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14 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 38/2003
B ridgestone Corp. has defied the Labour Ministry in Argentina by refusing to reinstate 73 sacked workers at a tyre factory in Buenos Aires. The firm circumvented the union contract of ICEM affiliate Sindicato Unico de Trabejadores del Neumatico Argentina (SUTNA) in order to achieve rationalization over a new shift schedule.
Local managers discharged the 73 workers unilaterally in October. Under Article 13 of the labour agreement, a stability clause exists that prevents any reduction in workforce without the consent of the union. SUTNA had hoped to commence bargaining toward an extension of the agreement, but management has refused to negotiate unless the union first agrees not to discuss the firings.
On 5 December, following a hearing by the ministry, an officer ordered the 73 to be brought back to work with back pay. But when a representative of the ministry together with a SUTNA officer and discharged workers attempted to enter the plant the next day, Bridgestone refused entry.
"We call on senior Bridgestone management in both Japan and in the US, where local management in Argentina reports, to intervene and not only adhere to the ruling of the Labour Ministry, but to bargain in good faith with our affiliate," stated ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs.
"The protocol for the ICEM's Global Union Network of Bridgestone Workers affirms that local problems first should be resolved locally," continued Higgs. "Due to local management's continued intransigence, this dispute must be taken to the international level and the ICEM intends to give it utmost attention."
Members of SUTNA at the Buenos Aires factory did stage a six-day strike in October, which officially brought the dispute before the Labour Ministry. The union is also maintaining pickets at the plant, and has promised more strike action in 2004 if the dispute is not resolved.
SUTNA has issued three demands to resolve the dispute: immediate reinstatement of the 73; good faith negotiations by the company with the intention of gaining an extension to the two-year labour agreement; and for Bridgestone to allow access to union officers of the plant, something that local management has consistently denied.
Local managers discharged the 73 workers unilaterally in October. Under Article 13 of the labour agreement, a stability clause exists that prevents any reduction in workforce without the consent of the union. SUTNA had hoped to commence bargaining toward an extension of the agreement, but management has refused to negotiate unless the union first agrees not to discuss the firings.
On 5 December, following a hearing by the ministry, an officer ordered the 73 to be brought back to work with back pay. But when a representative of the ministry together with a SUTNA officer and discharged workers attempted to enter the plant the next day, Bridgestone refused entry.
"We call on senior Bridgestone management in both Japan and in the US, where local management in Argentina reports, to intervene and not only adhere to the ruling of the Labour Ministry, but to bargain in good faith with our affiliate," stated ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs.
"The protocol for the ICEM's Global Union Network of Bridgestone Workers affirms that local problems first should be resolved locally," continued Higgs. "Due to local management's continued intransigence, this dispute must be taken to the international level and the ICEM intends to give it utmost attention."
Members of SUTNA at the Buenos Aires factory did stage a six-day strike in October, which officially brought the dispute before the Labour Ministry. The union is also maintaining pickets at the plant, and has promised more strike action in 2004 if the dispute is not resolved.
SUTNA has issued three demands to resolve the dispute: immediate reinstatement of the 73; good faith negotiations by the company with the intention of gaining an extension to the two-year labour agreement; and for Bridgestone to allow access to union officers of the plant, something that local management has consistently denied.