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Turkish ICEM affiliate Cimse-Is (Cement, Ceramics, Pottery and Glass industry Workers' Union) announced this week its plan to start a series of strikes at 43 different cement plants throughout Turkey. 
The decision by the union’s Executive Board follows the failure of negotiations with the Turkish employers’ organisation, which had started on March 17. Both parties were unable to reach a consensus, despite various efforts by the union. Actions will start at 23 plants on May Day, with an additional 20 plants being struck as of May 8.

Strikes Announced at 43 Different Cement Plants in Turkey

Paperworkers at International Paper (IP) Co.’s Inverurie Mill in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, voted by a three-to-one margin to accept a new two-year accord. The vote is a union victory, preventing the US-based paper giant from imposing harsh and unnecessary contract measures. 
ICEM affiliate Amicus, which successfully negotiated the agreement, credited the solid resolve of workers at the printing and writing papers mill, as well as the ICEM’s IP Global Workers’ Network with the win. 
After a series of industrial actions, which included four 4-hour strikes from 23 March to 6 April, International Paper moved from a pay freeze to agreeing to 2% wage increases, both in 2006 and 2007. The company also backed away from a proposal, inserted late into the negotiations, to only grant the 2% pay hike after workers ratified the agreement, with the 2007 raise kicking in a year later. Amicus succeeded in getting the 2006 pay raise backdated to the standard 1 January, with another 2% awarded on 1 January 2007. 
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“Our membership did a magnificent job in standing up to one of the biggest pulp and paper groups in the world,” said Amicus Assistant General Secretary Tony Burke. “We had instant solidarity throughout the world, not only from unions at other International Paper mills, but from paperworkers’ unions everywhere.” Burke added that Inverurie Mill workers were “energised” by such support, and that the industrial actions carved “fierce resistance” among workers, with 40 more workers electing to join the union during the dispute. 
International Paper agreed to the non-concessionary terms on 11 April, two days before workers were set to escalate the dispute into an 8-hour strike. The vote was counted by Amicus in Aberdeenshire today. 
 
Throughout the month-long industrial dispute, Amicus was publicly calling for outside mediation to bring the two parties together but IP management refused, preferring a “negotiations-by-ultimatum” style. Managers finally gave up that approach in day-long talks on 11 April, with the UK’s Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) participating. 
 
“We appreciate the effort the ICEM put forward, as well as the efforts of all affiliated trade unions that showed such strong support,” said Burke. “The wage package, with it now backdated to January 1st, is a good result and it runs roughly in line with the current inflation rate in the UK.” 
 
Upon hearing the bargaining result, ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs congratulated Amicus and its membership at the Inverurie Mill. “The credit belongs with the workers and with their Union,” he said. “They stood strong and the ICEM is proud to have played a role in this successful outcome.” 
 
For more background information on this dispute: 
 
<a href="/?id=112&doc=1747&la=EN" type="internal">Eight-Hour Strike Next Week at International Paper’s Scottish Mill</a> (ICEM InBrief - 6 April 2006)

UK’s Amicus Union Triumphs in International Paper Settlement

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In Finland on 1 May, a new policy takes effect that will no longer restrict the free movement of labour from the new EU Member States. Over the past two years, since the addition of ten new countries into the EU, Finnish control mechanisms have been put in place through a subscriber liability law. The legislation now makes it harder to abuse foreign workers, and also puts meaningful stops to the grey economy. 
 
Companies are now obligated to investigate the handling of taxation, social security payments and work practices of their subcontractors. The Finnish government will also seek to tighten control over foreign agency labour through a new policy that requires foreign workers from EU states to register at an employment bureau within two weeks of arrival. Finnish trade unions have fully endorsed the policy changes. 
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In the United States on May Day, a day that bosses in the late 19th century stripped of significance so that American workers would not have the same Labour Day, immigrant workers will wage a general strike as well as a consumer strike. The strikes are further protests against restrictive measures against immigrants that have surfaced in the US Congress. 
The day will vividly illustrate not only the jobs that immigrants fill in America, but also the purchasing power they have in the marketplace. Leading up to the twin strikes, businesses and companies in several large US cities have fired thousands of migrant workers who participated in marches in March and April. 
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In Belgium on 1 May, trade unionist Paul Lootens and historians Marie-Louise De Roeck and Julie Urbain will unveil their new book, Tutti Cadaveri: The Trial of the Catastrophe at the Bois du Cazier in Marcinelle. The book depicts the aftermath of Belgium’s worst mining tragedy in history, a fire that raged inside a coal mine near the Wallonian town of Marcinelle, killing 262 miners. 
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The tragedy occurred on 8 August 1956 and the book marks the 50th anniversary of the devastating loss of so many lives. The book’s title, Tutti Cadaveri, comes from an Italian rescuer who, after surfacing from the mine, said, “All corpses.” 
The book is available from Aden Publishers for €22 and can be ordered from Aden by contacting editionsaden@skynet.be, or calling +32 2534 46 61. The ICEM will bring further attention to the 50th Anniversary events as the August date draws closer. 
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On Monday, 1 May, German IGBCE President Hubertus Schmoldt will deliver a major speech in Osnabrück on some fundamental issues affecting Germany and its trade unions, including joblessness, health reform and an energy policy. 
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The trade union leader will warn against the notion that the German economy can be strengthened by lowering wages, or through increasing the number of hours in the work week. IGBCE also calls for minimum standards, including wage levels, to be maintained for all sectors of the economy. 
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From Argentina on May Day comes a greeting from ICEM affiliate SUTNA. The union reminds us of the origins of International Workers’ Day—the fight for an eight-hour workday in the US city of Chicago, which produced a mass general strike that was met by brutal repression and then execution of those leading the strike by the state. “SUTNA salutes, on the occasion of this International Workers’ Day, all workers who continue the excellent work that was started by the martyrs of Chicago.” 
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The All Pakistan Trade Union Federation, which has organised huge May Day rallies for Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi/Islamabad and Quetta, sends this message: “The growing economic might of multinationals and transnational corporations, and the imposition of policies of globalisation, have led to an unprecedented large-scale offensive against the democratic and social achievements of working people, and against the trade union movement.” 
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And from Azerbaijan, Jahangir Aliyev, chairman of the Oil and Gas Industry Workers Trade Union (OGWU), expresses “health, happiness and great progress for the welfare of all labour people.”

May Day Actions, Greetings from Around the World

The 19 February gas explosion that killed 65 miners at Grupo Mexico’s Industria Mineral Mexicana subsidiary proves again the immediate necessity to improve safety and training in underground mining, particularly during times of high pricing and high demand for coal. 
 
Twenty-five of those killed at the Pasta de Conchos No. 8 mine near San Juande Sabinas, northern Coahuila State, were members of Section 13 of Mexico’s Miners & Metalworkers Union (SNTMMSRM), an affiliate of the International Metalworkers Federation (IMF). 

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Many others were short-term contract workers who were given no training, insufficient oxygen supply devices, and were sent deep into shafts within a day of being hired. Mexican government and company statements on safety precautions and equipment on this mine disaster contradict with what miners actually had available to them. 
 
The United Steelworkers of the US, which signed a strategic alliance with SNTMMSRM in April 2005, pledged financial and technical support to the union in the immediate aftermath of the blast. The IMF underscored the Mexican union’s charge that this was “industrial homicide” and must be investigated and denounced as such. 
“Grupo Mexico shareholders and directors and whoever is responsible for this crime, caused by greed, repression and insensitivity should be charged and punished accordingly,” said SNTMMSRM and the IMF.

Mexican Coal Mine Blast Termed ‘Industrial Homicide’

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The ICEM has responded to a call issued by Industrianställda I Nordic (Nordic IN), the new five-nation trade union federation of industries, to protest Estonia’s proposed changes to their labour code. The proposed Employees’ Representatives Act, which would weaken trade union protections, was the main focus in meetings today between Estonia’s trade unions and the Ministry of Social Affairs. 
 
The ICEM’s disapproval of the proposed changes, in a letter to Estonia Prime Minister Andrus Ansip is at <a href="/index.php?id=23&la=EN&doc=1702" type="internal">/index.php?id=23&la=EN&doc=1702</a>.

ICEM Responds to Estonia’s Proposed Labour Law Changes

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South African and North American members of the Sappi Workers’ Network attended the paper company’s AGM in Johannesburg on 6 March to protest lack of fruitful negotiations at mills in the US, and broken promises on education and over promotion opportunities in South Africa. 
Representatives of the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood & Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU) of South Africa and United Steel Workers (USW) of the US learned at the meeting that CEO Jonathan Leslie would resign, and the USW issued a statement the day following the meeting that it would welcome a change in course of industrial relations. 
 
“Sappi now has an opportunity to take a new direction if it chooses,” said USW Vice President Dick LaCosse, leader of the union’s Paper Division. “We would welcome a new approach to our talks with the company to better secure our jobs, our communities and our future."

South Africa, US Unions Attend Sappi’s Annual Meeting

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Canadian paperworkers and hundreds of supporters marched in Nova Scotia on 18 March, angry over an imposed lockout by Stora Enso. The march and rally drew about 2,500 in the town Port Hawkesbury. Some 600 members of ICEM affiliate Communications, Energy, Paperworkers (CEP) were locked-out on 26 January 2006 by the Swedish-Finnish paper company, now the world’s largest forest products concern. 
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The key issue separating CEP Local 972 and Stora Enso is one covering contracting-out policies. The company is intent on breaking from the pattern acceptance on contract labour provisions by other paper manufacturers in eastern Canada. Coming just seven months after a Finnish paper sector lockout led by Stora Enso, the lockout in Nova Scotia has caught the attention of scores of national trade unions. 
The company’s Works Council made a strong statement in support of the CEP branch union at its 8-9 March meetings, and an ICEM Circular produced an unprecedented stream of protests to Stora Enso CEO Jukka Härmälä in Finland. CEP Local 972 received earnest solidarity from scores of national trade unions, as well. 
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Finnish Paperiliitto President and ICEM Paper Sector Chairman Jouko Ahonen wrote, “Your struggle is our struggle, as last year our struggle was your struggle. We were not alone last summer and you are not—and will not be—alone in this dispute. You can be also sure that the brave struggle of your Local and its members enjoys sympathy and admiration of Finnish people.” 
 
The Works Council resolution states: “Stora Enso has refused to accept the Eastern Canada Pattern Settlement and wants to outsource jobs. These demands are completely different from local traditions and also different from collective agreements with other companies. Stora Enso must understand that this kind of activity does not lead to any kind of good result; on the contrary, it will cause immense suffering for everybody involved.” 
<img height="270" alt="" src="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/0603StoraEnsoCanada.jpg" width="360"/>
The 18 March event was led by CEP President Brian Payne and a number of local dignitaries attended, including provincial New Democratic Party leader Darrell Dexter attended. Local union members, however, were disappointed that Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald, who is from a nearby town heavily populated by paperworkers, failed to attend.

Locked-Out Canadian Paperworkers Hold Rally

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China’s latest coal mine fatalities occurred Saturday, 18 March, when 28 miners were trapped by flooding in Shanxi province. The incident happened at the Fanjiashan mine, owned by the Zhaoxian township in Luliang city. 
 
Prior to this, 12 major accidents claimed the lives of over 100 miners over a two week span dating back to 5 March. And separate to this, near Baishan, Jilin province, seven accidents over a two-week period in March occurred at local mines, killing a total of 10 workers. 
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On 13 March, a gas blast at the Rongsheng mine in Erdos city, Inner Mongolia, killed 22. Also on that day, nine were found dead after an explosion at the Qitaihe Taihe mine in Heilongjiang province. The cause of this latter blast was cited as illegal smoking inside the mine. On 23 February, a coal dust explosion killed 18 in Shandong province at a mine owned by the Zaozhuang Mining Group. The cause here was listed as failure to dampen an underground coal seam prior to drilling. 
 
In Hunan province, which already reports 79 mining deaths this year—29 more than last year—33 miners perished at three of the major accidents since 5 March. Provincial officials this month moved to close 400 unsafe mines in Hunan province. 
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Other actions are occurring at the national level to curb mining deaths. The government has recently blocked some US$70 million worth of coal mine investments on behalf of government officials. A government probe found that 4,578 officials in China have investments in the country’s coal mines. Chinese workplace safety officials admit an estimated 60% of Chinese mines ordered to close in 2005 still continue to operate. The State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) reported at the National People’s Congress last week that their mandate is to reduce coal mine deaths by 3.5% this year. 
 
In 2005, China had an official death rate of 5,986, with unofficial estimates ranging up to four times higher. If March 2006 is any indication, Chinese coal mines will need to make fast improvements in safety in order to reach this goal.

March a Deadly Month So Far for Chinese Mine Workers

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Glaverbel glass workers in Belgium waged a strike last week over the company’s indiscriminate restructuring plans. Workers in the mirror and double-glass department, an area targeted for 42 job cuts, initiated the strike on 16 March at the Zeebrugge flat glass plant and a day later, all 300 workers walked out, shutting the plant. 
Led by Belgian trade union ABVV-FGTB, industrial action happened, in part, because of the manner in which sackings were carried out by Glaverbel, a subsidiary of Japanese Asahi Glass. An ABVV-FGTB representative said managers were targeting some workers who have workplace injuries or other medical problems for some of the 42 job cuts. 
 
The union has been concerned that the restructuring has taken too many jobs from the Seapane SV plant, and Glaverbel eventually will have to resort to contract labour to fill production needs. Management and the workers, represented by ABVV-FGTB, met today in attempts to resolve differences.

Strike by Glaverbel Glass Workers in Belgium

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Workers represented by ICEM Jordanian affiliate, General Trade Union of Petrol and Chemical Workers’ Union, began a legal strike at the state-owned Jordan Petroleum Refinery Co. on 8 March. Some 3,500 workers struck in order to get the company to implement a signed agreement that was agreed to by workers and management. 
 
The agreement calls for wage increases, housing loans and post-retirement health insurance, but the government has failed to put those and other work terms into effect. The union had put forward the demands in 2003 and they were subsequently agreed upon. The strike is at Jordan’s only oil refinery, the 100,000 barrel-per-day Zarqa refinery. Jordan must import all crude oil supplies, and production at the refinery is crucial for domestic purposes.

Jordanian Oil Workers Strike

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