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14 March, 2001The IMF-affiliated USWA held an international conference to discuss the current situation in the aluminium industry and the strengthening of international trade union ties.
USA: Addressing the United Steelworkers of America international aluminium conference last week in Las Vegas, Nevada, Leo Gerard, the USWA's new president, commented on the increasing globalisation of the aluminium industry, with its wave of mergers and takeovers, but said that in comparison with other industries, the aluminium industry was much less concentrated. However, with increasing consolidation, warned Gerard, competition will also be on the rise, and "our role is to prevent these multinationals playing off one group of workers against another." He recalled the example of international solidarity during the Ravenswood/Marc Rich dispute. With the help of trade unions worldwide, global alliances could be built to force MNCs to negotiate with their workers and treat them with respect and dignity.
Gerard would like to see the setting up of a special department for global affairs and international bargaining which would help establish an ongoing system of worldwide trade union relations, not just for aluminium but for every sector. Bridges had to be built. "Our best chance for survival is to stand together," he said.
Among other speakers at the conference, Marcello Malentacchi, IMF general secretary, underlined the fact that global aluminium consumption was increasing faster than that of any other metal and, consequently, the long-term prospects for employment were quite good. The process of economic globalisation and consolidation, however, would evitably bring with it restructuring and to cope with it trade unions had to develop the necessary structures to facilitate the necessary international solidarity and cooperation. The IMF and its affiliates, through a series of IMF action programmes, had been looking for the key to effective trade union action at international level. Some of the more important developments had been the creation of IMF World Company Councils among some major MNCs and the adoption of a model Code of Conduct for MNCs.
Len Powell, IMF director for health and safety, drew delegates' attention to the extremely serious consequences arising from exposure to radioactive contaminated scrap. While tonnages of radioactive non-ferrous metal scrap were much less than those of steel, increased amounts would soon be coming onto the scrap metal market. Necessary precautions had to be taken to avoid any risk of exposure, and this meant in effect the adoption of a zero-exposure policy. To assist workers in the aluminium industry to develop both an awareness of health and safety problems in the workplace as well as the required health and safety programmes, the conference suggested that the IMF produce a booklet for this industry.
Attending the conference were over 200 delegates from the USA and Canada, plus representatives from the IMF and its affiliated unions in Australia, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, Russia, Ghana and South Africa, and non-unionised participants from an Alcoa-subsidiary in Mexico.
Click on the associated links for further information on the conference.
Gerard would like to see the setting up of a special department for global affairs and international bargaining which would help establish an ongoing system of worldwide trade union relations, not just for aluminium but for every sector. Bridges had to be built. "Our best chance for survival is to stand together," he said.
Among other speakers at the conference, Marcello Malentacchi, IMF general secretary, underlined the fact that global aluminium consumption was increasing faster than that of any other metal and, consequently, the long-term prospects for employment were quite good. The process of economic globalisation and consolidation, however, would evitably bring with it restructuring and to cope with it trade unions had to develop the necessary structures to facilitate the necessary international solidarity and cooperation. The IMF and its affiliates, through a series of IMF action programmes, had been looking for the key to effective trade union action at international level. Some of the more important developments had been the creation of IMF World Company Councils among some major MNCs and the adoption of a model Code of Conduct for MNCs.
Len Powell, IMF director for health and safety, drew delegates' attention to the extremely serious consequences arising from exposure to radioactive contaminated scrap. While tonnages of radioactive non-ferrous metal scrap were much less than those of steel, increased amounts would soon be coming onto the scrap metal market. Necessary precautions had to be taken to avoid any risk of exposure, and this meant in effect the adoption of a zero-exposure policy. To assist workers in the aluminium industry to develop both an awareness of health and safety problems in the workplace as well as the required health and safety programmes, the conference suggested that the IMF produce a booklet for this industry.
Attending the conference were over 200 delegates from the USA and Canada, plus representatives from the IMF and its affiliated unions in Australia, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, Russia, Ghana and South Africa, and non-unionised participants from an Alcoa-subsidiary in Mexico.
Click on the associated links for further information on the conference.