Maruti Suzuki breaks agreement, sparks new strike -- shot fired17 October, 2011Again Maruti Suzuki workers at Manesar went on strike from 4 pm on October 7, demanding reinstatement of contract workers. The strike was triggered by the company's continued lock-out, and physical attacks by hired goons on contract workers. October 9 a shot was fired.
New collective agreement in Swiss watch industry13 October, 2011Thanks to their tenacity and to grass-roots mobilization, the negotiators of UNIA, the Swiss IMF affiliate, have succeeded in thwarting the employers' drive toward flexibility and achieved some gains in social benefits.
Successful negotiations in German steelworks25 November, 2011Wage increases of 3,8 percent for 75,000 steelworkers, and permanent status for trainees. That is the result of negotiations between IG Metall and employers in the steel sector in the three German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Bremen.
UNI fights protection contracts in Mexico1 December, 2011UNI Global Union has released a video in support of the workers at Atento Mexico fighting for their right to have a democratic and independent trade union.
Bulgarian metalworkers protest cuts2 December, 2011Unions in Bulgaria organized a nationwide protest action on November 30 in response to the government's announced austerity measures. The Government later backed down from pensions cuts.
Job security agreement reached with Boeing8 December, 2011Members of the International Association of Machinists voted on December 8 to accept an agreement with Boeing that includes a firm commitment to future manufacturing in Puget Sound and Portland.
BMW circumvents equal pay rule12 December, 2011IMF's British affiliate Unite has warned car maker BMW that it could face industrial action in 2012 unless it reverses plans to close its pension scheme to new starters and use a legal loop-hole to deny agency staff equal pay.
São Paulo metalworkers win pay rise10 November, 2011The São Paulo city and Mogi das Cruzes metalworkers' union has reached agreement with four employer groups on a pay rise. The São Paulo State Metalworkers' Federation is trying to extend the agreement to all metalworkers in the state.
US unions win vote on bargaining10 November, 2011US unions scored an important victory on October 8 when voters in the state of Ohio in a referendum overwhelmingly rejected a Republican Senate Bill to limit public sector workers' collective bargaining rights.
First issue of Metal Asia-Pacific16 November, 2011The Asia-Pacific region is the largest manufacturing hub of the world, with considerable presence of metal industries. The IMF South Asia office now issues its own magazine, the Metal Asia Pacific.
