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Global worker No1 2022

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<img style="margin-right: 5px" src="" alt="IFAs" title="IFAs" width="89" height="89" align="left" />How do you protect workers rights where legislation is inadequate? How can you ensure respect for the <strong>ILO Core Labour Standards</strong> in all facilities of a transnational company? And how do you protect the interests of workers where unions are weak or non-existent?<br /><br />International Framework Agreements (IFAs) are a relatively recent tool but one now widely used by the IMF and other Global <br />Union Federations to <strong>lay down the rules of conduct for transnational companies</strong>. Since they are <strong>negotiated on a <br />global level</strong> and require the <strong>participation of trade unions</strong>, International Framework Agreements are an ideal <br />instrument for dealing with the issues raised by globalisation. <br /><br />This is why the International Metalworkers Federation is dedicated to pursuing IFAs in all transnational companies where <br />our affiliates have members.<br /><br /><br /><strong>The future direction of International Framework Agreements (IFAs) was the subject of discussion at a world conference in 2006. The recommendations arising from the conference and subsequently adopted by the IMF Executive Committee can be found <a href="../index.cfm?c=14787">here</a>.</strong>

In depth: IFAs

List of all IFAs concluded by the Global Union Federations

Indesit (previously Merloni)

Volkswagen

Daimler

Leoni

Rheinmetall

Bosch

Prym

Renault

EADS

Röchling

PSA Peugeot Citroën

Brunel

Umicore

Vallourec

Aker

Electrolux

Norsk Hydro

Deutsch

Italiano

Portuguese

&#1056;&#1091;&#1089;&#1089;&#1082;&#1080;&#1081;

Srpski

The power of Framework Agreements

A &quot;Declaration on Social Rights and Industrial Relationships at Volkswagen&quot; was signed in June 2002, by Volkswagen management, the IMF and the Volkswagen Global Works' Council (GWC). <br /><br />The Declaration states that the principles of the <a href="index.cfm?n=47&amp;l=2&amp;c=7799">ILO Core Labour Standards</a> will be assured within Volkswagen. <br /><br />The VW Declaration deals with the freedom of association, collective bargaining, prohibition of child work and forced labour and non-discrimination, as well as remuneration, health and safety and working time. <br /><br /><strong>Company management will report to the GWC and its Steering Committee</strong>, and in cases of reported violations, one of the two will become active and discuss ways to solve the problems. The IMF's coordinator for the VW Global Works' Council is involved in this discussion and will bring in the position of the IMF and its affiliated unions. <br /><br />The agreement is applicable to the entire Volkswagen group - <strong>Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Rolls-Royce Bentley, Lamborghini, Auto-Europa</strong>.

List of Volkswagen plants and brands

English (pdf)

German (pdf)

French (pdf)

Spanish (pdf)

Italian (pdf)

Portuguese (pdf)

Dutch (pdf)

Polish (pdf)

Czech (pdf)

IFA: Volkswagen

<p> The Africa Office is the oldest regional office within the IMF and was established during the period of the mergers of the major metal unions in South Africa at that time. Numsa, the IMF's largest affiliate in the region, is a result of the merger. The office was created in the pre-democracy years where the struggle for worker rights in South Africa was experiencing its most volatile era through major protests, strikes and other desperate industrial actions. </p><p>The regional office has 28 affiliates with a total membership amounting to over 320 000 members. The region is divided into four sub-regions: East, West, North and Southern Africa. The two most active sub-regions are East and Southern Africa with West Africa struggling to alleviate some of its internal problems and the IMF Head Office sharing most of the responsibility for North Africa because of language and geographical dynamics. </p><p>The regional office concentrates on union building, education and equal rights as part of its core activities in line with the IMF Action Programme. In addition, the office encourages mergers of small unions in order to facilitate growth and development of bigger, more powerful unions, as well as encouraging solidarity among workers through this process. Furthermore, the regional office has assisted affiliates with collective bargaining and organising campaigns as well as campaigns to highlight the poor effects of precarious work. </p><p>The regional office faces many challenges on a regular basis that sometimes acts as impediments to real progress in the region. Due to the lack of large manufacturing bases in Africa, there are very small metal unions on the continent. This has thus highlighted the need to develop more general unions and to create space for different merges to take place. </p><p>Another severe challenge is that of HIV/AIDS: Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS in the world and whose direct impact is to kill off communities and the workforce in many countries. HIV/AIDS is a severe threat to livelihoods of families through deaths of bread-winners and therefore education and training around HIV/AIDS needs to be done on a continuous basis.</p><p>Women continue to pose a further challenge for unions on the continent. Women remain in the background of union decision-making bodies are therefore marginalized on a regular basis. Leadership on the continent continue to downplay the valuable role that women bring to the labour movement and therefore are not opening up and creating adequate space for women to operate and lead within unions. </p><p>The economic and political landscape in Africa is often unstable with high inflation rates, food insecurity and rising energy and fuel prices being the order of the day. This inevitably does not easily facilitate sound democracy and good governance from governments. The problem is compounded with high levels of poverty, unemployment, HIV/AIDS and a general economic meltdown of essential social services in almost all affiliated countries.</p><p>Thus, the environment in which the office operates has many challenges, but we continue to endeavour towards building strong, effective unions that can tackle many of the challenges listed above. </p><p>The regional office produces a quarterly newsletter, UMOJA, as well as assists affiliates in the region to develop educational and training materials. </p>

IMF Africa regional office

<p>GERMANY: This week, IG Metall launched a wave of &quot;warning strikes&quot; across Germany to put pressure on employers to accept the union's demand of an eight per cent pay rise for 3.6 million metalworkers. </p><p>More than 150,000 autoworkers, engineers and electronics workers at more than 500 production sites participated in the temporary walkouts that began on November 1 and are scheduled to continue throughout the week. </p><p>The trade union has rejected the 2.9% wage rise over 14 months offered by employers. </p><p>Some companies where warning strikes have been held include: Opel, Siemens, Porsche, Deutz AG, Audi, Daimler, Ford, Mahle, Continental, Federal-Mogul,  TRW, MAN, Bosch, VW , Mercedes,  and BMW.</p><p>IG Metall is due to resume wage negotiations on Nov. 11 and has warned of a nationwide general strike on November 17 should talks fail.</p>

Metalworkers throughout Germany stage temporary work stoppages for eight per cent pay increase.

Solidarity letter from CNM/CUT Brazil

IG Metall launches &quot;warning strikes&quot; for wage rise

INDIA: The International Metalworkers' Federation met with representatives of economies accounting for over 95% of world crude steel production to emphasize the need to consider the human costs to steel consolidation and globalisation.<br /><br />The meeting was held on May 16-17, in India, a country where the steel industry is growing, providing direct and indirect employment to over 2 million people. It is the 8th largest steel-producing nation in the world with crude steel production of 35 million tones in 2004-2005. <br /><br />The global steel industry is in the midst of massive consolidation. Most recently, Mittal Steel announced its $27 billion offer to acquire rival Arcelor SA. Mittal is the world's largest steel producer, with an annual production capacity of around 70 million tonnes. Arcelor follows in second place with an annual shipment capacity of around 47 million tonnes. <br /><br />The IMF challenged recommendations proposed by the OECD regarding international steel production. IMF director for steel, Rob Johnston, charged the group with failing to take into account employment relationships, and argued that governments and employers must consider workers' rights when mapping out a future for steel globalisation.<br /><br />"We respect the work the OECD has taken in producing this paper, but I'm disappointed that they failed to identify the human cost that globalisation has had on employment. Today, the IMF delivered a strong message to government and employers alike that more should be done to stabilise employment and promote workers' rights."

Government, industry and trade union officials meet in New Delhi to discuss the future of the steel industry.

IMF to OECD: what about the workers?

<h4>Austria</h4><h4>AUSTRIAN METAL TEXTILE FOODWORKERS UNION</h4><p>Vienna --- members of the GMTN demonstrated in front of the Japanese embassy and handed over a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092109132779/Austria_GMTN.pdf">petition</a> to the Japanese ambassador. They also reported about the day of action and the Toyota Philippines campaign on their union website: <a href="http://www.gmtn.at/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=GMT/Page/GMT_Index&amp;n=GMT_4.a&amp;cid=1157625784746">http://www.gmtn.at/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=GMT/Page/GMT_Index&amp;n=GMT_4.a&amp;cid=1157625784746</a>.</p><h3>Australia</h3><h4>AUSTRAILIAN MANUFACTURING WORKERS UNION (AMWU)</h4><p>The AMWU added the Toyota Philippines campaign to their website and designed a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090116214879/TMPCWA-AMWU-IDA_060820.pdf">leaflet</a> to compliment their mobilization efforts at Japanese embassy.</p><br /><ul><li>Sydney --- 50 people, including Toyota workers demonstrated in the centre of the city in Martin Place. The demonstration was very noisy and attracted the attention of lunch time crowds. Leaflets were handed out. The local Philippino support organisation PAUL was present. The CFMEU construction union also participated. The rally was addressed by AMWU State Secretary Paul Bastian. A delegation met with the Japanese Consul and presented the petition and the consul agreed to pass on the message to their government.<br /></li><li>Melbourne --- 170 people rallied outside the Japanese consulate in Melbourne as part of a national protest against car giant Toyota. Workers and union officials chanted slogans including &quot;Shame Toyota shame&quot; and &quot;Who screws their workers? - Toyota&quot;. They also signed a petition, which was later handed to consulate staff, which focuses on the Japanese carmaker&#039;s operation in the Philippines.<br /><br /></li><li>Brisbane --- A small demonstration was held outside the consulate in Brisbane. The consulate was closed in anticipation of the demonstration and the building totally locked down. The demonstrators tried to enter the building, but were physically prevented from doing so. After some pushing and shoving, agreement was reached that the consul would meet with the demonstrators and the petition was handed over and it was agreed that the message would be passed on to Tokyo. Leaflets were handed out to the lunchtime crowds. <br /></li><li>Hobart --- A demonstration was held outside a Toyota Dealership in Launceston at 12 noon. All AMWU officials, a small number of AMWU delegates, and other unions involved included NUW, HACSU, AEU and RTBU. All unions flew their various flags. A couple of the salespeople came out from the dealership to see what was happening, they were in good humour and joined in with the flag bearing. They weren&#039;t even aware that Toyota had people in the Philippines. The owner of the dealership was not on the site, so a delegation of AMWU went inside to meet with the Co-Owner to let him know what we were doing and asked him to pass on the protest letter to the President of the Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. He agreed to do so.<br /></li><li>Adelaide --- A demonstration was held outside the main Toyota dealership in Adelaide. There was a good attendance and the noisy demonstration handed out leaflets to the public.<br /></li><li>Perth --- A demonstration was held outside the Japanese consulate in Perth and was addressed by State Secretary of the AMWU Jock Ferguson.</li></ul><br /><h3>Argentina</h3><h4>ASOCIACIÓN OBRERA MINERA ARGENTINA (AOMA), ASOCIACIÓN DE SUPERVISORES DE LA INDUSTRIA METALMECÁNICA DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA (ASIMRA), UNIÓN OBRERA METALÚRGICA (UOM)</h4><br /><ul><li>The affiliates sent letters of protest to the Japanese embassy in Argentina.</li></ul><h3>Bangladesh</h3><h4>BANGLADESH METALWORKERS&#039; FEDERATION (BMF) and the BANGLADESH METALWORKERS&#039; LEAGUE (BML)</h4><ul><li>Dhaka --- The BMF General Secretary Mr. Nazrul Islam Khan and BML General Secretary Md. Mojibhur Rahman Bhuiyan met the Ambassador of Japan Embassy in Dhaka and submitted a petition.</li></ul><br /><h3>Belgium</h3><h4>LANDELIJKE BEDIENDEN CENTRALE - NATIONAAL VERBOND VOOR KADERPERSONEEL (LBC-NVK) and SYNDICAT DES EMPLOYÉS, TECHNICIENS ET CADRES DE BELGIQUE (SETCA-BBTK)</h4><p>LBC-NVK and SETCA-BBTK launched a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090115435779/Belgium_affiliates_pamflet_filippijnen.pdf">petition on the web</a> and at local Toyota plants. </p><ul><li>Brussels --- On the 12th of September 60 trade unionists demonstrated before the Embassy of Japan demanding the reintegration of the 136 Toyota-employees of the Philippines. Ms Madoka Funatsu, second secretary of the Japanese ambassador, received a delegation of 6 persons. The delegation was able to share their concerns but also to hand over the results of a petition. In two weeks time they succeeded in collecting more than 1,000 signatures. The embassy had respect for this action and promised to give the petition to their government. The case at Toyota Philippines will be examined and if necessary the Japanese government will put pressure on Toyota and the Philippine government. The embassy has promised us to give feedback within the month about the steps the Japanese government will take in this case. &quot;Kanaal Z&quot; TV did a short report on the action.<br /><br /><br />After this action the demonstrators joined a demonstration of the Belgian network &quot;Stop the killings in the Philippines&quot;. They were demonstrating before the European Commission where the Philippine president was on a visit. The protestors called on the Philippine government to urgently guarantee the security of human rights activists and also trade union activists and thoroughly investigate the political assassinations. Since 2001, 750 political assassinations have been committed in the Philippines, many of them trade unionists. <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092109303879/Belgium_letter_to_japanese_embassy.pdf">Letter of the Belgian affiliates to the Japanese Embassy.</a></li></ul><br /><h3>Brazil</h3><h4>CONFEDERAÇÃO NACIONAL DOS METALÚRGICOS (CNM/CUT)</h4><ul><li>Sao Paulo --- CNM/CUT publicised the IMF&#039;s September 12 DAY of ACTION in their <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092109372579/CNM_CUT.pdf">international bulletin</a>.</li></ul><h4>CONFEDERAÇÃO NACIONAL DOS TRABALHADORES METALÚRGICOS (CNTM-FS)</h4><br /><ul><li>The affiliate sent a letter to the Japanese embassy in Brazil.</li></ul><h3>Chile</h3><h4>CONFEDERACIÓN NACIONAL DE TRABAJADORES METALÚRGICOS (CONSTRAMET)</h4><ul><li>Santiago --- The affiliate sent a letter to the Japanese embassy.</li></ul><br /><h3>Colombia</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERACIÓN DE TRABAJADORES DE LAS INDUSTRIAS METALÚRGICAS, ELÉCTRICAS Y MECÁNICAS DE COLOMBIA (FETRAMECOL) <br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy.</li></ul><h4><br />COLOMBIA&#039;S NATIONAL MINEWORKERS&#039; UNION (SINTRAMINERCOL) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>SINTRAMINERCOL sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy. </li></ul><h3>Curacao<br /></h3><h4><br />CURACAOSCHE ALGEMENE DOK &amp; METAALBEWERKERS UNIE (CADMU) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy.</li></ul><br /><h3>France</h3><h4><br /><br />FÉDÉRATION NATIONALE CFTC DES SYNDICATS DE LA MÉTALLURGIE ET PARTIES SIMILAIRES (CFTC), FÉDÉRATION DES TRAVAILLEURS DE LA MÉTALLURGIE (FTM-CGT)<br /></h4><ul><li>Valenciennes --- The CFTC mobilized their members on September 12 in front of Toyota France and sent a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090115452279/cftc.pdf">protest letter</a> to the Japanese Ambassador in Paris.<br /></li><li>Montreuil --- The FTM-CGT sent a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092109495779/p_tition_philipine_CGT.pdf">letter</a> to the Philippine ambassador asking him to use his influence in bringing a just and fair outcome for the TMPCWA members illegally fired.</li></ul><br /><h3>Ghana</h3><h4><br /><br />INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION (ICU)<br /><br /></h4><ul><li>ICU wrote a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06110815260479/Ghana_ICU.pdf">letter</a> in support of TMPCWA workers and send it to the Japanese embassy in Accra.</li></ul><br /><h3>Guatemala</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERACIÓN DE TRABAJADORES DE LA METAL-MECÁNICA DE GUATEMALA (FETRAMEGUA) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy. </li></ul><br /><h3>Honduras</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERACIÓN DE TRABAJADORES MINEROS Y METALÚRGICOS DE HONDURAS (FETRAMIMH) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy. </li></ul><br /><h3>India</h3><h4><br /><br />STEEL, METAL &amp; ENGINEERING WORKERS&#039; FEDERATION OF INDIA (SMEFI), INDIAN NATIONAL METALWORKERS&#039; FEDERATION (INMF), and WORKING PEOPLE TRADE UNION COUNCIL (WPTUC)<br /></h4><ul><li>Mumbai --- The SMEFI General Secretary Mr. Sanjay S. Vadhavkar, Mr. V.V. Rane and other office bearers met as a delegation with Consulate General of Japan and submitted a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092109580679/India_SMEFI.pdf">petition</a>. The Consul General has responded in a letter stating that he will forward the petition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan.<br /></li><li>New Delhi --- The INMF Secretary Mr. P.J. Raju and others submitted the petition to the Japan Embassy in New Delhi.<br /></li><li>Chennai --- The INMF affiliated Tamil Nadu National Engineering Employees&#039; Union conducted a protest demonstration under the leadership of Mr. N. Devarajan and submitted a petition to Consulate General of Japan in Chennai. The protest actions are covered by Media i.e. Local TV news channels. And, The WPTUC conducted a protest demonstration under the leadership of Mr. R. Kuchelan and submitted a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092110005279/India_WPTUC.pdf">petition</a> to Consulate General of Japan in Chennai.</li></ul><br /><h3>Indonesia</h3><h4><br /><br />LOMENIK-SBSI<br /></h4><ul><li>Jakarta --- Workers demonstrated in front of the Japanese embassy calling for Toyota Philippines to REINSTATE THEM NOW!</li></ul><h3>Kenya</h3><h4><br /><br />AMALGAMATED UNION OF KENYA METALWORKERS<br /></h4><ul><li>Nairobi --- Kenyan Metalworkers sent the <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090115544079/Kenyan_Metal_Workers.pdf">following letter</a>.</li></ul><h3><br />Korea (South)</h3><h4><br /><br />KKOREAN METAL WORKERS&#039; FEDERATION<br /></h4><ul><li>Seoul ---The KMWF sent a letter of protest on September 12 to the Japanese ambassador in Korea.</li></ul><h3><br />Mexico</h3><h4><br /><br />SINDICATO NACIONAL DE TRABAJADORES DE TELEINDUSTRIAS Y SISTEMAS DIGITALES DE LA REPUBLICA MEXICANA (SNTTSD) and SINDICATO NACIONAL DE TRABAJADORES MINEROS, METALÚRGICOS Y SIMILARES DE LA REPÚBLICA MEXICANA (SNTMMS) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliates sent protest letters to the Japanese embassy in Mexico. </li></ul><br /><br /><h3>Nepal</h3><h4><br /><br />NEPAL FACTORY LABOUR CONGRESS (NFLC)<br /></h4><ul><li>Kathmandu --- The NFLC President Mr. Dhirendra Kumar Singh along with other Office Bearers submitted a petition to Japanese Embassy at Kathmandu.</li></ul><br /><h3>Pakistan</h3><h4><br /><br />PAKISTAN METALWORKERS&#039; FEDERATION (PMF)<br /></h4><ul><li>Karachi --- The PMF Secretary General Muhammad Suhail and other Office Bearers submitted a petition to Japanese Consulate in Karachi and the Consulate assured them that they would forward the petition to the concerned authorities.</li></ul><br /><h3>Peru</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERACIÓN DE TRABAJADORES DE LAS INDUSTRIAS MINERAS, METALÚRGICAS Y AFINES DEL PERÚ (FETIMAP)and CENTRAL NACIONAL DE TRABAJADORES INDUSTRIALES DEL METAL &amp; ELECTRO MECANICA DEL PERU (CEMETAL)<br /></h4><ul><li>Lima --- the affiliates sent protest letters to the Japanese Ambassador.</li></ul><br /><h3>Philippines</h3><h4><br /><br />TOYOTA MOTOR PHILIPPINES CORPORATION WORKERS&#039; ASSOCIATION (TMPCWA), NISSAN WORKERS UNION, HONDA WORKERS UNION (part of CAR-AID alliance) and MWAP<br /></h4><ul><li>Manila --- A picket action was launched in front of the Japanese Embassy. The action was attended by members of TMPCWA and other unions as well as families of the illegally dismissed members of TMPCWA. The Labour Attaché of the Embassy and the Economic Affairs officials met with two leaders of TMPCWA, Representatives of CAR-AID, MWAP and two representatives from the Support Group of TMPCWA from Japan for one almost one hour inside the Embassy and promised to discuss this issue with Tokyo Foreign Ministry Officials.</li></ul><br /><h3>Romania</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERATIA NATIONALA SINDICALA (METAROM)<br /></h4><ul><li>Bucharest --- METAROM members held a picket line in front of the Japanese Embassy in solidarity support of Toyota Philippine workers.</li></ul><br /><br /><h3>Russia</h3><h4><br /><br />MINERS &amp; METALLURGICAL WORKERS&#039; UNION OF RUSSIA (MMWU)<br /></h4><ul><li>Moscow --- A representative of the union paid a visit to the Japanese Embassy and handed in a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092110332279/Russia_petition_MMWU.pdf">petition</a> to the Japanese ambassador. </li></ul><h4>SHIPBUILDING WORKERS&#039; UNION OF RUSSIA (SWU)<br /></h4><ul><li>Moscow --- SWU sent a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092110220079/Russian_shipbuilders.pdf">protest letter</a> to the Japanese ambassador.<br /></li></ul><h4>ENGINEERING WORKERS&#039; UNION OF RUSSIA (EWU) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092211522379/EWU_protest_letter.pdf">protest letter</a> to the Japanese embassy in Moscow</li></ul><br /><h3>Singapore</h3><h4><br /><br />INTERNATIONAL METALWORKERS&#039; FEDERATION SINGAPORE COUNCIL<br /></h4><ul><li>The IMF-Singapore Council delivered a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090115490479/IMFSC_letter.pdf">letter of protest</a><br />to the Japanese embassy on September 12.</li></ul><br /><h3>South Africa</h3><h4><br /><br />NATIONAL UNION OF METALWORKERS OF SOUTH AFRICA (NUMSA)<br /></h4><ul><li>Johannesburg --- More than 400 NUMSA members protested in front of the Japanese embassy. IMF regional representative Stephen Nhlapo delivered a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092110435979/NUMSA.pdf">letter of protest</a> calling for a resolution to the situation facing 136 unjustly fired TMPCWA workers.</li></ul><br /><h3>Sri Lanka</h3><h4><br /><br />JATHIKA SEWAKA SANGAMAY METALWORKERS&#039; FEDERATION (JSSMF) and the SRI LANKA NIDAHAS SEWAKA SANGAMAYA (SLNSS)<br /></h4><ul><li>Colombo --- The JSSMF Secretary Mr. Palitha Atukorale and SLNSS General Secretary Mr. Leslie Devendra met the Ambassador of Japan Embassy in Colombo and submitted a petition.<br /></li></ul><h3>Thailand</h3><h4><br /><br />CONFEDERATION OF THAI ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; ELECTRONIC AUTOMOBILE &amp; METALWORKERS (TEAM)<br /></h4><ul><li>Bangkok --- TEAM executive and active leaders gathered in front of the Japan Embassy in Bangkok at 10:20 where reporters and police had been waiting in expectation. Bro.Chalee Loysoong handed out copies of the <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092110482979/TEAM_protest_letter.pdf">appeal letter</a> to his Excellency, the Japan Ambassador, to media and requested a meeting with the office-in-charge of the day. The Labour Attaché then granted a meeting with TEAM representatives. Bro.Chalee Loysoong expressed Thai metalworkers&#039; concern over Toyota-Philippines&#039; management violations against its workers&#039; trade union rights and that the company has refused to re-instate all concerned unionists back to work.</li></ul><br /><h3>Ukraine</h3><h4><br /><br />TRADE UNION OF MACHINE BUILDERS AND INSTRUMENT MAKERS OF UKRAINE<br /><br />AUTOMOBILE AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY WORKERS&#039; UNION OF UKRAINE<br /><br />RADIO ELECTRONICS AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING WORKERS&#039; TRADE UNION<br /><br />TRADE UNION OF DEFENCE INDUSTRY WORKERS<br />UKRAINIAN SHIPBUILDING TRADE UNION; <br /><br />UKRAINIAN MACHINEBUILDING AND METALWORKING UNION &quot;MACHMETALL&quot;<br /><br />TRADE UNION OF AIRCRAFT BUILDERS OF UKRAINE<br /><br /></h4><ul><li>Kyev --- A collective effort from seven Ukraine affiliates signed on to <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090116224179/Ukraine_affiliates.pdf">a protest letter</a> on behalf of TMPCWA workers and sent it to the Japanese ambassador.</li></ul><br /><h3>Uruguay</h3><h4><br /><br />UNIÓN NACIONAL DE TRABAJADORES DEL METAL Y RAMAS AFINES (UNTMRA) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy</li></ul><br /><h3>Venezuela</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERACIÓN DE TRABAJADORES METALÚRGICOS, MINEROS, MECÁNICOS Y SUS SIMILARES DE VENEZUELA (FETRAMETAL) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy. </li></ul><br /><h3>Denmark/Finland/Norway/Sweden</h3><br /><br /><h4>Nordic IN</h4><br /><br /><ul><li>Nordic IN sent letters of protest to <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090616090579/Toyota_Phi_protest_9-2006.pdf">Toyota management</a> and <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090616104379/Toyota_Phi_DOLE_protest_9-2006.pdf">Philippines&#039; Department of Labour and Employment</a>.</li></ul><br /><h3>South-East Europe</h3><br /><br /><h3>Serbia</h3><h4><br /><br />GRANSKI SINDIKAT METALACA (NEZAVISNOST)<br /><br /></h4><h3>Croatia</h3><h4><br /><br />METAL WORKERS TRADE UNION OF CROATIA<br /><br /></h4><h3>Slovenia</h3><h4><br /><br />SINDIKAT KOVINSKE IN ELEKTROINDUSTRIJE SLOVENIJE<br /><br /></h4><h3>Macedonia</h3><h4><br /><br />TRADE UNION OF INDUSTRY, ENERGY AND MINING, SIER<br /><br /></h4><h3>Bosnia-Herzegovina</h3><h4><br /><br />METALWORKERS AND MINERS UNION OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA<br /><br />TRADE UNION OF METALWORKERS<br /><br /></h4><h3>Bulgaria</h3><h4><br /><br />TRADE UNION (METALICY)<br /><br />SYNDICAL FEDERATION OF MACHINEBUILDERS AND METALWORKERS<br /><br />CL- PODKREPA-SFMM<br /><br />FEDERATION OF METALLURGY - CL PODKREPA-FM<br /><br />FEDERATION METAL ELEKTRO<br /><br /></h4><h3>Montenegro</h3><h4><br /><br />FREE TRADE UNION OF METALWORKERS OF MONTENEGRO<br /><br /></h4><h3>Kosovo</h3><h4><br /><br />INDEPENDENT TRADE UNION OF METALWORKERS OF KOSOVO - SPMK<br /><br /></h4><h3>Romania</h3><h4><br /><br />F.N.S. SOLIDARITATEA METAL<br /><br />FEDERATIA NATIONALA SINDICALA METAROM<br /><br />METALWORKERS FEDERATRION (HENRI COANDA-FRATIA)<br /><br /></h4><ul><li>IMF affiliates in South-East Europe have signed a collective petition both in <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06091115461479/Toyota_Campaign_Belgrade_E.pdf">English</a> and <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06091115474679/Toyota_Campaign_Belgrade_Serbian.pdf">Serbian</a> and handed it over to the Japanese ambassador in Serbia on September 12.</li></ul><br /><br />

RESULTS from the Day of ACTION 
September 12, 2006

Day of ACTION &lt;br&gt;September 12, 2006

PHILIPPINES: The International Metalworkers' Federation has learned that at least 21 members of the Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Workers Association (TMPCWA) were arrested and are currently being detained by authorities following a demonstration in front of the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE).<br /><br />What started as a peaceful action turned bloody as DOLE security attacked TMPCWA demonstrators.<br /><br />Workers report that at 9:30 am, on August 16, a group of about 21 went to the DOLE to update their TMPWCA case. Armed DOLE security attempted to keep the group from entering, "...but some of TMPCWA members pushed through to the inside of the buildings. Five gunshots echoed while the securities of the buildings tried to hold us back. Some of the members suffered serious injuries from the bat of the securities namely Angelo Gavarra, Rommel Mariano, Manolito Gertes, Vergilio Colandog," said a TMPCWA member in an emailed update on the situation.<br /><br />The police have charged TMPCWA members with damage to properties, assault, and inciting to sedition. Currently, all 21 workers in question are still being held at the Western Police District Headquarters in Manila.<br /><br />The IMF sent a letter to the president of the Philippines expressing its deep concern for the health and safety of TMPCWA workers and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested.<br /><br />The TMPCWA action was an effort to protest the DOLE&#039;s recent decision to declare the Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Labour Organisation (TMPCLO), a company-backed union, exclusive bargaining rights at Toyota Philippines Motor Corporation. <br /><br />The TMPCWA have been struggling for union recognition at Toyota Philippines and fighting for the reinstatement of 136 workers who were illegally fired following a worker demonstration.<br /><br />The IMF and its affiliates have maintained an ongoing campaign on behalf of worker rights for TMPCWA members. For more information about the IMF campaign go to: <a href="../toyotaphilippines">www.imfmetal.org/toyotaphilippines.</a><br /><br />Update August 18, 2006--- All 21 TMPCWA members were released without charges.

TMPCWA members beaten and shot at while protesting in front of the Department of Labour and Employment.

Toyota workers unite

Toyota Philippines global campaign

Support for TMPCWA growing

TMPCWA dentention

Toyota Philippines workers arrested

GLOBAL: The International Metalworkers' Federation has coordinated a DAY of ACTION on September 12 calling on all affiliates to urge the Japanese government to use its influence in bringing a just resolution to the troubling situation at Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation.<br /><br />The IMF Executive Committee in May 2006 supported the launch of a campaign for the reinstatement of workers unjustly dismissed at Toyota Philippines. The company has repeatedly refused to reinstate 136 illegally dismissed workers or recognise the Toyota Motor Philippine Corporation Workers Association (TMPCWA) as the sole bargaining agent. <br /><br />Last month, IMF affiliates representing Toyota workers conducted solidarity actions at Toyota sites in South Africa, Brazil, the UK, Australia and Thailand. Other affiliates have collected funds for the TMPCWA and sent letters of protest to Toyota management.<br /><br />On a broader scale, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) which represents 155 million workers in 156 countries, has released a damaging report on labour rights abuses in the Philippines. In their 2006 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights, the report specifically refers to the Toyota Motor Philippines dispute as an example of foreign companies exploiting Philippine labour laws to break unions and trample workers' rights.<br /><br />For more information and other materials about the situation at Toyota Philippines go to the IMF website at: <a href="../main/index.cfm?id=47&amp;l=2&amp;cid=13914">www.imfmetal.org/toyotaphilippines</a>

Affiliates to demonstrate at Japanese embassies and consulates demanding justice for Toyota Philippines workers.

Reinstate them now!

IMF announces DAY of ACTION on September 12

CANADA: After just two weeks of negotiations, members of United<br />Steelworkers (USW) Local 8740 at Gerdau Ameristeel&#039;s Manitoba Metals in St. Andrews ratified a new five-year labour contract covering 87 workers in the scrap prep facility that serves as a feeder for the company&#039;s Selkirk mill.<br /><br />Worker gains under the St. Andrews agreement includes: <ul><br /><li>A $750 signing bonus<br /></li><li>Annual wage increases totalling $2.15 to $3.55 an hour<br /></li><li>A 30 per cent pension increase<br /></li><li>Improved health and safety language <br /></li><li>The creation of new maintenance positions that are likely to create new hiring<br /></li><li>Company-provided work clothing and outerwear<br /></li><li>A new arbitration process to improve grievance handling<br /></li><li>A 30-day, company-sponsored training program for health and safety committee members</li></ul><br /><br />The relatively quick settlement with Canadian management comes in stark contrast to Gerdau's business practices in the U.S. where seven labour agreements with the company have expired and a recent ruling in favour of USW members found Gerdau to be in violation of its labour agreement.<br /><br />"We have had nothing but problems with Gerdau's management since they have acquired steelmaking properties in the United States, " said USW International President Leo W. Gerard referring to Gerdau's refusal to pay profit sharing to workers at one of its Kentucky plants. The USW fought the company and won more than $ 2 million in back pay for its members. <br /><br />&quot;How can Gerdau have decent relations with our union in Canada and get along with unions in its home country of Brazil while refusing to deal in good faith with its U.S. workers?<br /><br />&quot;It&#039;s time that Gerdau&#039;s chairman and CEO Jorge Johannpeter Gerdau come to the U.S. and get involved in negotiations before his Tampa management leads his company to ruin,&quot; said Gerard.<br /><br />The United Steelworkers represents some 3,000 workers at 13 Gerdau<br />locations in North America.

Settlement delivers wage and pension increases, improved health and safety and signing bonuses.

Canadian Steelworkers ratify agreement with Gerdau

AUSTRALIA: IMF affiliates from Australia, UK, Canada, New Zealand and elsewhere took action at on behalf of members of the Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Workers' Association (TMPCWA) who are fighting for reinstatement of sacked workers and union recognition.<br /><br />AMWU president Julius Roe, IMF general secretary Marcello Malentacchi and AMWU national secretary Doug Cameron addressed the situation at Toyota Philippines at the biennial national conference of the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union in Sydney. The 100 delegates to the conference cheered the address of Virgilio Colandog, member of the TMPCWA board of directors.<br /><br />"The AMWU has a good collective agreement with Toyota but our members are concerned that the company must respect ILO standards wherever they invest. The anti-worker laws in Australia provide opportunities for companies to also attack our hard won rights. The workers must be reinstated and the union recognised," Roe said.<br /><br />Roe announced that the AMWU would give AUS$2,000 (US$1,500) to help support TMPCWA efforts. Amicus, the Canadian Autoworkers Union, CWA and the New Zealand EPMU, pledged to match the AMWU, and an additional $750 was collected from conference delegates.<br /><br />Delegates resolved to support solidarity actions and further fundraising in support of the Toyota workers. <br /><br />"This is an important struggle not only for Filipino workers at Toyota, but metalworkers around the world who repeatedly face company intimidation, government intervention, and gross violations of fundamental workers' rights," said Marcello Malentacchi.<br /><br />Several Filipino born AMWU delegates at the conference supported Virgilio, including one from the large Toyota plant in Melbourne. There are more than 150 AMWU members of Filipino background at the Melbourne plant. Virgilio will hold special meetings with Toyota workers in New South Wales and Victoria later this week. Toyota workers in Australia will continue to pressure Toyota to respect workers rights in the Philippines. <br /><br />The IMF and its affiliates have launched an international campaign calling for the immediate reinstatement of the TMPCWA workers illegally fired by Toyota. <br /><br />Read more about the campaign to <a href="../main/index.cfm?id=47&amp;l=2&amp;cid=13914">Reinstate Them Now!</a>

Unions pledge solidarity and resources to Toyota Philippines workers fighting for reinstatement.

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