Read this article in:
6 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 66/2000
Seventy-five trade union representatives from nine countries have agreed to establish a global network of Bridgestone unions for their "mutual defence and advancement."
The unions, representing Bridgestone/Firestone workers in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, Spain, France, and Australia, met in the US this week under the auspices of the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) and of the ICEM-affiliated United Steelworkers of America (USWA), which organises US tyre workers.
"We re-affirm the age-old labour movement adage that an injury to one of us is an injury to all of us and pledge our unions' full support to help other Bridgestone unions in need of our solidarity," the unions stated.
The union delegates also expressed their anger that Bridgestone management prohibited union delegates from South Africa and Thailand from attending the conference.
At the conclusion of the conference, the union delegates marched to a Firestone Service Centre in downtown St. Louis to demonstrate support for American workers employed in ten Bridgestone/Firestone locations across the United States. 8,000 US workers are currently negotiating for new contracts (collective agreements) with the company.
Chanting No Contracts; No Peace and carrying banners proclaiming Stop Stalling Contract Talks and Quit Breaking US Labour Laws, the delegates rallied to raise consumer awareness about working conditions at Bridgestone/Firestone. Similar events took place over the weekend at other Firestone Service Centres where the company operates manufacturing facilities.
The conference unanimously expressed its support and solidarity with the USWA and called on Bridgestone "to bargain in good faith, and expeditiously reach a reasonable and just contract" with the union at all locations. It also pledged that, should the company refuse to negotiate a fair and equitable agreement and respect the rights of its employees, that the unions representing Bridgestone workers throughout the world "will call on their members to engage in solidarity activities in support of the USWA members."
Featured speakers at the union conference were USWA President George Becker and ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs.
"Workers' rights can never be sacrificed for the sake of bloated corporate profiteering," said Becker. "Creating global networks and demonstrating world solidarity is the best way to combat the international race to the bottom on wages in this industry or any other."
"In this era of globalisation, there is an absolute need for unions to build alliances that cross all borders," declared Higgs. "In so doing, we unite as one in dealing with common employers and can insist on the implementation of the highest standards everywhere the company does business."
The unions, representing Bridgestone/Firestone workers in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, Spain, France, and Australia, met in the US this week under the auspices of the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) and of the ICEM-affiliated United Steelworkers of America (USWA), which organises US tyre workers.
"We re-affirm the age-old labour movement adage that an injury to one of us is an injury to all of us and pledge our unions' full support to help other Bridgestone unions in need of our solidarity," the unions stated.
The union delegates also expressed their anger that Bridgestone management prohibited union delegates from South Africa and Thailand from attending the conference.
At the conclusion of the conference, the union delegates marched to a Firestone Service Centre in downtown St. Louis to demonstrate support for American workers employed in ten Bridgestone/Firestone locations across the United States. 8,000 US workers are currently negotiating for new contracts (collective agreements) with the company.
Chanting No Contracts; No Peace and carrying banners proclaiming Stop Stalling Contract Talks and Quit Breaking US Labour Laws, the delegates rallied to raise consumer awareness about working conditions at Bridgestone/Firestone. Similar events took place over the weekend at other Firestone Service Centres where the company operates manufacturing facilities.
The conference unanimously expressed its support and solidarity with the USWA and called on Bridgestone "to bargain in good faith, and expeditiously reach a reasonable and just contract" with the union at all locations. It also pledged that, should the company refuse to negotiate a fair and equitable agreement and respect the rights of its employees, that the unions representing Bridgestone workers throughout the world "will call on their members to engage in solidarity activities in support of the USWA members."
Featured speakers at the union conference were USWA President George Becker and ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs.
"Workers' rights can never be sacrificed for the sake of bloated corporate profiteering," said Becker. "Creating global networks and demonstrating world solidarity is the best way to combat the international race to the bottom on wages in this industry or any other."
"In this era of globalisation, there is an absolute need for unions to build alliances that cross all borders," declared Higgs. "In so doing, we unite as one in dealing with common employers and can insist on the implementation of the highest standards everywhere the company does business."