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5 October, 2009
Today, the ICEM stepped up its support for the nearly 600 miners of US Borax, in their struggle to defend their trade union rights and working conditions, against an attack from the Rio Tinto subsidiary.
US Borax, located in Boron, California, is one of the few global suppliers of borates, and has the reserves for nearly 40 years more of production. Workers at the mine are represented by ICEM affiliate International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 30. Workers, through their union, have put forth a list of demands.
On wages, they seek an increase that will redress their loss of earning power over the past five years in which they saw raises that fell below inflation levels. They also seek to eliminate a two-tier wage structure that was put in place five years ago. On pensions, they are defending a defined benefit plan that the company seeks to eliminate, one that was fully funded until the stock market decline.
On sick leave and medical benefits, the company has systematically reduced levels and Local 30 demands a redress of this trend.
The ICEM is urging trade unions and activists to let Rio Tinto know that these miners are not alone in their fight for economic and social justice in this contract period. Please write and fax a letter (using the model found here) to Rio Tinto CEO Tom Albanese, and be sure to send a copy to Willie Adams, Secretary-Treasurer of the ILWU at [email protected].