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Workers at three Canadian plants of pulp and paper multinational Fletcher Challenge have voted by a margin of 59.3 per cent to accept a new collective bargaining agreement. The workers are members of the ICEM-affiliated Communications, Energy and Paperworkers of Canada (CEP) and the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC). The vote ends their nine-month strike, the longest ever in British Columbia's forest products industry. 
 
Some 2,100 workers walked off the job on July 14 last year, protesting over the New Zealand-based company's demands for increased flexible work practices and outsourcing. The strike successfully stopped production for the duration of the dispute, which cost the company millions of dollars and lost customers. 
 
While the company won some of the flexibility it wanted in the settlement, the unions won a key demand that outsourcing be limited and union members get the work that is available. 
 
Union members also will receive an 15.4 per cent pay boost over five years and a signing bonus. Fletcher said the settlement will clear the way for further investment and job creation in British Columbia. 
 
The CEP and PPWC received support and solidarity from the ICEM, the Manufacturing and Construction Workers Union of New Zealand and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union of Australia. The New Zealand and Australian unions are both ICEM affiliates which also represent Fletcher Challenge workers. They had urged the company to settle the strike and were in the process of organising a solidarity tour of Canadian strikers when the settlement was reached. 
 
&quot;A majority have voted in favour of the agreement, but the vote sends a message to the company about the feelings of many members as this dispute ends,&quot; said CEP Vice President Brian Payne. &quot;The company has a long road ahead of it to rebuild a relationship with its employees.&quot; 
 
&quot;This agreement will now be the pattern for the industry,&quot; added PPCW National President Garry Worth. &quot;This agreement has benefits for both workers and the employers, and should be a positive factor for the industry in British Columbia.&quot;

Canadian Fletcher-Challenge Dispute Settled

Trade unions across Russia are to hold a day of protest on 9 April under the slogan Wages! Employment! Legality! A prominent part will be played by affiliates of the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). 
 
Top of the Russian unions' concerns is unpaid wages. The total pay backlog owed to Russian workers has now reached 57 billion new roubles (about 9.5 billion US dollars), unions and Russian TV say. The protesters will also be demanding an increase in the minimum wage and new labour legislation to protect workers' rights. 
 
ICEM-affiliated electric power workers' union Electrounion will be in the thick of the action on 9 April. The union already has confirmation that more than 18,000 members will be taking part in meetings, demonstrations, pickets and negotiations with city administrations in 53 regions of Russia. Workplace meetings are planned by 435 local trade union committees - a number likely to increase by Thursday. 
 
In Moscow, members of Electrounion will be joining a picket in front of the &quot;White House&quot;, the seat of government. Electrounion's action will not be limited to pickets and demonstrations. The ICEM has received reports of major strikes being planned, involving thousands of workers in Dagestan and Buriatia. 
 
Meanwhile, nuclear workers in the Urals have sent an open letter to President Boris Yeltsin, pointing out that his presidential decree on priority funding for nuclear centres and &quot;radiation facilities&quot; has not been implemented. Nuclear workers are preparing to join the day of action. The staff of the Snezhinsk nuclear centre, for example, have not been paid for 3-4 months. They often go to work hungry. 
 
As the action inside Russia mounts, the ICEM is further stepping up its &quot;cybercampaign&quot; in support of Russia's workers. From special pages on the ICEM website, supporters worldwide can get news on the action as it is received, plus a full range of hyperlinks for actively backing the Russian workers' campaign.

Russians&#039; Pay Protest Set For 9 April

The 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) has sent its deepest condolences to the bereaved families of Ukrainian miners killed in Saturday's disaster. At the same time, the International again calls attention to the &quot;unacceptable&quot; conditions in Ukrainian mines and emphasises the need for strict mining safety regulations workdwide. 
 
Following is the full text of today's message from ICEM General Secretary Vic Thorpe to the ICEM-affiliated Miners' Independent Trade Union of Ukraine: 
 
We have heard news of the tragic disaster at the &quot;Skachinskoho&quot; coal mine in the city of Donetsk, where a methane gas explosion has resulted in the deaths of at least 63 mineworkers. Nothing can compensate for their irreparable loss. Please pass on the deepest sympathy and condolences of all our members to the families and comrades who have been thus bereaved. Another 45 injured mineworkers are in hospital. We send our earnest wishes for their full and early recovery. 
 
We hope that the Commission of Inquiry, which has been set up and includes union officials, will discover the causes of this accident and the means of prevention of such occurrences in future. In the interests of miners everywhere, this full inquiry should contribute to develop and further improve the safety of all mines in Ukraine. 
 
Ukraine's mining industry is undergoing a major restructuring programme under pressure from the International Monetary Fund. Shortage of funds for maintenance, modernisation and replacement of safety equipment does nothing to improve the poor safety conditions in Ukraine's mines. 
 
The International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) has repeatedly denounced the fact that mineworkers in Ukraine see themselves condemned to accept a trade-off between paid wages or safe working conditions. ICEM has also drawn attention to Ukraine's unacceptable high record of mine accidents, which resulted in 290 mineworkers killed last year and over 160 miners killed so far this year. Health and safety aspects must be an integral part of any restructuring programme and be treated with highest priority. The life of a mineworker is not just a variable in a cost-benefit analysis! 
 
This terrible disaster further underlines the pressing need for a rapid ratification and full application worldwide of the ILO Convention No. 176 on Health and Safety in Mines, adopted at the eighty second International Labour Conference 1995. 
 
[end of message] 
 
The world's governments, employers and unions are represented within the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO), which adopts and monitors international standards on a wide range of labour issues. Its Convention No. 176, adopted after a major trade union campaign, sets standards for mining safety practice worldwide. The ICEM and its affiliated unions have been pressing all national governments to ratify and fully implement the Convention.

Ukraine Mine Disaster: World Unions Highlight &quot;Unacceptable&quot; Accident Levels

Power workers' leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region have condemned the dismissal of Korean electricity workers. 
 
Marching to the Korean embassy in Bangkok this Monday, electricity unions also demanded the &quot;immediate and unconditional release&quot; of union leaders now being held in South Korea's prisons. 
 
A protest message over the jailings and sackings was unanimously passed by the Asia-Pacific Regional Network Meeting for the Electric Power Industry, held in Bangkok on 15-16 June by the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Taking part were power union leaders from Thailand, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Nepal, Vietnam, Fiji, Australia, India and Korea. 
 
438 Korean electricity workers were sacked this March for staging a strike against a unilaterally imposed plan to privatise the power industry. A number of their union leaders were subsequently arrested. 
 
The Bangkok meeting condemned the Korean government for keeping trade unionists in prison despite an international campaign for their release. The Asia-Pacific labour leaders urged the Korean government to enter into &quot;meaningful dialogue&quot; with the unions. They also vowed to keep up the international protests until the Korean union leaders are freed. 
 
Leading the embassy demo were the ICEM-affiliated Thai EGAT power workers' union and Bangkok's Metropolitan Electricity Authority union. A petition was handed to the embassy's First Secretary by union representatives, including ICEM Energy and Mines Officer Gino Govender. 
 
The mood became angry when the First Secretary described the jailed Korean trade unionists as &quot;criminals&quot;. But he subsequently agreed to pass the protest message on to his government.

Release Jailed Koreans, Asian Power Unions Demand

A big mechanical excavator cruised genteel St. James's Square in London this morning. Dangling from the scoop was a giant banner: Rio Tinto Dumps On Human Rights. 
 
Looking on to the square is the global headquarters of Rio Tinto, the world's biggest mining company. 
 
 

<img height="255" alt="" src="" width="380" />
GLOBAL DEMO 
(Almost) simultaneous union protests outside Rio Tinto's offices in London (above) and Melbourne. 
This was not the first digger to spoil Rio Tinto's day. Just hours earlier, in a coordinated global protest, Australian miners and their allies had demonstrated outside the company's offices in Melbourne (see ICEM News release 26/1998). 
 
Rio Tinto's anti-union stance in many parts of the world has sparked a global trade union campaign, coordinated by the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). 
 
 

<img height="251" alt="" src="" width="380" />
 
Allied with the ICEM and its affiliated unions worldwide on this issue are a wide range of campaigning organisations on environmental issues and human rights, notably worker rights and indigenous people's rights. Rio Tinto is currently under heavy fire on all these counts. 
 
Leading the protesters in London this morning was ICEM British Vice-President Fred Higgs, who is National Officer of ICEM British affiliate the Transport and General Workers' Union. 
 
&quot;This is one more step in our campaign to turn Rio Tinto into a decent citizen,&quot; Higgs emphasised. &quot;It is simply unacceptable that a multinational based in this country should trample on people's rights worldwide. Our ICEM is a global union federation dedicated to practical global solidarity. We are determined to bring Rio Tinto to book.&quot; 
Higgs declared the unions' support for a motion tabled in the British House of Commons last week. 29 British parliamentarians signed up to the motion, which strongly condemned Rio Tinto and called on shareholders to ensure that the multinational mends its ways (for the full text of the motion, see ICEM UPDATE 24/1998). One feature of the global campaign is the tabling of parliamentary questions about Rio Tinto in countries where it has a presence. 
 
During the demo, Higgs received a call on his mobile from the ICEM's Australian Vice-President, John Maitland of the mining and allied workers' union CFMEU. Maitland outlined the successful Melbourne event, and Higgs assured him of full solidarity at the British end. 
 
Also taking part in the London demo today were Maureen Rooney, National Secretary of the ICEM-affiliated Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union, and ICEM Mines Officer Damien Roland. 
 
Rio Tinto locked its front door when the demonstration began, and its staff had to enter the building at the back. But the union demonstrators were also outside the back entrance. 
 
Why Does Rio Tinto Riot Into People's Rights? asked leaflets handed to the multinational's headquarters staff, to watching journalists and to passers-by. The handbills went on to list just some of tainted Tinto's misdeeds - and to contrast these with the rosy picture in the company's new annual report. 
 
The protesters then went back round and knocked on the front door. It was opened just long enough for an unusually publicity-shy Rio Tinto to accept a few copies of the protest leaflet.

Diggers Of The World Unite As Rio Tinto Protests Grow

Measures to cut unemployment benefits have been brought in by Spain's centre-right government. The legislative changes would also make it easier and cheaper to fire workers. Spanish unions have announced a general strike against these moves. 

<img height="286" alt="" src="" width="200" />
The Spanish crisis has international implications at a time when globalisation is being invoked as a pretext for social cuts. Scheduled for 20 June, the Spanish general strike has received the full support of the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). 
 
Acting on a unanimous decision by the international's Executive, ICEM General Secreteary Fred Higgs has written to the Spanish union confederations CC.OO. and UGT to declare &quot;full solidarity with your general strike and its aims&quot;. Copies of the letter have gone to ICEM-affiliated Spanish industrial unions. 
 
&quot;That the Spanish government should be taking such retrograde steps at all is a cause for deep concern,&quot; Higgs writes. &quot;That it should be doing so during the Spanish Presidency of the European Union is an ominous sign that workers' rights are under threat throughout Europe and beyond. The EU, once a bastion of social partnership, now seems to have fallen for the wrongheaded argument that social demolition is good for economic growth.&quot; 
 
Quite the reverse is true, Higgs points out. &quot;In Spain, in Europe and worldwide, lasting growth depends on secure, high-quality jobs, on social justice, on proper investment in skills, innovation, education, infrastructure, health and environmental protection and, last but not least, on full respect for human rights, including trade union rights.&quot; 
 
The declared aims of the Spanish general strike on 20 June are: 
 
- No cuts in unemployment benefits and no measures that would make dismissals easier and cheaper 
 
- Better unemployment coverage 
 
- Full, high-quality employment that is secure and respects workers' rights 
 
- High-quality education for all 
 
- A social model that combines growth with social cohesion. 
 
Consumer groups are also backing the protest. Shoppers should make 20 June a purchase-free day, says Andalusian consumers' federation FACUA. 
 
Take Part as a Worker, Take Part as a Consumer, FACUA advises. 
 
<a href="/index.php?id=22&amp;la=ES&amp;doc=1235">Read the support letter by the ICEM to CCOO and UGT 
(in Spanish)</a>

Spanish General Strike Gains World Union Support

A full investigation into the persecution and assassination of Colombian trade unionists was demanded today by the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). 
 
Following is the full text of the resolution adopted unanimously by the ICEM Executive Committee, meeting in Brussels: 
 
The ICEM Executive Committee, at its meeting on 6-7 June 2002, expresses its profound disappointment at the lack of progress in dealing with the human rights tragedy in Colombia. 
 
This Executive calls for an urgent response to our request to have a joint trade union and UN Human Rights Commission delegation visit Colombia to specifically investigate the persecution and assassination of trade unionists and to develop recommendations for a long-term solution to the problem. 
 
The Executive calls for the immediate implementation of the protection measures determined by the Interamerican Commission and calls on all affiliates to register their protest at the Colombian Embassy in their respective countries.

Halt Colombian Killings, World Unions Demand

The Middle East conflict is having a &quot;devastating effect on workers and their families in both Palestine and Israel&quot;, the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) said today. It called for an immediate end to the violence. 
 
Following is the full text of the resolution adopted unanimously by the ICEM Executive Committee, meeting in Brussels: 
 
The ICEM Executive Committee, at its meeting on 6-7 June 2002, expresses its grave concern over the continuing conflict and violence in the Palestinian Territories and Israel, which is having a devastating effect on workers and their families in both Palestine and Israel. 
 
The Executive condemns Prime Minister Sharon and his government for its acts of aggression and for its invasion of the Palestinian Territories as well as for the refusal to immediately comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution No.1402 which called for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. 
 
The Executive condemns acts of terrorism. 
 
The Executive appeals to the Palestinian People to refrain from any acts of violence, which will only delay a peacefully negotiated settlement. 
 
The Executive calls on the United States, the European Union and other Governments to use their political and economic influence to get a return to sensible negotiations, which will bring about lasting peace and the establishment of a Palestinian State.

Middle East Violence &#039;Devastating&#039; to Workers

Malaysia must release jailed labour activist Tian Chua and other political detainees, the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) urged today. Following is the full text of the resolution adopted unanimously by the ICEM Executive Committee, meeting in Brussels 
 
 

<img height="225" alt="" src="" width="190" />
&nbsp;Jailed without trial: Malaysian labour activist Tian Chua 

The ICEM Executive Committee, at its meeting on 6-7 June 2002, condemns the detention without trial of Malaysian labour activist TIAN CHUA under the Internal Security Act of Malaysia. 
 
We urge the Malaysian Government to release immediately and unconditionally TIAN CHUA and other political detainees who are held under the Internal Security Act. 
 
We urge the Malaysian Government to abolish this draconian legislation and other similar laws which provide for detention without trial. 
 
We urge the Malaysian Government to grant the request of the special representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Human Rights to conduct a fact-finding visit to Malaysia. 
 
We call on the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) to raise the detention of TIAN CHUA at the 90th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva from 9th - 20th June 2002, where the Prime Minister of Malaysia will address the Conference.

Release Labour Activist Tian Chua, Unions Tell Malaysia

A pledge by the Venezuelan government that it will respect trade union rights has been welcomed by the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). 
 
Last Friday, Venezuelan labour minister Mar&iacute;a Cristina Iglesias said she accepted that the country's labour law should be changed so as to lift some current restrictions on trade union freedom. This is in line with recommendations made by a mission from the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO), which visited Venezuela last week. Iglesias also said she would be taking steps to boost employment. 
 
&quot;The Venezuelan government's assurances are to be welcomed,&quot; said ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs today. &quot;However, it must take full and urgent steps to guarantee trade union rights in practice, including full recognition of the country's trade union movement at all levels. Labour rights are essential to democracy in Venezuela - a fact that the ICEM and others emphasised during last month's coup.&quot; 
 
The military putsch on 12 April against the constitutional government of Venezuela was reversed within two days, but it profoundly shocked the nation. 
 
On 12 April, ICEM Regional President Luiz Gonzaga Ulhoa Ten&oacute;rio issued a statement condemning the coup and calling on ICEM-affiliated unions in the region to do likewise, in order to defend the rule of law and human and trade union rights. Gonzaga also urged the UN and the Organisation of American States (OAU) to investigate human rights violations by the putschists, and he insisted that OAU member governments should not recognise the &quot;provisional government&quot; set up by the coup leaders. 
 
Trade unions and other democratic organisations within Venezuela mounted big demonstrations against the coup. By the evening of 14 April, the &quot;provisional government&quot; had been ousted and constitutional rule was restored. 

<ul>
 <li><a href="/index.php?id=26&amp;la=ES&amp;doc=1233">Rese&ntilde;a en Repudio de ICEM Latinoam&eacute;rica y el Caribe al Golpe de Estado en Venezuela - 12 de Abril</a> 
 
 </li>
 <li><a href="/index.php?id=26&amp;la=EN&amp;doc=1233">Statement by ICEM Latin America and the Caribbean condemning the coup in Venezuela - 12 April</a> 
 
 
 
 </li>
</ul>

Venezuelan Union Rights Vital For Democracy

Archive

Canadian Fletcher-Challenge Dispute Settled

Russians' Pay Protest Set For 9 April

Ukraine Mine Disaster: World Unions Highlight "Unacceptable" Accident Levels

Release Jailed Koreans, Asian Power Unions Demand

Diggers Of The World Unite As Rio Tinto Protests Grow

Spanish General Strike Gains World Union Support

Halt Colombian Killings, World Unions Demand

Middle East Violence 'Devastating' to Workers

Release Labour Activist Tian Chua, Unions Tell Malaysia

Venezuelan Union Rights Vital For Democracy

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