22 September, 2011On September 20 the Swedish metalworkers' union IF Metall filed a bankruptcy petition against the ailing Swedish automaker SAAB at the local district court. The decision was taken unanimously at a video conference meeting of the IF Metall office, the Trollhättan local and the SAAB section.
6 September, 2011On September 1 approximately 100 independent and democratic unions and groups took part in two mass-based actions in Mexico City: the "national day of indignant Mexicans" and a rally outside the lower house of congress.
29 August, 2011A small group of experts from the ArcelorMittal Joint Global Health and Safety Committee visited the Vinton Steel Works in El Paso, Texas. The group, made up of representatives from the European Metalworkers' Federation, United Steelworkers and International Metalworkers' Federation found that although some examples of best practice existed, in the main safety conditions in the plant were below standard and need urgent attention.
26 August, 2011Hanjin Heavy Industries insists on dismissals in breach of contract, despite huge company profits and payment of generous dividends and bonuses to owners and senior company executives. KMWU continues its fight to protect the interests of workers. A Hope Bus Rally is planned in Seoul on August 27 to 28 under the theme "Another World is Possible!
24 August, 2011On August 18 local Section 309 of the National Miners' and Metalworkers' Union of Mexico (SNTMMSRM) at the mine La Platosa in the state of Durango, Mexico reached an agreement with the management of Excellon de Mexico S.A. de C.V. a subsidiary of the Canadian owned mining company Excellon Resources Inc.
13 January, 2011Following the 3rd international meeting of the Tenaris Workers' World Council in Brazil last November, the union in Argentina negotiates a new permanent profit sharing system at the Campana plant; in Colombia Jairo del Rio seeks government intervention in the bargaining process; and, USW in Canada requests a meeting with Tenaris CEO Paolo Rocca.
7 January, 2011The IMF Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean highlighted the impact of job insecurity and employers' refusal to recognise the freedom of association. He also requested greater ILO cooperation in strengthening national and international collective bargaining at the sector level.
5 January, 2011IMF's South Asian affiliates deliberated upon a regional focus in IMF's work for the South Asia to intensify organising workers in shipbreaking industry, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), establishing sustainable union structures, strong national unions and effective utilisation of IMF's communication and trade union networks to build international solidarity
23 December, 2010In the evening of December 19, mass demonstrations were staged in Minsk. Four trade unionists were arrested. The IMF demands the immediate release of Michael Kovalkov, Alexei Kovun, Vladimir Sergeev and Alexander Tysevich and an end of the violations of fundamental human rights in Belarus.
22 December, 2010IMF has received reports of renewed attacks against trade unionists and activists these last days in Mexico. José Luis Solorio, General Secretary of the new democratic Honda union in El Salto, Jalisco was fired; Jorge Mora, elected trade union leader in the Platosa Mine in la Sierrita, Durango also fired and his co-workers intimidated; in Puebla, the office of labour activists CAT, Centre for Worker Support was ransacked and robbed. IMF calls on the affiliates to send strong protest letters to support the Mexican workers fighting for freedom of association and justice.