30 November, 2011The Executive Committee of the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF), meeting in Brussels on November 23-24, sets down its position on the shipbuildning industry. In a declaration addressed to the European Union Commissioners the EMF calls for an integrated industrial policy for the sector, and for a critical industrial mass of shipbuilding activities in Europe.
29 December, 2011On December 19-20 the two largest Russian union federations held a conference in support of the bill to completely ban agency labour.
23 December, 2011German trade unionists picket GEA headquarters demanding justice for 62 GEA workers in Turkey locked-out since July. It is the 4th action in recent months to demand respect for labour norms by the multinational.
21 December, 2011Although no legally-binding agreement could be reached at COP17, countries officially met one of the industrial workers' demands, the creation of a Green Climate Fund. The workers now need to influence the design of the fund.
20 December, 2011While thousands joined the United Steelworkers (USW) on December 17 at a solidarity rally to support 1,051 locked-out members at Cooper Tire and Rubber since November 28, workers at other Cooper Tire facilities in Europe showed their support.
19 December, 2011Whilst delegates at COP17 agreed to extend the Kyoto Protocol to 2017, at best this protocol, the only legally binding agreement to reduce emissions, is on life support, with Canada being the first to pull the plug.
9 December, 2011On December 6 representatives of the IMF affiliate Mining and Metallurgy Trade Union of Kyrgyzstan (MMTUK), employers and the state signed an industry agreement for 2012-2014.
8 December, 2011Trade union leaders from Australia, India, Great Britain, New Zealand and North America continue to develop their strategy to organize and promote workers rights through a Tata Steel Network. The unions, meeting in Jakarta on December 7, agreed to an action plan that will see increasing cooperation before a Network meeting in 2012.
8 December, 2011The strike against US-based Freeport-McMoRan by the ICEM-affiliated PT Freeport Workers' Union runs into its 11th week. The union plans another notice to extend the strike to January 15, 2012.
8 December, 2011Members of the International Association of Machinists voted on December 8 to accept an agreement with Boeing that includes a firm commitment to future manufacturing in Puget Sound and Portland.