Read this article in:
15 March, 2000With upcoming U.S. negotiations at GE, meeting demonstrates international solidarity with U.S. workers.
GENEVA/USA: The International Metalworkers' Federation is holding the largest-ever meeting of the IMF-GE World Council, in Washington, D.C. on March 22-23, 2000, thus bringing together delegates from 25 member unions worldwide organising workers in General Electric Company. Over 120 participants from 17 countries will deliberate such priority issues as the impact of GE's globalisation strategy on workers, GE's labour relations worldwide, union organising and recognition, a GE workers' action plan and a Code of Conduct. AFL-CIO president, John Sweeney, will address delegates on the first day, and a press conference will also be held.
One of the key items on the meeting's agenda will be a general overview of the Coordinated Bargaining Committee of GE Unions (CBC) by its chairman, Ed Fire, who will also present the issues for upcoming negotiations with GE management. The CBC, which groups 14 American unions representing 37,000 GE workers, negotiates collectively with GE management and is developing a database of the company's presence worldwide. (For additional CBC information, access their website on www.cbcunions.org)
As GE contracts expire at the end of June 2000, the IMF general secretary, Marcello Malentacchi, says that the Washington meeting has been organised "with a view to supporting our U.S. colleagues in their bargaining negotiations." International solidarity and communication are essential if GE unions are to strengthen unity worldwide, and thus meet the challenge of GE's globalisation.
In related information concerning this meeting, the IMF has just learned that Sazali bin Dahlan, who works at the GE Motors & Industrial Systems plant in Malaysia, has finally been granted leave by the company to attend this meeting. When he was first nominated by his union, the EIWU, as their delegate, management refused to let him go, saying the union was not recognised. The IMF and U.S. unions, however, intervened with GE's president, Jack Welch, urging him to instruct GE management in Malaysia to allow Dahlen to make the trip to Washington.
One of the key items on the meeting's agenda will be a general overview of the Coordinated Bargaining Committee of GE Unions (CBC) by its chairman, Ed Fire, who will also present the issues for upcoming negotiations with GE management. The CBC, which groups 14 American unions representing 37,000 GE workers, negotiates collectively with GE management and is developing a database of the company's presence worldwide. (For additional CBC information, access their website on www.cbcunions.org)
As GE contracts expire at the end of June 2000, the IMF general secretary, Marcello Malentacchi, says that the Washington meeting has been organised "with a view to supporting our U.S. colleagues in their bargaining negotiations." International solidarity and communication are essential if GE unions are to strengthen unity worldwide, and thus meet the challenge of GE's globalisation.
In related information concerning this meeting, the IMF has just learned that Sazali bin Dahlan, who works at the GE Motors & Industrial Systems plant in Malaysia, has finally been granted leave by the company to attend this meeting. When he was first nominated by his union, the EIWU, as their delegate, management refused to let him go, saying the union was not recognised. The IMF and U.S. unions, however, intervened with GE's president, Jack Welch, urging him to instruct GE management in Malaysia to allow Dahlen to make the trip to Washington.