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14 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 35/2004
A lingering labour dispute in Argentina with Bridgestone/Firestone has caused the ICEM to seek immediate assistance from global trade unions. The 20-million-member global union federation is asking affiliates and others to use 16-17 July as Days of Protest against the Japanese tyremaker's roughshod manner regarding Argentine labour law and rubber workers at a factory near Buenos Aires.
In a mass circular, ICEM is asking supporters of labour rights to write letters of protest to Japanese embassies or missions in their respective countries, and to protest at Bridgestone/Firestone factories and other commercial sites on either 16 or 17 July. (List of Japanese missions attached to electronic version of this release.)
The labour dispute is at a factory in Llavallol, Pcia, Buenos Aires. Bridgestone management circumvented its legal obligations under Argentina's labour code by refusing to bargain with ICEM affiliate Sindicato Unico de Trabajadores del Neumático Argentina (SUTNA) when the company imposed new work rules last year. Some 90 workers at the 700-worker plant were summarily dismissed. The collective agreement contained a stability clause preventing any workforce reduction without first negotiating with SUTNA.
In the last quarter of 2003, the Labour Ministry for the state of Buenos Aires ordered the workers reinstated with backpay, but Bridgestone refused to obey that order. In February 2004, the National Minister of Labour harshly condemned the company's actions, and reaffirmed the order to abide by the labour agreement, recognise industrial relations policy of Argentina and to reinstate the workers. Bridgestone/Firestone again failed to comply.
ICEM has written to Bridgestone managers in North America that oversee South American operations asking for clarification and adherence but that also was ignored.
In the meantime, a dispute with the company is brewing in North America. ICEM affiliate United Steelworkers of America has been without a labour agreement since March 2003 for 6,000 Bridgestone workers at ten tyre plants in the US.
The ICEM is asking affiliates and other sympathizers to stress the fact that the Japanese firm is ignoring Argentine labour law regarding its unilateral downsizing in Argentina. The ICEM further asks unions to handbill their letters of protest to workers at Bridgestone/Firestone plants and commercial sites across the world. The company maintains production operations in Thailand, Indonesia, France, Italy, Spain, US, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
In a mass circular, ICEM is asking supporters of labour rights to write letters of protest to Japanese embassies or missions in their respective countries, and to protest at Bridgestone/Firestone factories and other commercial sites on either 16 or 17 July. (List of Japanese missions attached to electronic version of this release.)
The labour dispute is at a factory in Llavallol, Pcia, Buenos Aires. Bridgestone management circumvented its legal obligations under Argentina's labour code by refusing to bargain with ICEM affiliate Sindicato Unico de Trabajadores del Neumático Argentina (SUTNA) when the company imposed new work rules last year. Some 90 workers at the 700-worker plant were summarily dismissed. The collective agreement contained a stability clause preventing any workforce reduction without first negotiating with SUTNA.
In the last quarter of 2003, the Labour Ministry for the state of Buenos Aires ordered the workers reinstated with backpay, but Bridgestone refused to obey that order. In February 2004, the National Minister of Labour harshly condemned the company's actions, and reaffirmed the order to abide by the labour agreement, recognise industrial relations policy of Argentina and to reinstate the workers. Bridgestone/Firestone again failed to comply.
ICEM has written to Bridgestone managers in North America that oversee South American operations asking for clarification and adherence but that also was ignored.
In the meantime, a dispute with the company is brewing in North America. ICEM affiliate United Steelworkers of America has been without a labour agreement since March 2003 for 6,000 Bridgestone workers at ten tyre plants in the US.
The ICEM is asking affiliates and other sympathizers to stress the fact that the Japanese firm is ignoring Argentine labour law regarding its unilateral downsizing in Argentina. The ICEM further asks unions to handbill their letters of protest to workers at Bridgestone/Firestone plants and commercial sites across the world. The company maintains production operations in Thailand, Indonesia, France, Italy, Spain, US, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.