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23 September, 2001Stressing the importance of the union election on October 3, the IMF is urging all affiliates - and shopfloor members - to write messages of solidarity to the UAW.
USA/GLOBAL: With the all-important union election coming up on October 3, 2001, at the Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, the International Metalworkers' Federation has written to all its affiliates urging them and their shopfloor members to send messages of solidarity to the United Auto Workers' union, which hopes to win a majority of the votes and recognition at the plant. U.S. labour law requires at least 50 per cent plus 1 of the workers in a plant to vote in favour of a union before it can be recognised as the workers' representative.
For some years now, the UAW has been fighting to win recognition in large transnational companies (TNCs) which have set up shop in so-called "right-to-work" states like Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina. "A right-to-work state is not what it appears to be," explains Malentacchi. "It gives, in effect, a company the right to hire and fire almost at will. It also gives the company the right to hire scabs to break a legitimate strike."
Stressing the great significance of winning this election, the IMF general secretary says the UAW needs international support. "It is fundamental that the TNCs involved facilitate the fairness of such an election. There must be no interference by the company, either to threaten or otherwise discourage workers from joining the union. It is well known in the U.S. South that many companies use union-busting firms to stop union recognition."
The IMF is urging all trade unions at Nissan as well as French carmaker Renault - which with 36.8 per cent of the shares is the largest shareholder in Nissan - to put pressure on management to ensure that Nissan USA keeps out of the election process and allows the UAW to conduct its campaign without interference.
To show its support with the UAW, the IMF general secretary will be in Smyrna, Tennessee in the days leading up to the election. Send your own message of solidarity to:
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (1/202) 223-6913
For some years now, the UAW has been fighting to win recognition in large transnational companies (TNCs) which have set up shop in so-called "right-to-work" states like Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina. "A right-to-work state is not what it appears to be," explains Malentacchi. "It gives, in effect, a company the right to hire and fire almost at will. It also gives the company the right to hire scabs to break a legitimate strike."
Stressing the great significance of winning this election, the IMF general secretary says the UAW needs international support. "It is fundamental that the TNCs involved facilitate the fairness of such an election. There must be no interference by the company, either to threaten or otherwise discourage workers from joining the union. It is well known in the U.S. South that many companies use union-busting firms to stop union recognition."
The IMF is urging all trade unions at Nissan as well as French carmaker Renault - which with 36.8 per cent of the shares is the largest shareholder in Nissan - to put pressure on management to ensure that Nissan USA keeps out of the election process and allows the UAW to conduct its campaign without interference.
To show its support with the UAW, the IMF general secretary will be in Smyrna, Tennessee in the days leading up to the election. Send your own message of solidarity to:
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (1/202) 223-6913