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12 August, 2005ICEM news release No. 04/2003
M ARLBORO, Mass., March 24-- At a news conference held here this morning, trade unionists and political leaders from France joined U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), U.S. Representative James McGovern (D-Mass.) and the mayors from Worcester and Marlboro, Mass. in calling on the management of Saint Gobain, a multinational company based in Paris, to bargain a fair contract with the UAW-represented workforce at Saint Gobain's abrasives factory in Worcester.
"We believe the company should show the union here the same respect they show us in France," commented Michel Decayeux, General Secretary of the Fedechimie CGT-FO union and Chairman of the Materials Section of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM).
In addition to Decayeux, the delegation from France included: Bernard Soulage, National Secretary for Economic Affairs of the French Socialist Party; Thierry Soret, Coordinator of International Programs of the French Socialist Party; and Patrick Mazeau, National Officer for European and International Affairs of Federation Chimie Energie CFDT. Both French unions represent workers in the chemicals, oil and glass industries, including workers employed by Saint-Gobain in France.
U.S. Senator John F. Kerry said the company's stalling needs to come to an end.
"Saint Gobain management should identify where the decision makers are for these talks. Whether it is in Paris, at Saint Gobain North American headquarters in Pennsylvania or here in Massachusetts, they should come to the table prepare to negotiate in good faith until an agreement is reached," said Kerry. "This company resisted the effort of their workers to unionize, but they lost. They should quit resisting now by stalling in these negotiations. These workers are not against this company and their proposals are not unreasonable."
Asked whether they would meet with company officials, Patrick Mazeau, National Officer for European and International Affairs of Federation Chimie Energie CFDT, said that the company had offered to meet, but with the condition that UAW representatives would be excluded.
"That is unacceptable," said Mazeau, who pledged the French union officials' ongoing support for the UAW when they return to France.
Philip Wheeler, who directs UAW Region 9-A, which includes Massachusetts, said the support of international and national political and labor leaders, and local religious and community activists showed a strong sense of solidarity as contract negotiations move ahead.
"International solidarity isn't just a slogan. This delegation from France represents real cooperation in the struggle to win justice for our members at Saint Gobain here in Massachusetts. The tension at this time between the governments of our two countries over matters of foreign policy makes the expression of global trade union solidarity represented by your trip here all the more significant, said Wheeler. "We also greatly appreciate the support of Senator Kerry, Representative McGovern and the other Massachusetts officials including Senator Kennedy who have signed a letter a letter to the company."
Rep. McGovern released to the press today a letter to Saint-Gobain from the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation, urging management "to ensure that a fair and just agreement can be negotiated with the union as soon as possible." Rep. McGovern also released a letter from U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) to Saint-Gobain, stating, "The right of workers to form or join a union is an essential part of respect for democracy and basic human rights. The employees at the Worcester facility have made their will clear." Kennedy urged the company to "reach a prompt and amicable resolution" of the contract negotiations with the UAW.
On Sunday, the French delegation met with Saint Gobain UAW members, spoke at a community rally and joined a march of several hundred to the Saint Gobain factory in Worcester. More than 350 union members, community activists, and religious and labor leaders attended the community rally and march.
"We believe the company should show the union here the same respect they show us in France," commented Michel Decayeux, General Secretary of the Fedechimie CGT-FO union and Chairman of the Materials Section of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM).
In addition to Decayeux, the delegation from France included: Bernard Soulage, National Secretary for Economic Affairs of the French Socialist Party; Thierry Soret, Coordinator of International Programs of the French Socialist Party; and Patrick Mazeau, National Officer for European and International Affairs of Federation Chimie Energie CFDT. Both French unions represent workers in the chemicals, oil and glass industries, including workers employed by Saint-Gobain in France.
U.S. Senator John F. Kerry said the company's stalling needs to come to an end.
"Saint Gobain management should identify where the decision makers are for these talks. Whether it is in Paris, at Saint Gobain North American headquarters in Pennsylvania or here in Massachusetts, they should come to the table prepare to negotiate in good faith until an agreement is reached," said Kerry. "This company resisted the effort of their workers to unionize, but they lost. They should quit resisting now by stalling in these negotiations. These workers are not against this company and their proposals are not unreasonable."
Asked whether they would meet with company officials, Patrick Mazeau, National Officer for European and International Affairs of Federation Chimie Energie CFDT, said that the company had offered to meet, but with the condition that UAW representatives would be excluded.
"That is unacceptable," said Mazeau, who pledged the French union officials' ongoing support for the UAW when they return to France.
Philip Wheeler, who directs UAW Region 9-A, which includes Massachusetts, said the support of international and national political and labor leaders, and local religious and community activists showed a strong sense of solidarity as contract negotiations move ahead.
"International solidarity isn't just a slogan. This delegation from France represents real cooperation in the struggle to win justice for our members at Saint Gobain here in Massachusetts. The tension at this time between the governments of our two countries over matters of foreign policy makes the expression of global trade union solidarity represented by your trip here all the more significant, said Wheeler. "We also greatly appreciate the support of Senator Kerry, Representative McGovern and the other Massachusetts officials including Senator Kennedy who have signed a letter a letter to the company."
Rep. McGovern released to the press today a letter to Saint-Gobain from the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation, urging management "to ensure that a fair and just agreement can be negotiated with the union as soon as possible." Rep. McGovern also released a letter from U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) to Saint-Gobain, stating, "The right of workers to form or join a union is an essential part of respect for democracy and basic human rights. The employees at the Worcester facility have made their will clear." Kennedy urged the company to "reach a prompt and amicable resolution" of the contract negotiations with the UAW.
On Sunday, the French delegation met with Saint Gobain UAW members, spoke at a community rally and joined a march of several hundred to the Saint Gobain factory in Worcester. More than 350 union members, community activists, and religious and labor leaders attended the community rally and march.