Colombian mine contractor convicted of murder14 February, 2013Following the murders of two union leaders in Colombia in 2001, Jaime Blanco, a former contractor for the US-based coal company Drummond Co., was convicted of murder on 25 January 2013 and sentenced to nearly 38 years in prison.
UMWA fights for retirees’ pension and healthcare14 February, 2013The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) is vehemently protesting against Peabody Energy’s attempts to deny pension and health care benefits for about 20,000 retired miners and dependents.
Workers on strike at Cerrejón in Colombia8 February, 2013Workers at Carbones del Cerrejón, represented by their union, Sintracarbón, have begun a strike for improved working conditions. Negotiations failed to reach an agreement and the interim settlement deadline passed without the company making an acceptable offer.
People before profit is the call at Africa’s Mining Indaba7 February, 2013Outside Africa’s annual meeting of mining corporates and senior government officials, activists protested the exclusion of civil society that represent the actual owners of the continent’s huge mineral wealth chanting, “nothing about us without us”.
Carbones de Cerrejón workers vote to go on strike31 January, 2013Carbones de Cerrejón workers in Colombia have voted to go on strike at the beginning of February. Their union, Sintracarbón, is hoping that the company will make a new proposal that will meet workers’ demands and end the dispute that began on 29 November last year.
Chilean miners at Minera Escondida win million peso bonus31 January, 2013Chilean miners will receive an unprecedented bonus of 23 million pesos (US$ 48,665) and a 5 per cent pay rise as part of an early conclusion to negotiations. The miners’ union said it was only right that the company should share its profits with the workers.
Historic win for Rio Tinto workers23 January, 2013Rio Tinto has agreed to resume negotiations with IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the Australian Workers Union (AWU), after Fair Work Australia agreed that the majority of the workers at Bell Bay wanted to collectively bargain for pay and conditions.
Intimidation of leaders during collective bargaining at Carbones del Cerrejón22 January, 2013IndustriALL Global Union has written to the Colombian president to protest at the threats made against the leaders of Sintracarbón trade union, who are negotiating with the company over working conditions.
Unions prepare for Mexico Days of Action17 January, 2013Preparations are continuing for actions around the world marking the 2013 Mexico Days of Action, 18-24 February.
Turkish mining union labels fatal accident “murder”17 January, 2013IndustriALL Global Union-affiliated Turkish mining trade union Genel Maden-Is has condemned the poor safety conditions at the Kozlu mine operated by a sub-contractor company where eight workers were killed on 7 January 2013.
