30 May, 1999This is the first time ILO standards have been the subject of a shareholder resolution.

30 May, 1999The merger was approved in mid-April.

27 May, 1999EUROPEAN UNION: The Technical Committee of the European Union voted, on May 4, to ban chrysotile, or white asbestos, throughout the entire European Union.

16 September, 1999After two days of round-the-clock negotiations, the IMF-affiliated United Autoworkers (UAW) and DaimlerChrysler have reached a tentative agreement.

15 September, 1999A new free trade agreement must include the ILO's core labour standards.

15 September, 1999The World Trade Organisation (WTO) must listen to the trade unions in Seattle, says IMF General Secretary Marcello Malentacchi.

14 September, 1999The German metalworkers' union appears to be heading for a confrontation with German Chancellor and SPD Chairman Gerhard Schröder.

14 September, 1999Juan Olaskoaga, former General Secretary of the Basque country metalworkers' union, has died.

7 September, 1999The international trade union movement calls on governments to start talks on new global links in Seattle.

6 September, 1999Three-day discussions will cover the IMF's Model Code of Conduct, the Euro's impact on metal industries, as well as restructuring at SKF.