participants shared their experiences of dealing with temporary and agency work and union strategies to stem the tide of unstable employment. “Companies are resorting to precarious work although there is no need for it” said a delegate.  Reasserting their commitment to building international solidarity to ensure fair living standards for all and combating abusive employment practices, the participants unanimously adopted a statement in support of an intensification of the fight against precarious work. 

In spite of an adverse economic environment and growing attacks on workers’ rights, some unions have been successful in recruiting new members.  In Australia, for instance, progress has been made in construction and mining equipment and there is an important potential for union development in that sector.  

Rainer Wimmer, President of  Austrian affiliate PRO-GE and of IndustriALL’s Mechanical Engineering Sector welcomed the outcome of the meeting, stating: 

We send out a strong signal within IndustriALL and show that workers in this sector are active and committed members of the global union family. Many multinational companies, in their field of activity, have recourse to non-standard employment with a view to deliberately and systematically undermine trade union structures.  For this reason alone our main goal must be to curb precarious work. 

General Secretary Jyrki Raina added: 

IndustriALL Global Union will make mechanical engineering much more visible and active through networks in the subsectors of lifts/elevators  and construction equipment/agricultural machinery.  

The meeting benefitted from the support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.