Read this article in:
5 April, 2000World trade union leaders will discuss major issues affecting their membership in the steel industry at IMF conference.
GENEVA/USA: Washington, D.C. will be the venue for the International Metalworkers' Federation World Steel Conference taking place on April 10-12, 2000. Principal themes for discussion will revolve around the economic situation and likely developments in the steel industry, steel trade and the inclusion of core labour standards in international trade agreements, globalisation of the steel industry and trade union strategy, obstacles to trade union rights, and occupational health and safety -- with a focus on the dangers arising from radioactive contaminated steel scrap.
Until recently, the steel industry was less affected by the process of economic globalisation. However, in the last 10 years this industry has undergone a major transformation which has led to steel companies expanding beyond their national frontiers. Concentration of ownership is increasing the level of competition in the industry, and thus bringing added pressure to reduce production costs, particularly labour costs.
IMF general secretary, Marcello Malentacchi, comments that "this shift to competition at the international level, which carries with it a far wider range of factors affecting industrial relations, has proved problematic for many trade unions, which are generally organised on a regional or national basis." At the Washington steel conference, the IMF will present a survey carried out among its steel membership to identify the problems the unions are facing and what effective structures and strategies can be developed to cope with them.
This survey forms part of a document prepared for the conference, accessible on the IMF website under publications, from April 10 onwards. It exists in English, German, French and Spanish and can be ordered in the printed version from the IMF.
The World Steel Conference will bring together 160 delegates representing IMF-affiliated unions in 37 countries.
Until recently, the steel industry was less affected by the process of economic globalisation. However, in the last 10 years this industry has undergone a major transformation which has led to steel companies expanding beyond their national frontiers. Concentration of ownership is increasing the level of competition in the industry, and thus bringing added pressure to reduce production costs, particularly labour costs.
IMF general secretary, Marcello Malentacchi, comments that "this shift to competition at the international level, which carries with it a far wider range of factors affecting industrial relations, has proved problematic for many trade unions, which are generally organised on a regional or national basis." At the Washington steel conference, the IMF will present a survey carried out among its steel membership to identify the problems the unions are facing and what effective structures and strategies can be developed to cope with them.
This survey forms part of a document prepared for the conference, accessible on the IMF website under publications, from April 10 onwards. It exists in English, German, French and Spanish and can be ordered in the printed version from the IMF.
The World Steel Conference will bring together 160 delegates representing IMF-affiliated unions in 37 countries.