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3 June, 2009
Sappi: pulp & paper/pâte et de papier/pulp y papel
Urgent Alert, Sappi/South Africa: Voice Opposition, Support CEPPWAWU
ICEM is calling for immediate action to a union-smashing affront by Sappi at its Enstra mill in Springs, South Africa. Sappi suspended 19 shop stewards and 23 other workers due to their union affiliation with Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood, and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU), a longtime ICEM affiliate.
Starting on 6 May, SAPPI systematically and maliciously began taking disciplinary actions against CEPPWAWU leaders inside the 650-worker Enstra sulfate pulp and printing papers mill. The allegations: inciting workers (90% of whom are CEPPWAWU members), harassment, and use of company property for union purposes. At a 28 May meeting, SAPPI said it would start disciplinary hearings on them, hearings that will be one-sided and unfair. The ICEM urges that messages get sent and that this posting gets wide attention: union bashing will not be tolerated in South Africa!
ICEM finds it reprehensible that SAPPI refuses meeting participation by CEPPWAWU’s National Coordinator for Sappi branches, and called it “a blight on Sappi everywhere,” in a letter to SAPPI house in South Africa. The ICEM calls it a blatant violation of basic trade union rights and this union-bashing merits immediate condemnation. Respond!
Take the message below, and send to Enstra manager Dave Glazebrook at [email protected] and [email protected], [email protected], and then pass it to others to do the same:
Sappi: Hands Off Union at Enstra.
NO!!! … Union Bashing in South Africa!
No … no suspending Union Rights in South Africa! This is malicious, anti-democratic, and anti-people … there is no room for it in economic recovery. Sappi cannot afford disrepute now or ever in its paper businesses. Reinstate the workers’ representatives and others at Enstra Now. These trade union members have been incriminated because they represent Sappi’s biggest trade union in South Africa. It is deplorable labour-relations and employment conduct … and a cancer inside South Africa. Trade union rights at Enstra – anywhere at Sappi … Europe, North America, or in South Africa – are guaranteed and will never be denied!
Please send solidarity messages to CEPPWAWU: [email protected]