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<img height="264" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/0703March8.jpg" width="200"/>
 1. Finland – Study on Working Conditions Reveals Gaps in Male and Female Employment 
2. ITUC: Message on 8th of March 
3. Japan – Number of Part-time Workers Declines 
4. Malta – Malta has one of the Lowest Gender Pay Gaps 
5. Mexico – New Law Passed on Violence against Women 
6. Nepal – GEFONT Organises Domestic Workers 
7. Spain – CCOO and UGT Issue Joint Statement on International Women’s Day 
8. Thailand – Thailand Women’s Forum Held 
9. Turkey – Petrol-Iş Sponsors Women Writers 
10. United Kingdom – Single Women Do less Housework 
11. United States – 3-Day ‘Sisters on the Frontline’ Seminar in NYC in late March 
12. Resources
<img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
1. Finland – Study on Working Conditions Reveals Gaps in Male and Female Employment 
A recent study on employment in Europe indicates the differences in employment between women and men. Sweden and Finland are the countries with the lowest gaps. In Finland, the low gap is due to the fact that the rate of female employment is very high and the rate of male employment is low. 
Working conditions in Europe have remained relatively stable over the past few years in spite of the increases in part-time and temporary work and the greater number of women working. 
 
The following figures indicate the levels of male and female employment in 31 countries in Europe and refer to 2004:
<img height="740" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/0703tabel5.jpg" width="379"/>
For more information, see: Fourth European Working Conditions Surveys 
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
2. ITUC: Message on 8th of March 
This year, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is launching a campaign on maternity protection for 8 March. The aim is to promote governments ratifying ILO Convention 183. The ITUC has resources and tools available for this purpose, including a new video on the informal economy. To find out more, see: <a href="http://www.ituc-csi.org/">www.ituc-csi.org</a>. 
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
3. Japan – Number of Part-time Workers Declines 
In the midst of an economic recovery in Japan, employers are hiring more full-time workers, after the number of part-timers reached a record high in 2005. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare presented figures to the government, which indicate that the level has reached a five-year low. 
Part-timers are defined as those who work less than 35 hours a week. They make up 22.5% of total employment, which is a 1.5% decline. Over 8.6 million women work part-time, as opposed to 3.4 million men. 
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
4. Malta – Malta has one of the Lowest Gender Pay Gaps
A new report from the European Commission details the gender-related differences in pay earned by women and men. These 2007 conclusions are very similar to those presented over the past few years. The biggest differences in pay, between 20 to 25%, are in Cyprus, Slovakia, Estonia, Germany, and the UK, while the lowest differences, under 5%, can be found in Malta and Portugal. 
 
Some countries have been forcing companies to provide detailed arguments for their pay discrepancies, and this pressure has contributed to some improvement. Public sector pay gaps are generally less striking than in the private sector, where the typical pay gap is 25%. 
 
The EU Commission argues for more and better childcare facilities to enable women to pursue careers, because women often have no choice but to work part-time in order to continue looking after their families. All over Europe, 32.9% of women work part-time as opposed to 7.7% of men. The highest number of part-timers is in the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, UK, and Germany. However, very few women work part-time in the new member states. 
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
5. Mexico – New Law Passed on Violence against Women
A new law was passed in February in Mexico to provide tools for fighting violence against women. The law ensures involvement by the police at all levels, the courts, media and schools. 
 
By law, the Ministry of the Interior can call an emergency due to an outbreak of gender violence to enable the response to be coordinated by the federal and local police and the courts. Measures to protect women must be taken, such as removing the aggressor from home. 
 
A national education campaign is now running, and a national data base is being created to document cases of violence against women. Studies are being done to diagnose the extent of the violence, and more women’s shelters are being promoted. 
 
The law orders gender training for police, prosecutors and other relevant officials. The government has been sponsoring ads on radio and television to warn perpetrators of violence that they will be punished. 
 
It is hoped that the law will improve the situation in a country where the murder rate of women due to violence is high. Seventy-five percent of these women are murdered by their husbands. Impunity has perpetuated these crimes, and means that the many murders in Ciudad Juarez, on the border with the US, have gone unpunished up to now. But now the law will hopefully provide some justice. 
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
6. Nepal – GEFONT Organises Domestic Workers 
GEFONT organised a meeting of domestic workers on 2 February which culminated in the formation of the Nepal Independent Domestic Workers’ Union with a 13-member coordinating committee. The union will be registered as a national federation. This year, a national convention will be held. More than 200 domestic workers from the Katmandu Valley participated in the event. 
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
7. Spain – CCOO and UGT Issue Joint Statement on International Women’s Day 
The 8 March Manifesto, issued by the two Spanish confederations, CCOO and UGT, passes in review the highs and lows of the past year. One of the highs was the new Spanish equal opportunities law, which provides for the negotiation of equality plans in companies with more than 250 employees, 13 days of paternity leave, and more flexible requirements for maternity pay and subsidies. 
 
Not all has been rosy, however, especially outside of Spain – where hundreds of women are murdered in Mexico and Guatemala, connivance by the police in rapes in Nigeria, and women stoned to death in Iran. CCOO and UGT have been involved in the fight to achieve the millennium development goals. 
 
Spanish women still lag behind other women in Europe. While the average rate of women’s employment in the rest of Europe is 57.4%, in Spain it is only 54.1%. Women’s rate of unemployment in countries outside of Spain is 9%, whereas in Spain it is 12.2%. However, agreements have been reached in the framework of social dialogue which will hopefully improve this situation. 
 
Collective bargaining has also contributed to positive developments, with 52% of collective agreements containing clauses on non-discrimination or gender equality. 
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
From our readers: 
Carol Fraser of the Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers (CEP) union of Canada sends greetings on International Women’s Day, as well as links to two sites in Canada to celebrate the day: <a href="http://www.cfc-swc.gc.ca/dates/iwd/index_e.html">www.cfc-swc.gc.ca/dates/iwd/index_e.html</a> where it is a question of taking real action against violence against women and <a href="http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/womensday/index.asp">www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/womensday/index.asp</a> which indicates activities that can be done in schools.
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
8. Thailand – Thailand Women’s Forum Held
The Thailand Women’s Forum was held in Bangkok on 3 and 4 March to celebrate Women’s Day. The forum was intended to provide space for exchange and sharing between women, men, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, people living with HIV and civil organisations who work for democracy, protest unfair trade, protect their communities and fight for women’s rights. 
 
Discussions focused on neo-liberalism and free trade agreements, health, gender roles, sexual relationships, oppression from customs and religion and building alternatives. The forum was organised by Thai Labour Campaign, among other sponsors. 
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
9. Turkey – Petrol-Iş Sponsors Women Writers 
In this month of March 2007, Petrol-Iş has launched a contest for women to write stories. All women home workers, factory workers, public workers, temporary workers, non-unionised, sub-contracted workers, women at home or outside the home are possible themes for the contest. 
 
The stories must not have been published before. Professional or non-professional writers are eligible to participate. Anyone can send in stories of between 3 and 10 pages, and the deadline is 25 March. A women’s jury will be judging the entries, and First, Second, and Third Place given. 
 
Petrol-Iş will publish all stories. The results will be declared on 2 May and prizes awarded at Petrol-Iş headquarters. 
Please see also ICEM’s InBrief of 26 February, or the ICEM Circular on the ICEM’s home page for information on the Petrol-Iş strike against Fresenius. A remarkable group of women are on strike at this medical facility in Turkey, and they deserve whatever support we can generate. 
 
All are invited to take action on 8 March through <a href="/" type="internal">www.icem.org</a>, where a model letter of support is available in different languages. 
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
10. United Kingdom – Single Women Do less Housework 
Single women do an average of ten hours of housework a week, while it increases to 15 hours when they live as a couple. Men, on the other hand, spend seven hours on housework when they are single, with it reduces to five when they live in a couple. 
 
The conclusion is that gender inequalities at home have a major influence on gender inequalities at work, and vice versa. 
 
What is needed is for women to gain equal employment opportunities and to start doing the same jobs as men and achieve pay parity. Nevertheless it will still take time for people to change cultures. 
 
The Print, Paper, Publishing and Media Section of ICEM affiliate Amicus has published a very interesting newsletter for Women’s International Day. This timely and informative <a href="http://www.amicustheunion.org/pdf/AmicusWomen_final_lowres2.pdf">newsletter</a> promises to assure all women in this sector that they will be made aware of opportunities within UK’s largest union to participate and be involved in the wider union and its democratic structures. 
 
The Equalities Department of Amicus also has an International Women’s Day page, which encourages trade unionists to send messages of support to women across the world through the union’s global trade union links. Throughout March, the Amicus page will be updated with information throughout the world. The page can be found at <a href="http://www.amicustheunion.org/Default.aspx?page=5797">http://www.amicustheunion.org/Default.aspx?page=5797</a>. 
 
In London on 8 March, a unique panel discussion and viewing of the short film “In the Name of Honor” by Reza Moradi, an Iranian free-speech advocate. The seminar, entitled “Women’s Rights, the Veil and Islamic and Religious Laws, is sponsored by the International Campaign in Defense of Women’s Rights in Iran, the UK and National Secular Society, and the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association. 
 
It will take place from 6 PM until 10 PM on 8 March, in Room 3D of the University of London Union, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY. (The nearest Underground stops are Russell Street or Goodge Street.) 
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
11. United States – 3-Day ‘Sisters on the Frontline’ Seminar in NYC in late March 
Cornell University’s Institute for Women and Work, the university’s Labor Program, the New York State AFL-CIO, and City University of New York’s (CUNY) Murphy Center for Labor, Community and Policy Studies will conduct a series of workshops on 30-31 March, and 1 April. 
 
Called “Sisters on the Frontline: Organising Women and Building Power,” the sponsors are billing it as the first women organisers’ conference in the US that will bring together women organisers, scholars, officials, and leaders of labour organisations. 
 
The conference’s aims are to generate ideas and methodology to overcome the challenges for women in labour unions and community-based organisations; and to identify the challenges to recruit and retain women in such organisations. One session in the three-day set of workshops and panel discussions is called “How to Rock the Boat without Getting Thrown Off.” 
 
The conference will take place at CUNY’s Murphy Center, 25 W. 43rd Street in Manhattan, and the conference’s programme and agenda is at 
<a href="http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/iww/events/sistersFrontline.html">http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/iww/events/ 
sistersFrontline.html</a>. 
 
Registration fee is US$50.00, and scholarships are available. Contact Francine Moccio of Cornell at fam5@cornell.edu for further information. 
 <img height="31" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/womenlogo.jpg" width="25"/>
12. Resources 
<a href="http://www.cimacnoticias.com/site">http://www.cimacnoticias.com/site</a> is a Mexican site with news from a gender perspective (in Spanish). 
 
<a href="http://www.unfpa.org/publications/detail.cfm?ID=322">http://www.unfpa.org/publications/detail.cfm?ID=322</a> 
includes a publication called Programming to Address Violence Against Women: Ten Case Studies.

ICEM WOMEN’S BULLETIN 20

<img height="40" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/InBrief 1.gif" width="100" alt=""/>
ICEM affiliate in North America, the United Steelworkers (USW), will host a two-day meeting next week for global union leaders of Goodyear rubber plants. The purpose of the meeting is to expand the steering committee of the Goodyear Network for more effective actions. 
 
This ICEM Network meeting will be held on 19-20 March, at the union hall of USW Local 2, Akron, state of Ohio. Akron is also the world headquarters for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. 
<img height="100" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/ICEMrubber.JPG" width="100" alt=""/>
The agenda will include a presentation on the structure of the ICEM Goodyear Global Union Network, and national reports on Goodyear’s record of labour relations from across the world. The meeting will take up improving communications across the network, and will develop a solidarity action plan for trade unions representing Goodyear workers. 
 
Besides union leaders from USW local branches at some 16 Goodyear plants, union leaders from Goodyear enterprises in Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Peru, Poland, Thailand, Turkey, South Africa, and the UK will attend the USW-sponsored Goodyear Global Union Network.

USW to Host Goodyear Global Union Network of Workers Next Week

<img height="48" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/InBrief 1.gif" width="120"/>
The Lafarge Group of France has become intransigent in a year-long dispute with subcontracting workers at a cement plant in South Korea. Despite ICEM and Building and Woodworkers’ International (BWI) insistence that the company drop legal appeals over freedom of association rights won for eight contract workers, Lafarge continues to spend money and resources on appealing an issue that involves trade union organisation.
<img height="92" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/SouthKorea.png" width="200"/>
In March 2006, managers at Lafarge’s Okgye, South Province, cement plant fired 13 workers, after 21 of 35 workers of Woojin Industry, a subcontractor of Lafarge, joined the Korean Chemical and Textile Workers Federation (KCTF). Lafarge also cancelled the contract of Woojin, and shifted the equipment and jobs to two other subcontractors, Sehwa Industry and Daewon Industry. 
 
In late September 2006, the Gangwon Regional Labour Relations Commission ruled that Lafarge is legally the employer for the dismissed contract workers, since they worked as agency workers for more than two years. The court ordered Lafarge to re-employ the workers, and pay them for the periods of dismissal. 
 
When Lafarge failed to adhere to the ruling, KCFT was forced to take the case to the National Labor Relations Commission. In November, the ICEM and BWI strongly urged senior managers of Lafarge – through the Global Framework Agreement the two labour federations have with the company – to step in to resolve the matter in good faith. A month later, in December 2006, the Gangwon Regional Commission issued unfair labour practice citations on Lafarge for failing to negotiate with KCFT over the matter.
<img height="119" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/ICEMcement2.jpg" width="120"/>
The dismissed workers have conducted sit-downs and picketing at the cement plant, as well as at Lafarge’s offices in Seoul and the home of new Lafarge Halla CEO Frederic de Rougemont. Throughout 2006, Lafarge in South Korea has dispatched mid-level managers to talk with KCFT, who have no authority to act. 
 
The case is now before the central labour commission, with Lafarge employing expensive and wasteful counsel to reverse the freedom of association rights inherent for all workers at the Okgye cement plant. 
 
The ICEM and BWI will continue to press this issue through all available avenues. Lafarge acquired Halla Cement of Korea in 1998.

Lafarge Resisting Unionisation of Contract Workers at Korean Cement Plant

<img height="40" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/InBrief%201.gif" width="100"/>
Over 200 trade union leaders and activists throughout Zimbabwe were arrested last week, on 12 and 13 September 2006. A large number of them were treated in an extremely violent way by the police forces while in detention. 
 
Victims include the three top leaders of the national centre Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU). ZCTU President Lovemore Matombo and Secretary General Wellington Chibebe were so brutally assaulted that they could not stand up afterwards. First Vice President Lucia Matibenga could no longer walk. She was, as were others, severely beaten on the soles of her feet. 
<img height="146" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/0609ZCTU3.jpg" width="125" alt=""/> 
 
ZCTU General Secretary Wellington Chibebe
After being ill-treated at the Matapi Police station in Mbare on 13 September, the three top leaders were refused immediate medical attention. They were released later on bail. Speaking from his hospital bed, Brother Chibebe told the press afterwards he had been unconscious for over half a day. Police from Matapi later simply denied that the arrested were assaulted. 
 
Reportedly, their physical shape was such that senior police authorities refused to take them in custody at Harare’s Central Police Station. Comrade Chibebe has a broken arm. Both he and Comrade Matombo suffered cranial/facial bruising and other head injuries. Many other arrested trade unionists equally suffered from the police violence, having their heads bashed against prison walls and being stamped and kicked in the head. 
<img height="111" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/Zimbabwe%20ZCTU.gif" width="107"/>
Police reports from last week suggest that the trade unionists could be charged under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA), a commonly used law to deter trade union activists in Zimbabwe. 
Ruling party Zanu PF militia had started the repression last week by intimidating and blocking union marchers in many cities, including in Harare. The ZCTU’s demonstration was against the country’s inflation rate of 1,000 %, in demand of higher incomes, lower taxes and better access to antiretroviral drugs needed to fight HIV/AIDS. 
 
Some 256 ZCTU activists were arrested in total, in at least 16 cities. ZCTU offices were blockaded and sealed by the army and police forces. Meanwhile, the union leaders vow to continue their protest.

Bloody Repression against Trade Union Leaders in Zimbabwe

<img height="40" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/InBrief 1.gif" width="100"/>
ICEM affiliate FNV Bondgenoten has called attention to the continued high incidence rate of safety negligence in the chemicals industry in The Netherlands. In an article published in the union’s magazine, “Kadermagazine,” Bondgenoten says the rate in the current annual report of the Labour Inspectorate is the same as it was in 2003. 
 
“Since 2003, the Inspectorate has found a high level on incidents after FNV Bondgenoten revealed as much in a thorough survey of shop stewards” inside the chemicals industry, stated the union’s Egbert Schellenberg. The report was submitted to Parliament. Schellenberg said that there already had been vast concern among union members in 2003. “Now, nothing has changed. When will something be done?” he asked. 
<img height="99" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/ICEMchemical3.jpg.JPG" width="100" alt=""/>
The survey by FNV Bondgenoten finds that an incident involving a dangerous substance occurs nearly once every day, on average. And a quarter of safety incidents involve casualties of one form or another. The union says that many occurrences happen during maintenance periods, with injuries due to inhaling fumes of dangerous substances or from burns. 
 
Schellenberg says that employers in the chemicals industry must shoulder the responsibility and respond in a manner that reduces injuries and illnesses. He also says that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment must also play a role in reducing the incidence rate in the chemicals industry. 
 
FNV Bondgenoten has scheduled a social dialogue session with the ministry on 21 September to discuss this serious concern.

Safety in Netherlands Chemicals Industry Not Improving, Bondgenoten Reveals

<img height="40" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/InBrief 1.gif" width="100" alt=""/>
Rubber workers in the US, members of ICEM affiliate United Steelworkers (USW), expressed their displeasure with Continental AG at a pair of rallies in recent weeks. Union members protested the manner in which the German tyre-maker closed a factory in Charlotte, state of North Carolina, last spring. 
 
One rally occurred on 4 September in Charlotte, and then another one when USW members converged on the International Tire Exhibition and Conference in Akron, state of Ohio, protesting Continental’s anti-worker practices. The company was an exhibitor at the trade fair. 
<img height="100" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/ICEMrubber.JPG" width="100" alt=""/>
Continental was cited by the US National Labor Relations Board with violations of the country’s labour law when it refused collective bargaining with the USW over a new contract for 800 workers in Charlotte. The USW had attempted to reach a new labour agreement and keep the Charlotte plant open by offering the company US$16 million in cost-savings. But the company refused to consider the proposal and used 1 May as the date to announce all tyre production would cease at the plant. 
 
In early August, the USW formally called on the US State Department to initiate an investigation over alleged breaches of work practices under guidelines of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). “The conduct of this German company and its apparent belief that it can violate US laws and (OECD) Guidelines with impunity is shocking,” wrote USW President Leo Gerard to the US OECD National Contact Point (NCP). “The full force of the US Government, including NCP intervention, should be brought to bear.”

US Steelworkers Protest Continental Tyre’s Labour Policies

<img height="40" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/InBrief 1.gif" width="100" alt=""/>
Facing tremendous pressure to refrain from taking action, the Korean Power Plant Industry Union (KPPIU), which represents around 3,000 members at five power plants that belong to the Korea Electric Power Corporation, or KEPCO, went on strike for 15 hours on 4 September 2006. 
 
The strike was a response to the unwillingness of KEPCO management to negotiate such issues as better working conditions, the rotation system, the expansion of the scope of trade union work and the reinstatement of fired colleagues. The trade union action followed a decision by the National Labour Relations Commission, a day earlier, to call for government arbitration over the labour dispute. 
<img height="100" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/ICEMelectricity3.JPG.JPG" width="100" alt=""/>
Both the company and the government took a very antagonistic stand towards the workers. Neither party was open to any negotiation whatsoever, administrative actions against strikers were announced, and the government warned against taking part in what it called an “illegal strike.” Reportedly, the government even had 3,500 emergency substitutes ready, just in case. 
 
Workers returned to work late Monday afternoon, as the government intervened to halt the strike, with union executives under threat of arrest. However, in the end, negotiations between labour representatives and the managements of the power plants resumed later the same day.

Short Strike by Korean Power Workers

<img height="40" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/InBrief 1.gif" width="100" alt=""/>
Representatives of the Union Nationale des Travailleurs du Congo (UNTC), one of the major national trade union federations in Congo, decided at their 5th Congress in July on a major change in Federation’s sectoral structures. 
 
One consequence of this decision, which brought down the number of industrial federations from 21 to 14, is the merger of ICEM affiliate FENAMICO (Fédération Nationale des Travailleurs des Mines du Congo) with its sister metal federation, to from the new Fédération Nationale des Travailleurs des Mines et de la Metallurgie (FNTMM). Crispin Ngeleka Mulumba was elected as its new General Secretary.

FENAMICO, Mining Affiliate in Congo, Merges with Metal Federation

<img height="40" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/InBrief 1.gif" width="100"/>
Today starts the ICEM World Conference for the Energy Industries in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The conference will run until Wednesday, 29 November. On that day, a second ICEM conference will start, the World Conference for the Chemical Industries.
Documents from the two ICEM World conferences
<a href="/?id=166" type="internal">Click here for the ICEM Energy Conference 
</a> 
<a href="/?id=165" type="internal">Click here for the ICEM Chemical Conference</a>
ICEM sectoral conferences are held once every four years, providing ICEM affiliates from the respective sectors the opportunity to discuss and exchange information on global, regional, and national developments and challenges in their sectors. 
 
The two conferences have their own specific agendas. Some issues, however, such as the increasing use of contract and agency labour and the HIV/AIDS pandemic, two global ICEM priorities, will be discussed at both conferences. Gender and health and safety issues will also be part of both agendas, as will be global framework agreements and global networks. 
<img height="100" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/ICEMelectricity.JPG" width="100"/>
The energy conference will be opened by Lars Myhre, Chair of the ICEM energy section, Errol K. Mcleod, General President of OWTU, Hon. Partrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Fred Higgs, ICEM General Secretary. 
 
Some of the main topics include: a general outlook for the global energy sector, climatic challenges, clean coal technologies, alternative sources, LNG, the challenge of renewable energies, the nuclear renaissance and the ICEM-ITF Global Oil and Gas alliance. 
 
One specific subject of the Energy Conference will be a presentation by the Communications, Energy, Paperworkers (CEP) Union of Canada on the booming oil extraction occurring in Alberta’s tar sands, with specific emphasis on the union’s agenda of assuring that refining occurs inside Canada. 
<img height="99" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/ICEMchemical3.jpg.JPG" width="100"/>
On 29 November, the Chemicals Conference, the second of its kind ever, will start. The first two days of the conference will be devoted to the chemicals sector. The last day, 1 December, will deal exclusively with issues involving the pharmaceutical sector. 
 
The chemical agenda includes, among many other things, company mergers and acquisitions, the increasing demands of China and the Middle East, REACH, the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). 
 
On Friday, 1 December, which is World HIV/AIDS Day, the conference will discuss the responsibility of the pharmaceutical industry in delivering HIV/AIDS-drugs to the least developed countries on a fair and equitable basis.

ICEM World Conferences on Energy and Chemicals Opens Today

<img height="40" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/InBrief 1.gif" width="100"/>
French multinational Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest companies in the building materials sector, has quickly taken advantage of the Howard government’s WorkChoices law in Australia to undermine enterprise bargaining in favour of individual labour agreements. 
 
The company has imposed the practice at two plant sites in the Sydney area, intending to break collective representation by ICEM affiliate National Union of Workers (NUW). 
 
As a result, Saint-Gobain Abrasives Pty. Ltd. staff at the Lidcombe and Wetherill Park worksites are currently on strike, seeking a new collective bargaining agreement. The strike started after it had become clear that Saint-Gobain, instead of starting negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement, was applying to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to terminate the existing one. 
<img height="50" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/AustraliaFLAG.gif" width="100"/>
As part of the same process, Saint-Gobain is attempting to have employees sign Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs). AWAs are individual contracts, whose key characteristics are that they prohibit the right of employees to bargain collectively and exercise other rights of union membership.
The use of AWAs, and the refusal to bargain collectively, is inconsistent with international law. This was recognised, in July 2005, by the Special Committee on the Application of Standards of the ILO, which found that Australia is not meeting its obligations to protect the rights of workers through the provision of AWAs. 
 
On top of all that, on 8 November, the Federal Court of Australia determined that Saint-Gobain unlawfully terminated the employment of two NUW delegates. The two employees, Jeff Gearin and Tony Seymour, who had been working at the site for 18 and 30 years, were dismissed, according to the company, for lack of skills. In court proceedings, it became apparent that the necessary training would have taken “two to three hours” and that one of the two had earlier asked for the training, a request that management had denied. 
<img height="225" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/0611StGobainAustralia.jpg" width="300" alt=""/>
NUW delegates Jeff Gearin and Tony Seymour
In a letter to the company, the NUW quotes the third principle - on freedom of association and collective bargaining - of the UN’s Global Compact, which the company joined in June 2003. 
 
The ICEM has been in direct contact with its French affiliates in the materials sector in an effort to press Paris-based senior management of Saint-Gobain to respect freedom of association at the Australian plant. The ICEM and French unions are also seeking an end to Australian management’s pressure on Lidcombe and Wetherill Park employees to accept individual contracts, and want management to begin earnest negotiations with the NUW toward a new collective agreement.

Saint-Gobain Initiates Regressive WorkChoices Law in Australia

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