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!
17 August, 2011Swiss trade union UNIA has achieved significant steps in the campaign to save the jobs of 470 workers at Swissmetal, a company on the verge of bankruptcy. The first victory was ensuring all staff received salary payments for the month of July. This was achieved through pressure on Switzerland's Secretary of State for the Economy, and on the cantonal governments of Soleure and Berne.
17 August, 2011The ICEM affiliate in Georgia, the Metallurgical, Mining, and Chemical Industry Workers' Trade Union, is again bringing dignity and job rights to steelworkers in the Central Asian country. On 2 August, after formally submitting grievances over extreme sub-standard work conditions before the managing director of Euroasian Steels LLC in Kutaisi, the company agreed to recognise the union as voice for 400 workers, and begin a process to correct problems.
13 September, 2011Organizing new workers is never easy but in the United States it's tougher than most places. Participants at an Alcoa Global Unions meeting got to experience first- hand the challenges facing the US unions. The attendees from unions in Australia, Canada, Iceland, Brazil, Suriname, and United Kingdom, took part in an organizing drive assisting the United Steelworkers (USW) as part of their activities. The target company Traco is a subsidiary of Alcoa and employs around 450 workers. Incidentally "Here we go again" was the title of union busting materials Alcoa used in one of its plants and seems apt to use during this organizing drive.
15 November, 2011A four month lock-out at the Turkish operations of German-owned GEA is gaining worldwide attention as an international delegation prepares to visit the picket site and pledge global action.
11 November, 2011The ArcelorMittal and union Joint Global Health and Safety Committee (JGHSC) visited the Polish steel plant in Dabrowa Gornicza.
10 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.
13 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.
12 October, 2011A secret ballot to determine the majorty for union recognition at Robert Bosch, Malaysia, was conducted by the Malaysian Ministry on September 27. The National Union of Transport Equipment and Allied Industries Workers (NUTEAIW), an IMF affiliate, secured a 73.6% majority among the 499 employees.
