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Rio Tinto, the world's biggest mining corporation, will face protests from a broad alliance of international campaigning organisations inside and outside its Annual General Meeting at London's Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre tomorrow 12 May. 
Prominent among the protesters is the Australian miners' union CFMEU and its supporters from the UK and other countries. The unions are targeting Rio Tinto's continued refusal to recognise basic trade union rights in its Australian operations. 
 
Leading the Australian contingent is CFMEU National Secretary John Maitland. He is also Vice-President of the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), to which the CFMEU is affiliated at the global level. Maitland commented: 
 
&quot;Rio Tinto continues to use labour laws in Australia which in March of 1998 were found by a committee of experts of the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO) to violate international standards on collective bargaining rights and freedom of association. Rio Tinto is directly implicated in this because they helped the Australian government to draft this legislation. Since the ILO ruling, Rio Tinto has neither apologised nor sought to reverse its input into the Australian government's breach of international law. 
 
&quot;Rather, the company is actively seeking to deunionise its Australian operations by replacing unionised workers with non-union labour and by forcing workers onto individual employment contracts instead of trade union collective agreements.&quot; 
 
ICEM British Vice-President Fred Higgs announced today that the ICEM had discussed the Australian situation with Rio Tinto CEO Leon Davis at a recent meeting. &quot;We offered the services of the ICEM to find a resolution to the issues in Australia,&quot; Higgs said. &quot;We are extremely disappointed that Rio Tinto has not so far taken up this offer, and we will continue to campaign on behalf of our Australian affiliate.&quot; 
<ul>
 <li>A Stakeholders' Report on Rio Tinto will be distributed to shareholders and others at the AGM tomorrow. Published by the ICEM in cooperation with a wide range of organisations campaigning on rights and environmental issues, the report severely criticises Rio Tinto's performance in many parts of the world. It also raises questions about the company's non-standard reporting of profits and the sustainability of its current dividend pay-outs. </li>
 <li>A motion was tabled in Britain's House of Commons today criticising Rio Tinto's human rights performance and calling on the British government to press the company to comply with international standards. Rio Tinto is headquartered in London. The Commons motion was brought in by Labour Member of Parliament Michael Clapham and others. </li>
 <li>This week, US unions in Rio Tinto operations agreed to step up their participation in the worldwide campaign. 
 </li>
</ul>

Rio Tinto AGM Faces Protests Over Rights Abuses

South Korea faces a nationwide power strike from 24 November over plans to privatise the electricity sector. 
 
Notice of industrial action has already been served by the Korea National Electricity Workers' Union (KNEWU), which will ballot members tomorrow. The union says it will launch the action if the Korean parliament presses ahead with legislation to split up and privatise the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). 
 
The parliament's Standing Committee on Industry and Energy is due to consider the draft law by 23 November. The KNEWU has publicly opposed the plans from the outset. A recent opinion poll showed 90.8 percent of KEPCO employees ready to take part in protests, and the scheme has also run into growing opposition from the public at large. In fact, the restructuring is already behind schedule because parliament pulled back from adopting the legislation last year. 
 
KEPCO is one of South Korea's biggest public enterprises. By law, the government currently holds 52.6 percent of its equity. The corporation accounts for about 94.2 percent of the country's power generation, and has 44 GWh of installed capacity. It transmits, distributes and sells all of South Korea's electricity. In June this year, it employed 34,146 people. 
 
The government has tabled a four-phase privatisation plan, starting with a split-up of KEPCO's generation side from this year onward and full privatisation of generation by 2002. Full competition would be introduced into the wholesale electricity market in the period 2003-2008, and the retail side of the business would be sold off. Competitive retailing of electricity would be brought in from 2009 onwards. 
 
KEPCO's thermal and hydro generation units are already being hived off into five separate subsidiaries, as a prelude to privatisation. Its nuclear capacity will be kept as a wholly-owned KEPCO subsidiary for the foreseeable future. As in power sell-offs elsewhere, there may be few or no takers for the nuclear stations. 
 
One issue is the debts run up by KEPCO, but the union points out that these are the result of the government's own policy of providing cheap electricity to industry and to low-income households. KEPCO has a public service ethic which includes support for rural communities, small and medium-scale enterprises and the domestic coal industry. 
 
The union's fight against privatisation is &quot;not just a matter of job security,&quot; said KNEWU representative Kim Chae-Ro. &quot;Resolving KEPCO's debts through asset sales will destroy the company. The changes will lead to an industry where suppliers wield the sword.&quot; 
 
Globally, the KNEWU is affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), which has declared full support for the Korean union's action. 
 
&quot;Your powerful campaign has so far prevented the sell-off of your national utility,&quot; ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs emphasised in a message to KNEWU President Oh Kyung-Ho today. &quot;In Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa, we are helping our unions to fight against destructive privatisation which has led to huge job losses, higher prices and declining health and safety conditions everywhere it has been carried out. In countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Hungary, Uruguay, Paraguay and Thailand, unions have campaigned successfully in favour of alternative models which safeguard the interests of workers, their families and the citizens. The ICEM strongly believes that energy is a social product. It should be produced and distributed for the good of all citizens, not just for the benefit of the few.&quot; 
 
At special ceremonies across South Korea today, KNEWU officers had their hair trimmed down to a monkish minimum. It was a token of their readiness - and a cutting comment on a sell-off that could leave Korea shorn.

Korean Power Strike Over Privatisation

How can workers face up to the might of the global corporations? 
	 
	By organising globally.

	That is why more than 20 million workers worldwide are already members of the ICEM, the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers&#039; Unions. 
	 
	The ICEM is a rapidly growing industry-based world labour federation dedicated to practical solidarity. It unites trade unions in its sectors on all continents. Its aim is to become a truly global trade union.

	<img alt="" height="43" src="" width="50" />

	Its main focuses are:
<ul>
	<li>
		<div align="justify">
			negotiating and monitoring global agreements with multinational companies - mainly on workers&#039; rights, equality at work and the highest standards of health, safety and environmental protection worldwide</div>
	</li>
	<li>
		<div align="justify">
			networking trade union reps within global corporations</div>
	</li>
	<li>
		<div align="justify">
			coordinating solidarity and support for member unions during disputes</div>
	</li>
	<li>
		<div align="justify">
			union-building in countries where unions are weak or non-existent</div>
	</li>
	<li>
		<div align="justify">
			providing information and expertise on topics ranging from collective bargaining to health and safety standards</div>
	</li>
	<li>
		<div align="justify">
			representing workers&#039; interests within the UN, its agencies and other intergovernmental bodies</div>
	</li>
	<li>
		<div align="justify">
			skills training and development work with trade union officers and rank-and-file union members.</div>
	</li>
</ul>

	 
	The ICEM organises in a wide range of industries: 
	 
	Energy 
	Exploration, production, generation, refining and distribution of all types of primary and secondary energy. 
	 
	Mining and Quarrying 
	Exploration, extraction and processing of hard coal and lignite, metallic and non-metallic minerals, clays, sands, gravels and gems. 
	 
	Chemicals and Bioscience 
	Research, production and refining of chemical elements, compounds and products, pharmaceuticals, chemo-technical products, petrochemical products, agrochemicals, plastics, plastic products and composites and artificial fibres. Research and manufacture of products and materials resulting from biotechnical methods or genetic engineering techniques. 
	 
	Pulp and Paper 
	Research, production and conversion of pulp, paper, board, kraft, paper packaging and other paper and board products. 
	 
	Rubber 
	Research and production of synthetic rubber and composites and fabrication of both natural and synthetic rubber products. 
	 
	Diamonds, Gems, Ornaments and Jewellery Production 
	Diamond and gem sorting, cutting and polishing; pearl farming and setting; ornament and jewellery manufacture. 
	 
	Glass, Ceramics, Cement and Associated Industries 
	Research, production and fabrication of flat glass, container glass, glass fibres, household glass, technical glass and all other glass products; all types of pottery, clay and ceramic materials, composites and products; cement, non-metallic minerals, composites and products. 
	 
	Environmental Services 
	Waste disposal and recovery, pollution control, recycling, cleaning and maintenance, laundry, dry cleaning and hygiene services, porterage and security and associated activities. 
	 
	Service and Miscellaneous Industries 
	Service and miscellaneous industries not falling within the scope of other International Trade Secretariats. 
	 
	 
	The ICEM membership includes all employee categories within its sectors.

	By March 2012, the ICEM represented 355 industrial trade unions in 115 countries. Enquiries are welcomed from other unions in ICEM sectors worldwide. 
	 
	The ICEM unites workers irrespective of race, nationality, gender or creed. It supports sustainable industrial development. The ICEM campaigns for the highest levels of health and safety at the workplace, and for environmentally responsible industrial products and processes. The ICEM is also committed to the global application of the best possible standards and practices - especially within multinational corporations.

	&nbsp;

	 
	Principal officers of the ICEM

	&nbsp;

	 
	<img alt="" height="198" src="" width="160" /> 
	 
	President 
	Senzeni Zokwana 

	&nbsp;

	<img alt="" height="169" src="" width="160" /> 
	 
	General Secretary 
	Manfred Warda

	 
	The ICEM promotes modern techniques of information exchange between affiliated trade unions, including computer networking. In particular, it is expanding trade union contacts and cooperation within the worldwide operations of the major multinational companies in its industries. 
	 
	As a clearing house for trade union expertise, the ICEM draws on a pool of specialists from its affiliated trade unions around the world. Its own staff provide rapid responses to unions&#039; specific questions on, for example, collective bargaining trends, company structures or the health hazards of a new industrial chemical. 
	 
	The ICEM believes that its policies must be locally &quot;owned&quot; by its rank-and-file membership - not handed down from above. These policies must be relevant to the day-to-day needs of its affiliated trade unions. The ICEM&#039;s union-building programmes carefully avoid the creation of client organisations. Its assistance to newly emerging industrial trade unions is on the basis of help for self-help. 
	 
	While maintaining its global unity, the ICEM has devolved some of its decisions and action to the world&#039;s different regions. 
	 
	Special provisions ensure that women workers throughout the world are properly represented within the ICEM, which runs programmes to meet their particular concerns. 
	 
	The ICEM issues a range of general and specialised publications, both in print and via the Internet. It also voices workers&#039; concerns within the world media. And its website at www.icem.org is first with the unions&#039; news and views. 
	 
	The ICEM often makes representations on workers&#039; behalf to national authorities and international bodies. These include the relevant specialised UN agencies, such as the International Labour Organisation and the World Health Organisation. 
	 
	The ICEM maintains close contact with the trade union movement&#039;s other sector-by-sector Global Union Federations (GUFs), with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), with regional trade union bodies of all continents and with other organisations campaigning on issues that directly affect its members (for example, the environment and human rights). 
	 
	The world&#039;s major employers are now organised globally. Trade unions cannot lag behind. The ICEM believes that industrial trade unionism worldwide must concentrate on its main tasks - improving workers&#039; pay and conditions and recruiting new members.

The ICEM - who we are, what we do

Global Solidarity 
A newsletter for unionised Goodyear workers world-wide
 
Global Network Links Workers across Borders 
 
When more than 100 labor leaders and trade union representatives from 16 countries gathered in Cleveland, Ohio in March 1999, they decided to form a global network for Goodyear workers around the world. The goal was to open lines of communication worldwide and to share information of mutual interest. 
 
Publishing Global Solidarity is one facet in the creation of a network that builds international worker solidarity within a multinational corporation. With the continuing consolidation of the world tire industry, workers need a united global front to address common problems. 
 
The Cleveland conference and the establishment of a global network was a direct result of an agenda established during an ICEM rubber industry conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in June 1998. 
 
The delegates at the Cleveland conference elected a network steering committee comprised of Richard Davis (United Steelworkers of America), chairman; Yoshihiko Sawada (Gomo Rengo, Japan); Bill Holmes (Manufacturing Science &amp; Finance, U.K.); Carlos Antonio da Silva (Frente Unica de Borracha, Brazil); Thabang Nchele (National Union of Metalworkers, South Africa); and Peter Schmitt, (ICEM). 
 
The Steering Committee met in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 25, 2000 to set the network&rsquo;s direction. Among other things, the network held an initial meeting with senior Goodyear executives and proposed that a joint agreement on health and safety be negotiated. 
 
 
U.S. Steelworkers Win Contract Improvements 
 
On November 15, 2000, the Goodyear/Kelly Springfield/Dunlop Policy Committee of the United Steelworkers of America announced member ratification of changes to the Master Contract. The contract improvements are consistent with the industry pattern agreement established in the 2000 Bridgestone negotiations. 
 
Union workers at Goodyear and subsidiary plants in the U.S. will receive wage, cost-of-living and pension increases as well as language improvements in several areas, including preferential hiring and outside contracting. The agreement covers 12,000 employees at nine Goodyear locations, 5,700 workers at three Kelly plants and 2,600 workers at two Dunlop facilities. 
 
Negotiations between Goodyear and the Steelworkers began in March. Re-opener discussions were suspended March 10, about a month after the Steelworkers chose Bridgestone as its target company for pattern bargaining. When negotiations between Bridgestone/Firestone and the union concluded successfully in September, talks between the Steelworkers and Goodyear resumed. 
 
 
Asia/Pacific Unions Hold Regional Conference 
 
The ICEM hosted the Asia/Pacific Goodyear Network Workshop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 25-26, 2000. The workshop resulted from actions taken at the ICEM World Rubber Conference of June 1998 and the ICEM-USWA Goodyear World Conference of March 1999, which directed Goodyear steering committees in all regions to conduct sessions. 
 
Yoshihiko Sawada, president of the Japanese Rubber Workers Union Confederation (Gomu Rengo, Japan) chaired the workshop that included 18 participants from five countries. Participants also came from SP KEP Goodyear Union, Indonesia; National Union of Workers, Australia; National Union of Employees in Companies Manufacturing Rubber Products, Malaysia; Centre of Indian Trade Unions; as well as ICEM-JAF and the ICEM. 
 
In addition to developing ways to network and communicate better, work groups discussed issues such as industrial health and safety, occupational diseases, and training and education programs. 
 
 
Goodyear Pushes to Bust Union in Colombia 
 
Despite extensive efforts over the past months to work with the company to reduce production costs at the Santiago de Cali plant, Goodyear management in Colombia is engaged in a blatant effort to undermine its collective bargaining relationship with the tire workers union SINTRAINCAPLA. 
 
The company unilaterally violated the union contract by hiring temporary workers in the production and maintenance departments. The collective bargaining agreement explicitly prohibits the use of temporary or contract workers unless the company and union agree. 
 
Workers at the plant have already accepted a number of concessions pursuant to collective bargaining negotiations with management aimed at saving jobs and keeping the plant open. 
 
 
Canadian Workers Reject Company Proposal 
 
Members of a Salaberry-De-Valleyfield, Quebec union, already on strike for six months, rejected a five-year contract proposal from Goodyear on November 15. Wage and job security issues were the reasons that members of Steelworker Local 919 overwhelmingly rejected the offer. The 76-member local, mainly office and technical workers at Goodyear&rsquo;s Valleyfield passenger radial facility, have been on strike since April 27, 2000. 
 
Local members have been working without a contract since July 1996. The union and the company have fought within Quebec&rsquo;s labor department over alleged exclusion of certain jobs from unionization. Initially the local was prevented by provincial law from striking, but regained that right earlier this year. 
 
The exclusion of jobs from bargaining units has continued to be an issue during the negotiations. Management&rsquo;s desire to turn union into non-union work, continued layoffs of Local 919 members, and increased use of subcontracting has reduced union employment by about 40% over the past decade. The Communications, Energy &amp; Paperwork Union represent production and maintenance workers at the plant. 
 
 
Indonesian Union Makes Proposal to Company 
 
In November, the SP.KEP Goodyear Indonesia (Chemical, Energy and Mine Workers Union at Goodyear Indonesia) 
 
initiated negotiations with PT. Goodyear Indonesia Tbk. The union is looking to improve wages, working condition and safety for its members. 
 
 
Goodyear Reneges on UK Union Agreement 
 
The company has mounted a major attack on two ICEM-affiliated unions in the United Kingdom. The Transport and General Workers Union and the MSF are battling to protect its members&rsquo; terms and conditions of employment as well as their ability to effectively represent membership. 
 
Goodyear has already announced layoffs (redundancies) of 540 workers at its Wolverhampton facility. More troubling is the way the company is handling the matter. In addition to the redundancy notice, the company has delivered 90 days notice that it is unilaterally canceling the long established employment security and severance payment agreement. 
 
ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs and Goodyear Network chairman Dick Davis have urged the company to honor its commitments. 
 
The agreement, first signed in 1985, was revised and renegotiated as recently as October 1999. In September 2000, a Goodyear senior vice president promised the workers at Wolverhampton that the company would honor all existing agreements, including the Security of Employment Agreement. 
 
 
Operating Engineers Ratify Contract 
 
Striking workers at Goodyear&rsquo;s chemical plant in Houston, Texas overwhelmingly ratified a new contract in mid-December. The new agreement provides pension improvements and a first-year lump sum wage increase. 
 
Union solidarity was key in fighting Goodyear&rsquo;s demand for concessions on seniority rights, contracting out, health benefit cuts and wage reductions. Members of Local 347 of the International Union of Operating Engineers walked out on October 10 after rejecting the company&rsquo;s proposed new agreement. 
 
International unions representing Goodyear workers in France, Germany, Guatemala, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Australia and the U.S. registered protests with the company and lent support to Local 347. 
 
In early November, the workers rejected by a 2-to-1 margin another company offer that called for contracting out 139 jobs or across-the-board pay cuts. Wages would have automatically been cut by 33%, health care cost would have increased and a number of jobs would have been phased out over a two-year period. 
 
The settlement covers 350 workers at a plant that manufactures emulsion styrene butadiene rubber, a material used in tire production. 
 
 
Anti-Union Tactics in Guatemala 
 
The ICEM reported last year that Goodyear has targeted workers in Guatemala with anti-union practices. Forty-eight production employees, members of STGINSA, at the Guatemala City plant were fired without just cause and two executive committee members of the union were suspended. 
 
The union said the action breaches the collective bargaining agreement, the labor laws of the country and the international labor conventions ratified by the government of Guatemala. Ron Hoover, USWA Goodyear Coordinator in the U.S. urged the company to &ldquo;take the necessary steps to restore the proper integrity to the collective bargaining process (in Guatemala) and protect the company&rsquo;s &ldquo;Good Name.&rdquo; 
 
 
European Unions Stand Up for Goodyear Workers 
 
The IGBCE of Germany and the FCE-CFDT of France have recently written support letters on behalf of Goodyear workers in Wolverhampton, UK, Houston, U.S. and Colombia, South America. The letters were written to Goodyear Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Samir Gibara. 
 
Both letters proclaimed support for the Houston workers&rsquo; fight for a new contract and condemned Goodyear&rsquo;s management for undermining negotiations in Colombia, as well as terminating a job security agreement in the U.K. 
 
IGBCE president Hubertus Schmoldt also cited serious problems with Goodyear at its Philippsburg, Germany factory. Schmoldt criticized the company for trying to wreck the collective agreement and for not reinvesting in the facility. 
 
Both unions appealed to the company to take a civilized approach of discussing and negotiating changes with both the workers and their unions. 
 
 
ICEM &amp; FUTINAL Host International Conference 
 
Leaders of 25 unions from Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru Chile and Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and the United States, gathered in Praia Grande, Brazil in November 2000 to participate in a conference hosted by the ICEM and the Latin American United Tire and Rubber Industry Workers Front (FUTINAL). 
 
The tire and rubber worker trade unionists examined trends in the world industry as well as national, regional and global concerns. Measures were adopted that will improve the exchange of information between workers of different global tire companies that operate in the region. 
Several motions were passed that extended solidarity to Goodyear workers in the region. Members Guatemalan Goodyear union STGINSA received a pledge of support from the conference in their battle against the company&rsquo;s anti-union practices. 
 
A resolution condemning Goodyear&rsquo;s union busting attempts in Colombia was passed, as was a motion directed to the Colombian government that denounced death threats by right wing groups to labor leaders. 
 
A motion to offer international solidarity to the Titan Tire workers in Uruguay, members of FUNSA, also passed. This action denounced the recent agreement between Titan and Goodyear that reduces tire production in Uruguay and promotes the imports of Goodyear products. 
In an act designed to strengthen the links between workers across borders, it was decided that an international delegation of rubber workers would visit in early 2001 all the countries of the Americas affiliated with FUTINAL. Next year&rsquo;s conference will be held in Argentina. 
 
 
Goodyear-Pacific Dunlop Announces Restructuring 
 
South Pacific Tyres Ltd. is cutting production at one site and laying off workers at another in Australia. The joint venture of Goodyear and Pacific Dunlop looks to reduce costs and reverse company losses within six months. 
 
Heavy truck production will be halted at the Somerton plant and passenger and light tire production will be reorganized. The company also plans to lay off 500 workers at its Melbourne plant and reduce the product line at that facility. 
 
The National Union of Workers represents workers at these plants. 
 
 
Aircraft Tire Production Resumes in Brazil 
 
After a seven-year hiatus, Goodyear has resumed production of aircraft tires at its Sao Paulo, Brazil facility to meet increased demand. The company manufactured aviation tires at the plant from 1943 until 1992, when it suspended production. 
 
About 30 percent of the tire output will be for the Brazilian market while the rest will be exported to North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and other Latin American countries. 
 
Brazilian airplane manufacturer Embraer-Empresa Brasiliera de Aeronautica, the world&rsquo;s fourth largest producer of airliners and a Goodyear customer since 1969, is building a new domestic plant that the company will supply. 
 
 
Global Goodyear 
 
Goodyear is the world&rsquo;s largest tire company. In addition, it manufactures and markets worldwide several lines of belts, hoses and other rubber products for the transportation industry, as well as various industrial and consumer products. 
 
Goodyear operates 92 plants in 27 countries around the world. Thirty-two plants are located in the US, eight in Canada, 20 in Europe, two in Africa, 13 in Latin America and 17 in Asia. With the addition of its Dunlop tire joint ventures, Goodyear employs more than 100,000. 
 
Last year, Goodyear posted net sales of $12.9 billion and net income was $241.1 million. For the nine months ending September 2000, net sales increased 12%. 
 
Goodyear is the No. 1 tire maker in North America and South America and the largest in Europe. Chairman and CEO, Samir Gibara, earned $1.6 million USD in salary last year and exercised options worth another $216,000 USD during that time. 
 
 
Send Your News! 
 
Global Solidarity is published by the United Steelworkers of America, Five Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA. 15222, USA. 
 
If you have news and information for the next issue of Solidarity News, please send it to Don Faulkner by: 
 
Fax + 1 412 562 2520 or 
 
E-mail mailto:dfaulkner@uswa.org

Goodyear network Global Bulletin - English version

A grim New Year faces the Ukraine's unpaid miners and their families. 
 
40,000 miners have now launched an indefinite strike at the call of the Miners'Indepedent Trade Union of Ukraine (MITU). 
 
They have two demands: 
<ul>
 <li>
 <div>Payment of the wages owed to them. Wages and other social payments are now 11 months in arrears. The miners are owed more than 800 million US dollars. 
 </div>
 </li>
 <li>
 <div>Provision in the 1999 budget for state subsidies to the coal mines. </div>
 </li>
</ul>
Miners who see their families going hungry are now turning to acts of despair. 
 
This Monday, a MITU miner picketing the Lugansk state administration tried to burn himself to death. Alexandre Mikhalevich is in critical condition after suffering 45 percent burns to his body and lungs. 
 
Three other miners say they will resort to self-immolation unless the wage backlog is paid. 
 
At the global level, MITU is affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). 
 
&quot;The desperate act of Alexandre Mikhalevich reminds us immensely and painfully of the limits of what humans can endure,&quot; writes ICEM General Secretary Vic Thorpe in a solidarity message to MITU Chairman Mikhail Volynets. &quot;The sheer enormity of the wages and social payments due to workers cannot distract us from the thought that behind these figures are tens of thousands of men, women and children suffering in their limbs and souls. We realise that entire communities must feel that they have been brutally robbed of their past and of their future.&quot; 
 
But, Thorpe warns, &quot;our compassion cannot distract us from the firm belief that the response of organised workers lies in struggle - not self-annihilation. Yes, there are moments when we are overwhelmed by the complexity and magnitude of the problems in front of us, but the bitter experience of the ICEM's members is that there are no alternatives than to continue to fight for justice, dignity and solutions.&quot;

Grim New Year For Ukrainian Miners

GLOBAL AGREEMENT 
 
between
ANGLOGOLD LTD. (AngloGold) 
 
and 
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF CHEMICAL, ENERGY, MINE AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNIONS (the ICEM) 
 
on 
 
THE PROMOTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GOOD HUMAN AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IN ANGLOGOLD OPERATIONS WORLDWIDE 
 
1 PREAMBLE 
 
1.1 AngloGold is a South African based gold mining company with business operations in several countries around the world. The ICEM represents trade unions that organise workers in the mining industry worldwide. 
 
1.2 AngloGold and the ICEM record their mutual interest in the development and sustainability of the gold mining industry worldwide, and in good human resources and industrial relations practice. 
 
1.3 AngloGold and the ICEM agree to give practical effect to their common interest, and accordingly enter into this agreement to: 
 
&middot; create an effective channel for an ongoing dialogue between them to protect and advance their mutual interests; 
 
&middot; affirm the principles and values of internationally accepted labour relations and human resource practice;and 
 
&middot; establish a procedure for the resolution of disagreements that may arise from time to time. 
 
1.4 In pursuance of this objective and of advancing the interests of all stakeholders in the gold mining industry the parties seek to promote an industry that is safe, humane and productive. 
 
 
2 APPLICATION 
This agreement is intended to apply to operations, wherever situated, over which AngloGold has direct managerial control.The parties agree that no additional processes or rights other than those specified in this agreement will be imposed by the application of the agreement by ICEM affiliates. 
 
 
3 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND VALUES 
 
The parties respect the following principles and values: 
 
&middot; the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, gender, language, national extraction, social origin, political opinion or religion; 
 
&middot; the rights of freedom of association with due regard to the principles underlying ILO Convention 87; 
 
&middot; the determination of the terms and conditions of employment through appropriate mechanisms, with due regard to the principles underlying ILO Convention 98; 
 
&middot; the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour as proscribed by ILO Conventions 29 and 105; 
 
&middot; the effective abolition of child labour as proscribed by ILO Conventions 138 and 182; 
 
&middot; the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of employment equality in respect of employment policies and practices, with due regard to ILO Conventions 100 and 111; 
 
&middot; the provision of a safe and healthy working environment by the application of industry best practice; 
 
&middot; the conduct of mining operations with proper regard for the environment and for the health and safety of all those involved, and the public at large; 
 
&middot; the promotion of good relationships with local communities and a positive and meaningful contribution to community activities; and 
 
&middot; those principles and values referred to in the UN General Secretary's initiative, the Global Compact. 
 
 
4 IMPLEMENTATION 
 
4.1 Review and Application 
 
The parties agree to meet as often as is necessary, but at least annually, to review past practice and to preview future plans relevant to their interests, and to discuss the terms of this agreement. A sub-committee will be established to consider plans and proposals placed before it by either party following any alleged breach of accepted standards of conduct that could not be resolved at the level of local and national operation. 
 
4.2 Information Sharing and Training 
 
The parties agree to distribute copies of this agreement throughout their organisations to each appropriate level and area, and to advise the parties of their rights and duties under this agreement. 
 
 
5 ADMINISTRATION AND DURATION 
 
5.1 The General Secretary of the ICEM or a designated nominee and the Chief Executive Officer of AngloGold or a designated nominee is responsible for the administration of the agreement. 
 
5.2 The agreement will come into effect once signed and remains in force unless otherwise agreed or amended, or terminated by either party giving three calendar months&rsquo; notice, in writing, to the other. 
 
 
Signed by 
 
 
Fred Higgs, General Secretary, ICEM 
Bobby Godsell, CEO, Anglogold 
Senzeni Zokwana, President, NUM

Text of the Global Agreement between ICEM and AngloGold

「HIV/エイズと職場」についての問題事項を解説するため、ICEMはいくつかのパワーポイントプレゼンテーションを作成しました。 
 
各地域用に内容が少し異なるバージョンがあります。 
アジア地域用のHIV/エイズについてのパワーポイントプレテーション日本語版をお読みになりたい方、ダウンロードされたい方は<a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/HIVAIDSAsiaJA.ppt">ここをクリック</a>してください。 
 
この他、<a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/HIVAIDSAfrica.ppt">アフリカ</a>、<a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/HIVAIDSAsia.ppt">アジア</a>、<a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/HIVAIDSEECA.ppt">東欧及び中央アジア</a>、<a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/HIVAIDSLA.ppt">南アメリカ</a>の各地域用と<a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/HIVAIDSglobal.ppt">グローバルレベル一般用</a>がありますが、すべて英語版のみです。 
 
もっと詳しくお知りになりたい方は <a href="mailto:hiv.aids@icem.org">hiv.aids@icem.org</a>　までeメールでご連絡ください。

ICEM のＨＩＶ/エイズへの対応と取り組み

You can direct all information and requests to the general e-mail address of the ICEM:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@icem.org">info@icem.org</a>. Please also use this address in case you have a specific request,&nbsp;but are unsure about whom to contact directly. The ICEM&rsquo;s general phone number in Geneva&nbsp;is&nbsp;++41-22-304-1840.
Please also take into account that, in case you try to&nbsp;contact a staff member directly, he or she may&nbsp;not be in the office for a period of time while traveling. In those cases, the staff member concerned may not answer your e-mail as quickly as you would have hoped. 
All ICEM staff can be reached by e-mail as follows: 
<a href="mailto:firstname.lastname@icem.org">firstname.lastname@icem.org</a> 

&nbsp;Management team
<img alt="" src="" width="210" height="208" /> 
 
Manfred Warda 
ICEM General Secretary&nbsp; 

<img alt="" src="" width="100" height="136" />&nbsp; 
Jim Catterson&nbsp; 
ICEM Director of Organisation&nbsp;
<img alt="" src="" width="110" height="134" />
Kemal Ozkan 
ICEM Director of Industry and Corporate Affairs
<img alt="" src="" width="108" height="156" />
Marie France Sarfati 
ICEM Finance &amp; Human Resources Officer 
 
<a name="I"></a><a name="industry"></a> 
Industry Officers<a name="Industry"></a>
<img alt="" src="" width="100" height="152" />
Dick Blin 
ICEM Pulp and Paper Section Officer&nbsp; 
<img alt="" src="" width="110" height="134" />
Kemal Ozkan&nbsp; 
ICEM Chemical / Pharmaceuticals /&nbsp;Rubber Section Officer 
<img alt="" src="" width="100" height="150" />
Phee Jung-sun 
ICEM&nbsp;Materials 
(Cement, Glass, Ceramics) Section Officer 
<img alt="" src="" width="100" height="136" />
Jim Catterson 
ICEM&nbsp;Energy Section&nbsp;Officer 
<img alt="" src="" width="152" height="140" />
Glen Mpufane 
ICEM Mining &amp; DGOJP Section Officer&nbsp;
Functional Officers<a name="Functional"></a>
<img alt="" src="" width="100" height="150" />
Carol Bruce 
ICEM Gender Issues Officer 
<img alt="" src="" width="100" height="152" />
Dick Blin 
ICEM&nbsp;Information and Publications, Campaigns Officer 
&nbsp;<img alt="" src="" width="100" height="134" />
Kurt (Fons) Vannieuwenhuyse 
ICEM Projects Officer 
<img alt="" src="" width="104" height="156" />
Brian Kohler 
ICEM Health, Safety &amp; Sustainability&nbsp;Officer 
 
Regional Contact Persons <a name="Regional"></a>
<img alt="" src="" width="100" height="134" />
Anatoly Surin 
Regional contact person for Central and Eastern Europe
Carol Bruce 
Regional contact person for Latin America/Caribbean 
Brian Kohler 
Regional contact person for North America 
Kurt (Fons) Vannieuwenhuyse 
Regional contact person for Western, Nordic and Central Europe&nbsp; 
Jim Catterson&nbsp; 
Regional contact person for North Africa &amp; Middle East
Phee Jung-sun 
Regional contact person for Asia-Pacific <a href="mailto:phee.jungsun@icem.org"> 
 
</a>Support Staff<a name="Support"></a>
<img alt="" src="" width="100" height="115" />
&nbsp;Fanja Rasolomanana 
Personal Assistant to the General Secretary 
and Conference Coordinator 
<img alt="" src="" width="111" height="166" />
Steeve Latt&eacute; 
Finance &amp; Administration&nbsp;Assistant
<img alt="" src="" width="101" height="138" />
Tom Grinter 
Communications &amp; Campaigns Assistant
<img alt="" src="" width="100" height="120" />
Maria Paula Davidson 
Travel &amp; General Administrative Assistant 
<img alt="" src="" width="97" height="132" /> 
Maita Wyss 
Receptionist &amp; Database Assistant

ICEM Staff

<img height="55" alt="" src="" width="138" />
 
2005年8月22日38号 
 
 
ロックアウトされた全米ボイラー労組の化学労働者 
米国の投資会社はICEMに加盟する全米ボイラー労組（IBB)の化学労働者をロックアウトしているが、このロックアウトは製造業の企業の経営権が移行される際に冷酷な資本が米国の労働組合の破壊を試みる施策となっている。イリノイ州ミレドシアにある化学企業セラネーズの経営権を手中に収めた持ち株会社、ブラックストーングループは 
乳剤、接着剤及びポリマーを製造する工場を買収した4ヶ月後の6月6日に労働者をロックアウトした。当該工場に働く148人の労働者たちが会社側の医療保険制度の大幅譲渡案と41名の雇用機会の契約労働者への移行を拒否し、3年間継続する賃金凍結に不満の意を提示したためだ。6月末に労働者たちは再び賃金カット案を否決したが、これに対して、セラネーズ側は20-４０％の賃金カットを提案した。ICEMはすべての加盟組織に対しIBB第484支部労組への連帯支援要請の回状を出した。 
 
カナダCEP労組、UPMキメネと暫定協約を締結 
CEP労組が組織するニューブルンスウィック州ミラミチにあるＵＰＭキメネ工場経営中枢は、8月1日同労組689支部労組と暫定労働協約を妥結した。12日間の交渉の結果妥結した今回の協約はミラミチ工場を完全に閉鎖する案に反対して8ヶ月間続いている労働紛争の解決の糸口となることが期待されている。新協約を求めてストライキをしている700名の従業員の中には2004年12月に完全に閉鎖されたクラフトパルプ工場の従業員も入っている。解雇手当、年金などの問題は協約交渉事項の一部となっていた。これまでに689支部労組の組合員の大半が協約賛同票を付した。 
 
18年来の南ア金鉱業のスト、８月10日に終焉 
ICEM加盟の南ア全国鉱山労組（NUM)と他の小規模な労働組合は経営側が示した賃上げ案を受け入れ、ここ１８年来初めての金鉱業全体に波及したストライキが終った。11万人もの多数の労働者が自宅待機し、ストライキに参加したため、ピケを張る必要もなかった。また、ストはゴールドフィールド、ハーモニー、アングロゴールド・アシャンティなどの当該産業の大企業の操業が停止した。金鉱業企業を代表する南アフリカ鉱業協会と関係労働組合間の交渉で６％－７％の賃上げが妥結した。 
 
南アのNUMとNUMSA、電力会社の合併で声明を発表 
ICEM加盟の南ア全国鉱山労組（NUM)及び南ア全国金属労組を含む労働団体はESKOMの７送配電事業部と自治体が経営する１８７の送電事業会社の合併の結果、雇用機会が大幅に失われることを懸念する声明を出した。電力事業再編に関する文書によれば、1年間に1000人の雇用機会が失われることになる。この報告文書の内容は電力事業再編のために設置された国営のEDI(電力送配電持ち株会社)が出した事業再編過程での雇用喪失はないという内容の声明と矛盾する。 
 
ナイジェリアの石油労組、国内石油価格の上昇に反対 
ICEM加盟のナイジェリアの石油労組は国内の石油価格上昇に反対している。国営のナイジェリア石油公社（NNPC)と石油製品規制局 (PPPRA)はPENGSSANとNUPRNGなどの労働組合を含む公営企業の関係当事者の反対を押し切って、石油価格値上げを実施することを今月の初めに発表した。高い燃料料金によるナイジェリア社会全般への影響を緩和する措置が施行されるまで、組合として強力な反対運動を展開するとPENGASSANは言っている。NUPENGは民間産業及び公共産業に働くすべての労働者のための社会福祉制度の改善措置が取られるまで、石油価格上昇に反対するよう、ナイジェリアのすべての労働者に呼びかけた。NNPC及びPPPRAは 精製された石油の輸入価格の上昇のため、石油価格の上昇が必要となっていると断言している。しかし、労働組合はグローバルレベルでの高い石油価格に対するナイジェリアの唯一の解決策は自国の石油精製能力の増設であると強く主張している。 
 
エクワドールとナイジェリアでデモ隊が石油輸出を阻止 
エクワドールの二つのアマゾン流域の州で外資系企業の投資について抗議デモがあった先週、１日１０万バレルの石油輸出が数日間ストップした。抗議デモは同国の石油から得る利益をもっと雇用創出やインフラストラクチャーに注入するべきだ、と主張した。エクワドールの石油歳入はGDPの２５％を占めている。国営会社のペトロエクワドールは この週末に生産は「軍の支援を受け」再開したと述べた。他方、シェルはオゴニコミュニティの怒る原住民の抗議行動の結果、ナイジェリアでは南部の石油埋蔵量が多いニジェールデルタのリバース州にあるアグバーダ１フローステーションをシャットダウンしなければならなかった。抗議行動は主に５００ヘクタールを汚染した２００３年の石油流出の補償についてであった。 
 
連続する中国の鉱業惨事 
もう一つの悲しいニュースは中国でまた起きた鉱山惨事である。今回の惨事は８月７日に広東省の非合法炭坑で発生し、１２０人の労働者が多分坑内洪水で溺れて死んだ事故である。広東省深ニンの自治体役員がここの炭坑の経営権を一部所有している。報道によれば、まったく安全衛生問題を無視し、諸管理が行き届いてなかったようだ。中国政府の労働安全衛生監督局長のリ・イージョン氏によれば、「炭坑所有者の利益追求と安全規則を大幅に違反して結果がこの悲劇に繋がった。」彼はまた、この炭坑は操業許可なしで生産するとともに、７月１４日の坑内洪水発生のあと政府が生産停止を命令したが、この命令をまったく無視した。広東省当局と中国中央政府はこの惨事の事情調査を開始し、６９人の管理職を事情徴収に召還した。二名の市長はすでに停職処分を受けた。 
 
毛沢東派の嫌がらせでユニレバー、８月１７日、ネパールの工場を閉鎖 
閉鎖されたのはマクワンプール地区のマサマディにある工場。工場操業停止の決定はネパールの毛沢東派ゲリラが「工場を武力で閉鎖する」と脅迫したからである。この１ヶ月前にはもう一つの多国籍基調であるコルゲートが同じ地区にある歯磨き工場の閉鎖を強いられた。ユニレバーネパールは同国でも有数の輸出企業であるが、これまでにもゲリラのターゲットとなってきたため、また、この数年、何回か爆弾の爆発事件のテーゲットとなったからだ。ICEM加盟組織、ネパール独立化学及び鉄鋼従業員組合は全国人権委員会並びにゲリラとの仲介役として知られているその他の人権組織に対しゲリラに脅迫の取り消しを求めてくれいるよう、要請した。 
 
ヨルダンのICEM加盟組織、鉱山鉄鋼産業一般労組 
同労組は８月半ばから２７日までストライキを延期した。この決定はシディエ鉱山の硫黄鉱山事業所の経営中枢に労働者の要求を満たす措置／対応に対処するための時間を提供することを目的としている。この争議は同社が労働者のために建設している住宅についての争議で、労働組合委員長であるカリッド・ファナサが主導的役割を果たしている。 報道によれば、ヨルダンのアブドゥラは労働者に住宅を供与するべきである、との労働者を支援する声明を出した。 
 
ポーランドの鉱山労働者年金闘争で流血 
年金制度を勝ち取るため、ポーランド鉱山労働者はデモ集会を開き、警察隊と衝突し、流血事件となった。ポーランド議会下院で年金法が通過した後、下院の議長は過去に鉱山労働者として就労した人の年金法の投票を拒否した。しかし、NSZZ連帯の全国鉱山部会の１３の労働組合支部はワルシャワ市の議会前でデモ集会を開き、７１名のデモ参加者が逮捕され、デモ隊と警察から数人のけが人が出た。しかしながら、この６月末の抗議行動の結果、下院議長は自分の決定を覆し、当該年金法は上下議会を通過した。そして、つい最近、大統領が署名し、この法律は発効した。 
 
日本のアスベスト問題 
この夏、あるアスベストスキャンダルが日本で大きな話題となり、それ以後、各報道機関がアスベスト問題に注目するようになった。報道によれば、日本では毎年約３０００人の人々がアスベストが原因のガンで亡くなっている。また、この数は今後大幅に増えると危惧されている。１９８７年、ロビイストが青石綿使用の全面的禁止、とりわけ日本の学校での使用全面的禁止を求める運動を開始した時、日本政府は必要な措置や対策を取らなかった。さらに、１９９０年代にはアスベスト禁止の動きはアスベスト産業界からの激しい反対で阻止された。 
 
ICEMアジア太平洋地域グッドイヤー労組ネットワーク会議 
当該ネットワーク会議は８月８日―９日にフィリピンのマニラで開催された。会議ではタイ及びマレーシアにおける契約労働者の組合組織化運動への同社の厳しい反発に焦点が当てられた。グッドイヤー工場の組合幹部は天然ゴムの需要不足が継続する現状において天然ゴムプランテーションを手放そうとしている。日本、インド、インドネシア、マレーシア、タイの２１人の組合リーダーがこのネットワーク会議に参加した。 

&nbsp;

ICEM InBrief - 2005年8月22日38号

In the 1990s, the ICEM led the global labour movement by innovative use of the early Internet for instant and effective solidarity. The Wall Street Journal, in a front page 1999 article, said the ICEM &ldquo;is changing the face of traditional labor protests by moving strikes, pickets and other union actions into cyberspace.&rdquo; A mining house spokesman admitted in the same article it was the advent of labour activists &ldquo;trying to globalize via the Internet.&rdquo; 
<img height="86" src="" width="100" alt="" />
The 20-million-member Global Union Federation launched a new and improved website this past weekend, effectively and seamlessly tying together countless struggles, issues, and worker-related facts on all things relevant in the ICEM&rsquo;s six major industrial sectors as well as the world of labour with a new website that replaces the global labour movement&rsquo;s initial, trend-setting static website. 
 
The new site maintains the same address as the old: http://www.icem.org, and visitors are welcome to explore the ICEM&rsquo;s topical website. 
 
The site provides information in ICEM&rsquo;s seven statutory languages&mdash;English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Swedish and Russian. 
 
&ldquo;We are proud to present our affiliates, firstly, with a practical and useful website as an aid to built strong trade union structures,&rdquo; said ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs. &ldquo;The new website takes full advantage of the most modern communication technologies to support and advance our work with our affiliates.&rdquo; 
 
The ICEM website contains a wealth of materials and documents on current ICEM projects and campaigns such as Contract and Agency Labour, HIV/AIDS relief, Gender Issues, Health/Safety and Sustainable Development, Global Framework Agreements and Global Union Networks. In easily accessible archives are all ICEM News Releases, InBrief newsletters, Circulars (direct action calls), and other ICEM documents and information from past events. All materials are indexed by ICEM regions and major industrial sectors, and by individual country as well. 
 
ICEM sectors: Energy including Oil, Gas and Nuclear; Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals; Mining/Diamonds and Gems; Pulp and Paper; Rubber; and Materials, which includes Glass, Ceramics and Cement. 
 
ICEM&rsquo;s website design is compatible with the many and varied web browsers available. This means the site can also be read on small-screen and mobile information technology. Conversely, the website has been deliberately designed to allow easy access and easy download for the many workers of the world in regions where only slow internet service exists. 
 
The ICEM, based in Brussels, has 420 affiliated trade unions in 125 countries.

ICEM Introduces New, Advanced Website

Archive