ArcelorMittal: Together for safety16 August, 2011A new report launched by ArcelorMittal, European Metalworkers' Federation, United Steelworkers, and the International Metalworkers' Federation reviews how unions and management have been working together globally to deliver better safety results for ArcelorMittal. The report called "Together for Safety, Global Agreement, Local Impact", chronicles the work undertaken since signing the Steel industries first ever global agreement on Health and Safety.
Korean metalworkers organize Renault Samsung Motors23 August, 20112000 production workers and 500 white collar and maintenance workers in the factory in Busan in Korea belonging to Renault Samsung Motors decide to join IMF affiliate Korean Metal Workers' Union. The company totals 5650 employees, and has a production capacity of 300,000 vehicles per year.
IMF unions demand fair trade in Trans-Pacific agreement30 August, 2011IMF affiliates from countries in Asia-Pacific and the Americas met in Geneva on August 29 to discuss the ongoing negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. A joint trade union strategy was defined to make the creation of quality jobs and the promotion of fundamental labour standards an explicit goal of the agreement.
New contract with Johnson Controls ratified by CAW31 August, 2011CAW members agreed on a new tentative deal with Johnson Controls just hours before a strike deadline on midnight, August 26.
Unions, students and campesinos demand change in Mexico6 September, 2011On September 1 approximately 100 independent and democratic unions and groups took part in two mass-based actions in Mexico City: the "national day of indignant Mexicans" and a rally outside the lower house of congress.
Maruti Suzuki workers in India end the impasse3 October, 2011After a month long struggle by workers of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), a car manufacturing giant, at Manesar plant, Gurgaon, India an agreement is reached between the management and workers of MSIL Manesar Plant and Maruti Udyog Kamgar Union (MUKU) on September 30, 2011. The IMF congratulates Maruti Suzuki workers and hopes that the management will respect the terms of settlement in its letter and spirit.
Urgent solidarity with Gerdau metalworkers in Colombia6 October, 2011At the end of last week workers of the Gerdau plant in Cota, Colombia decided to form their own union. They made a formal demand to the Minister of Labour and informed Gerdau of their intention to start bargaining a collective agreement. The management responded with hostility.
Unions urge ILO to act on precarious work10 October, 2011Unions from around the world, including IMF affiliates, participated in the ILO Workers' Symposium on Policies and Regulations to Combat Precarious Employment on October 4-7, 2011. The Symposium produced a set of recommendations on measures that the ILO should take to reduce precarious work and improve conditions for precarious workers.
Maruti Suzuki breaks agreement, sparks new strike -- shot fired17 October, 2011Again Maruti Suzuki workers at Manesar went on strike from 4 pm on October 7, demanding reinstatement of contract workers. The strike was triggered by the company's continued lock-out, and physical attacks by hired goons on contract workers. October 9 a shot was fired.
New collective agreement in Swiss watch industry13 October, 2011Thanks to their tenacity and to grass-roots mobilization, the negotiators of UNIA, the Swiss IMF affiliate, have succeeded in thwarting the employers' drive toward flexibility and achieved some gains in social benefits.
