Australian and New Zealand unions step up cooperation8 November, 2011Leaders of the seven Australian and New Zealand affiliates of the IMF, ICEM and ITGLWF met in Auckland, New Zealand on October 28 and resolved to create a new Council of the affiliates of the future new Federation in the two countries.
German and French unions call for a new industrial policy11 January, 2012The German and French trade unions affiliated to the IMF make a joint statement on the industrial future in Europe. They appeal to the French and German governments and the European Commission to strengthen the industrial base and secure employment in the European industry.
Pay hike of 3 per cent in Swedish industry11 January, 2012At the end of December 170 IF Metall union reps from working sites across Sweden agreed to a new 14 month contract with employers' associations, starting February 1, 2012, and running up to March 31, 2013. Salaries will be increased by 3 per cent.
Ecopetrol reinstates USO president17 January, 2012Thanks to national and international trade union solidarity, the Ecopetrol president has reinstated USO president Rodolfo Vecino and revoked the ten-year ban on holding office also placed on him by the company.
Italian metalworkers denounce lax European arms export control24 January, 2012Italian metalworkers' unions Fim-Cisl and Fiom-Cgil say the official EU report on arms exports is flawed, incomplete and too late. They are among the promoters of the Arms Control Network Rete Italiana per il Disarmo, one of the signatories of a critical appeal against lax European arms export control.
Canadian Rio Tinto lockout nears one month25 January, 2012On January 1, 2012, Rio Tinto's aluminium subsidiary Alcan locked out 780 members of United Steelworkers at its smelter and refinery in Alma, Québec. The company refuses to negotiate limits on contract work.
The Electrical workers' complaint will be considered in U.S. and Canada20 January, 2012The complaint of the Mexican Electrical Workers' Union (SME) against their government will be considered in both Canada and the United States under North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) side agreement on labour cooperation.
Electrolux workers on strike in Romania1 February, 2012860 employees of an Electrolux plant in Satu Mare, northern Romania, went on an indefinite strike after the management refused to sign a new collective agreement with the same conditions for 2012.
Unions discuss industrial strategy at COP177 December, 2011On November 30 the ICEM, IMF and ITGLWF collaborated on an event entitled "Cutting Emissions - Transforming Jobs". It was a key part of the "World of Work" side events coordinated by the International Trade Union Confederation at the UN climate change conference COP-17 in Durban, South Africa.
Cooper Tire lockout in Findlay, USA8 December, 2011The US tire and rubber company on November 28 announced that it would lock out 1,051 unionized workers at its plant in Findlay in the state of Ohio, USA. The United Steelworkers (USW) and its Local 207L condemned the move and on December 6 filed charges with the National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) against the company for unfair labour practices in bargaining.
