ICEM Welcomes Liberia's Certification of Legitimate Firestone Union

The Global Union Federation ICEM today commends the Liberian Supreme Court's 21 December to certify the Firestone Agriculture Workers' Union of Liberia (FAWUL) as bargaining representative for workers at Firestone Rubber Plantation in Harbel. ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda called the decision start to "ardent reconciliation that will finally give workers the fairness and equity they deserve."

The ICEM agrees with a statement on the Supreme Court's decision issued by the US-based United Steelworkers (USW), a union that has supported plantation workers at Firestone in organising their democratic and responsive Labour Union. "The legal decision in favor of FAWUL signals a new day in Liberia," said USW President Leo Gerard and International Vice President Fred Redmond. The ICEM also joins the USW in calling on Bridgestone/Firestone management to begin earnest engagement with FAWUL in collective negotiations.

In early July, a sizeable majority of some 5,000 plantation workers voted for FAWUL, which is now an ICEM affiliate. Liberia's Labour Ministry supervised the election, and a Special Elections Committee monitored the balloting.

On 10 December, after delays in certifying FAWUL, ICEM's Warda wrote Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: "In the name of Free Trade Unions worldwide, we call on you to use your influence inside the Liberian government to recognise the legitimacy of the Firestone Agriculture Workers' Union. We insist that you certify the elected leaders of FAWUL, and ensure that local management at the Firestone plantation engages in full and meaningful collective negotiations with this union."

The ICEM welcomes the 21 December Supreme Court decision in Liberia, and, together with the USW and other worldwide unions, will continue to stand with the USW in aiding and assisting the FAWUL.