Organizing mining workers in Peru18 May, 2011IMF and affiliates evaluate organizing efforts in the mining sector in Peru and set out strategic plan for the forthcoming year.
Organised Labour Prepares for COP 17 in South Africa20 May, 2011The United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is to hold its 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Durban, South Africa from 28 November to 9 December 2011. This is a government negotiations space where there is limited room for engagement by civil society. However, civil society and organised labour is working hard to raise awareness on climate change issues and ensure that their voices are heard not only at COP 17 but at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012. The 2012 conference is known as Rio+20, as it is to take place 20 years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio where the concept of sustainable development was adopted by governments for the first time and which launched key political processes on sustainable development like the COP climate negotiations.
New global union takes shape26 May, 2011The principles for creating a new global union federation that unites industrial and manufacturing workers around the world were adopted by a joint executive meeting of IMF, ICEM and ITGLWF on May 25, 2011.
Building union power in Honda30 May, 2011UK union Unite and the Japan Council of the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF-JC) commit to building a stronger alliance to benefit workers in Japanese companies.
Canadian Auto Workers Win 27-Day Strike at Sandvik Metals17 August, 2011An unbroken chain of solidarity and staunch resolve by all 157 members of Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Local 2228 staved off contract concessions in Canada recently. On 8 August, union members ratified a three-year agreement with Sandvik Materials Technology Canada, a subsidiary of Swedish industrial giant Sandvik AB, with an 80.6% vote, ending a successful strike that began on 13 July.
Mexican Volkswagen workers win six per cent pay rise19 August, 2011The agreement with the company also includes a one-off payment for union members, employment contracts for temporary workers and company contributions to the cost of school materials for the children of union members.
Los Mineros achieve recognition at Excellon de Mexico24 August, 2011On August 18 local Section 309 of the National Miners' and Metalworkers' Union of Mexico (SNTMMSRM) at the mine La Platosa in the state of Durango, Mexico reached an agreement with the management of Excellon de Mexico S.A. de C.V. a subsidiary of the Canadian owned mining company Excellon Resources Inc.
Jack Layton dies at the age of 6123 August, 2011Obituary Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada and a strong ally of trade unions, died of cancer on August 22, at the age of 61.
IMF Africa Regional Conference identifies key regional priorities12 July, 2011Affiliates from 16 African countries met in Johannesburg, South Africa on 6th and 7th July 2011 to discuss progress of the women's programme, the implementation of the IMF action programme and the creation of the new global union federation.
NEWU celebrates 27 years of uniting educating and fighting for workers rights19 July, 2011The National Engineering Workers Union (NEWU) held its 7th special congress under the theme 27 Years of Uniting, Educating and Fighting for Workers Rights on 24 and 25 June 2011 in Kwe Kwe. The special congress called for unity within the union as well as nationally and internationally to further strengthen the struggle of workers.
