English

Español

Français

Русский

Aerospace

Automotive

Base metals

Chemical, pharmaceutical and bio-science

Energy 

Glass, cement, ceramic and associated industries

ICT, electrical and electronics

Mechanical Engineering

Mining and DGOJP

Pulp and paper

Rubber

Shipbuilding and shipbreaking

Textile, garment, shoes, leather and textile services

Sectors

Action Plan 2021-2025

Action on textile and garment industry

Clean up shipbreaking

Ratify ILO C176

United for a just future - time to pay up!

Disinvest from Myanmar

Campaigns

Global Framework Agreements

Union building

White-collar workers

Health & safety

Industry 4.0

Women

Youth

LGBTQI+

Gender, equality, diversity and inclusion (GEDI)

Just Transition

Organizing with industriALL 

What we do

Affiliates

Statutes

Elected officials

Executive Committee

Geneva head office

South East Asia 

Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus

Latin America and the Caribbean 

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Sub-Saharan Africa

Regional offices

About us

Global worker No1 2022

Global worker No2 2022

Publications

Resources

Logos of IndustriALL Global Union

Press

The ICEM this week recommitted to its fight for justice and fairness for US trade unionists in Sylacauga, Alabama, against French-based Imerys, a ceramics and building materials company. ICEM affiliate Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical, Energy (PACE) Workers Union has filed further US labour code charges and is seeking stiffer remedies on Imerys union-busting strategies. The US government has already levied unfair labour practice violations against Imerys. 
 
PACE has also lodged a request for an investigation on Imerys by the US and French Contact Points under the OECD's Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The US union has emphasized in this request Imerys' flagrant disregard for US labour statutes and that it has breached principles of the General Policies and Employment and Industrial Relations sections of the Guidelines. 
 
Imerys has willfully violated global labour standards by denying trade union rights to workers, and by intentional harassment and intimidation of trade union leaders and union supporters at its calcium carbonate plant in Alabama. PACE has won two representation elections conducted by the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the past four years and Imerys managers at the 350-person worksite continue to discourage union participation by disciplining PACE shop-floor union leaders and withholding promotions to qualified, long-term workers who are supporters of the union. 
 
An effort to oust the union in January 2004 failed by better than a two-to-one margin and managers retaliated against union leaders and supporters by threatening discipline of workers who file union grievances, and deliberately targeting PACE Local 3-516 leaders with disparate work rules. 
 
Last month, local union Chief Steward Anthony Williams was sacked for carrying out his duties as a union representative. And weeks earlier, Local 3-516 President Keith Fulbright was singled out for unjust discipline. 
 
NLRB-issued complaints against Imerys cite the firm with unlawful interference in last January's election and refusal to provide the union with necessary information in order to carry out its legal representation obligations. PACE now alleges Imerys further violated the US labour code by refusing to bargain over workplace scheduling and training, and the discipline and sacking of union leaders constitute grave infractions of US labour law and global labour standards. 
 
Imerys has responded to NLRB's complaints through its counsel that it does not intend to cooperate with the government's investigation of the complaints. The US union has asked the NLRB to assert its powers under the US code by seeking injunctive relief in federal court in order to halt the company's flagrant labour law violations. 
 
In PACE's OECD request, the union asserts Imerys breach of Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises because "(M)anagement has threatened, coerced and intimidated employees exercising their rights to organize for mutual aid and protection; has effectively repudiated provisions of the collective bargaining agreement to which it is a party and made unilateral changes to important terms of employment without bargaining with the employees' designated representative; has repudiated the dispute resolution procedure provided for by the agreement; and failed to cooperate with the investigation of the competent legal authority investigating these violations." 
 
The ICEM has stood with PACE and its local union in Sylacauga since 1999 when Imerys purchased an adjacent non-union plant, combined the two workforces and declared its intent to be union-free. A subsequent NLRB election on 22 June 2000 confirmed workers' choice for union representation, and Imerys' workplace policies since have steadily degenerated to open warfare against the union and its supporters. 
 
"We are shocked that Imerys has not ended its anti-union behavior in the US and are prepared to do whatever is necessary to stop Imerys from destroying the union in Alabama," stated ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs. 
 
PACE's regional Vice President Don Langham, a member of ICEM's Presidium, said the US union and ICEM teamed up before to expose Imery's brazen anti-union conduct and pledged to do it again. "We obtained support from French, Belgium and British unions representing Imerys workers in Europe and that was critical in forcing Imerys to finally recognize the union," Langham said. "We had to take the issue directly to shareholders at Imery's annual meeting in Paris, and we are fully prepared to do it again."

Fresh Attacks by Imerys in Long US Labour Dispute

The ICEM is calling on French company Saint-Gobain to re-examine its labour relations policies at a factory in Massachusetts and to submit to a new election for 770 workers represented by US affiliate United Auto Workers (UAW). In an election to decertify the UAW as bargaining representative on 27-28 January, workers were unduly influenced by company and outside forces prior to a vote against union representation. Workers at Saint-Gobain’s Norton Abrasives in Worcester, Massachusetts, voted against UAW representation, 309-350. 
 
The UAW has filed objections to the election with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on a number of grounds including Saint-Gobain managers intimidating, coercing and interfering with workers’ lawful right to representation, and managers using the threat of plant closing to dissuade workers from voting for the UAW. The 20-million-member ICEM supports the UAW in its objections and the election appeal, and calls on executives of the Paris-based company to step in, rectify anti-union management policies in Worcester, recognize the UAW and commence good-faith bargaining for a collective agreement. 
 
“US labour law is quite clear on such workplace elections being conducted in a fair and unencumbered manner,” said ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs. “We view plant closure threats by Saint-Gobain’s American managers as illegal and detrimental to the intent and spirit of the law. In addition, the fact that an anti-UAW workers’ committee was not only propped up by management, but by an outside, anti-union organization in the US impeded workers from making a fair choice.” 
 
The National Right-to-Work Foundation, an organization intent on the destruction of trade unionism in America, backed the anti-UAW workers’ committee inside the Worcester factory. The ICEM asserts that managers aligned with this group and that both parties used the scare tactic of plant closure if the UAW was retained as bargaining representative. 
 
Workers at Norton Abrasives voted for UAW representation in August 2001 through balloting conducted by the NLRB. But when collective bargaining commenced in early 2002, Saint-Gobain utilized outside legal counsel by a firm specializing in union avoidance. Despite over 140 negotiating sessions being held, no initial collective agreement was ever reached. 
 
On 24 January, the ICEM along with trade unions representing French workers of Saint-Gobain met with corporate officials to explain the anti-union behaviour of American managers and how this conduct runs counter to the company’s own code of ethics. The company responded a day later that it would not intervene with the manner in which US bosses were managing and that such conduct is the normal “culture” of US labour relations. 
 
In a letter today to Saint-Gobain CEO Jean-Louis Beffa, the ICEM’s Higgs asked for a meeting directly with the French Chief Executive to clarify the ICEM charge that Saint-Gobain’s is in contradiction to its stated code of ethics regarding employees rights and respect for the law. The letter calls on the company to agree to recognize the UAW as legitimate representative of workers in Worcester, and to establish a corrective course toward positive labour relations in the US at the Worcester factory.

ICEM Decries Saint-Gobain Election Conduct in US

On the 100th day of a bitter strike by Belgian unions at a glass factory in Fleurus, the 20-million-member International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM) has demanded that the Japanese parent company reverse course and seek a just solution. The strike at Asahi Glass Company’s Glaverbel auto-glass plant began in December and is over an unreasonable restructuring plan that would sack nearly a third of the plant’s 800-member workforce. 
 
Several unions are striking the plant, AGC Automotive Fleurus, including major ICEM Belgian affiliate La Centrale Generale FGTB (CG-FGTB), whose shop-floor leaders have specifically been singled out for redundancy. A vast majority of workers in the plant hold CG-FGTB membership. 
 
In a letter sent yesterday to Masahiro Kadomatsu, president and CEO of the world’s second largest glass maker, ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs stated: “Your company’s European management unilaterally announced this restructuring without consultation or dialogue with representative trade unions in Fleurus, against the European labour relations culture. 
 
“What is worse, management has turned vindictive and ruthless toward legitimate trade union delegates by discrediting their efforts to reach a compromise on this matter, and even targeting them for redundancy (blacklisting).” 
 
Higgs said he was appalled to learn that Glaverbel managers openly and publicly described these sackings as “blacklisting.” Of 18 elected trade union representatives in the plant, ten CG-FGTB delegates have been singled out for redundancy. Managers have applied selective criteria for the job cuts without conducting dialogue with the unions. 
 
The restructuring would cut 260 jobs, close one whole production line at the factory, force a flexibility plan in which agency labour would be used rather than full-time workers, and rationalize both production and maintenance workers. 
 
Because of the strike and a cumulative vote last week by members of all unions to again reject the harsh terms of the restructuring, Japanese executives did order European management to resume negotiations but with specific instructions not to move from Asahi’s announced plans. Management and the unions were given one week to reach a settlement, or face eventual shutdown of the entire plant. That deadline expires tomorrow. 
 
Higgs said in his letter to Kadomatsu: “I must stress that this dispute, and your company’s clear anti-union actions will result in both serious political and industrial escalation in opposition to your actions.” 
 
If Asahi makes no movement in the final days of its self-imposed deadline, the ICEM will call on affiliated unions worldwide to take direct action against all subsidiaries of the Japanese company, as well as to bring the dispute before automotive unions in the metal working industry for their action.

ICEM Makes Demands of Japanese Glass Firm at Belgian Plant

Click <a href="/sites/default/files/migration/icem/GoodyaerAsia2005.ppt" type="internal">here</a> for an ICEM Powerpoint presentation on the current world situation within the tyre market, the challenges for Goodyear and the regional problems for Goodyear in Asia.

ICEM Powerpoint presentation on Goodyear world-wide and Goodyear in Asia

This is the first issue of the e-bulletin on HIV/AIDS. The e-bulletin will be a regular feature in the ICEM’s information strategy on the pandemic. Emphasis will be on workplace issues. It contains news on international governmental organisation such as the ILO and its Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS – UNAIDS, the World Health Organisation – WHO and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The e-bulletin features news from the ICEM and other Global Unions as well as business organisations. It also gives links to useful websites and materials for union activists who want to deepen their knowledge and broaden their activities to fight HIV/AIDS. 
 
ICEM affiliates are already engaged in a wide range of activities, some have formal agreements with companies; others run education and awareness programmes at the workplace. To spread the information on new agreements and campaigns and to build on best practices affiliates and project coordinators are invited to send news and information to hiv.aids@icem.org. Any feedback on the format and contents of the e-bulletin is also welcome. 
 
To subscribe to the e-bulletin, send an e-mail to press@icem.org. Please put ‘subscribe ICEM HIV/AIDS e-bulletin’ in the subject line. 
 
Unfortunately, the e-bulletin can only be published in English. For a free automated (non-ICEM) translation of this HIV-AIDS bulletin into other languages, you may want to try http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr or http://www.google.com/language_tools. 
 
 
Revised Statoil Global Agreement Contains HIV/AIDS Clause 
 
The ICEM and its affiliate NOPEF renewed the Global Agreement with the Norwegian gas and oil producer Statoil. The agreement, which was ICEM’s first when signed in 1998 and has since been reviewed and renewed twice, now contains a clause on HIV/AIDS. The clause stipulates that “the company provides a clear and supportive policy on HIV/AIDS and that this policy is effectively implemented throughout Statoil’s operations.” 
 
In the upcoming review of other Global Agreements and in new agreements, the ICEM will strive to include a clause on HIV/AIDS. 
 
 
Crucial Role of Business Fighting HIV/AIDS 
 
In an interview with Newsweek former US ambassador Richard Holbrooke, who is the CEO of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, stressed the vital role of workplace interventions in the prevention and treatment of the disease. He stated that 95% of all the people in the world who are HIV-positive don’t know it and are therefore spreading the virus for the seven or eight years it lies without any symptoms in a person’s body. Without voluntary but highly encouraged testing and prevention, the amounts spent on treatment will be a bottomless pit. Companies have to get heavily engaged in prevention and treatment. 
 
While he conceded that Africa is at the heart of the problem, he emphasised that it is not just an African disease. The fastest growing rates of the disease are in countries such as Russia, the Ukraine and India, which because of its large population has the first or second largest number of victims already although the prevalence rate is still low. 
 
The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS – www.businessfightsaids.org - has a wide range of case studies of the HIV/AIDS policies and interventions of its member companies. 
(Source: Newsweek, 15 August 2005) 
 
 
Global Fund Replenishment Meeting Falls Short of Target 
 
At the replenishment meeting in London at the beginning of September, government donors pledged USD 3.7 billion to the Global Fund. This commitment, which fell short of expectations, will be sufficient to pay for grant renewals during 2006 and 2007 after the two-year review period and also for the 2005 anticipated shortfall, but it will not cover the cost of any new rounds. The total needs, including cost of new rounds, had been estimated at USD 7 billion. It has to be said, however, that some countries could not yet commit themselves because of their budgetary cycles. Such late pledges and a further replenishment meeting in June 2006 might still bring the commitments to a level to allow for another round of financing. With a commitment of USD 600 million so far the US is well below its target of contributing one third of total funds committed. 
 
The relatively low level of support raises questions about the G8 commitment in July to place on antiretroviral treatment by 2010 all HIV patients who need it. In June the WHO reported that one million people received ARV treatment. The target of 3 million people on ART by the end of this year, the 3 by 5 Initiative of the WHO, is unlikely to be reached. 
 
(Source: Global Fund Observer Newsletter, Issue 50 of 7 September 2005) 
The GFO is an independent source of news, analysis and commentary about the Global Fund. The Newsletter is provided free of charge; to receive it send an email to receive-gfo-newsletter@aidspan.org. 
 
 
Mozambique/South Africa: Catastrophic AIDS Death Toll Among Miners 
 
The level of mortality from AIDS among Mozambican miners in South Africa has reached catastrophic levels, according to the Mozambican Deputy Labour Minister. In the last four years at least 2,500 Mozambican miners had died of AIDS. This figure almost certainly understates the true mortality, since it only includes known cases of the disease. There are currently about 46,000 Mozambicans working in South African mines. The article states that some South African mining companies have adopted discriminatory practices, immediately repatriating miners when they are known to have been infected. Miners who suffer this fate die in Mozambique and are thus not included in the South African figures. 
(Source: www.allafrica.com from Agencia de Informaçao de Moçambique, 13 September 2005) 
 
 
ILOAIDS Website 
 
Visit the website of ILOAIDS, which was re-designed in the course of the year. 
www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/trav/aids/index.htm. 
New features include a step-by-step guide to workplace action, a registration facility to keep you informed of events and new materials and a 24-hour news service focusing specifically on HIV/AIDS in the world of work. You can also find the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and World of Work in some 20 languages.

ICEM HIV/AIDS e-bulletin - No. 1

Hundreds of thousands of Australian workers will take to the streets 15 November to protest the Howard government’s proposed reforms to industrial relations, reforms that are expected to be tabled in Parliament by late October. Called a National Day of Community Protest, the event is being coordinated by the Australian Council of Trade Unions and will feature a satellite link-up to hundreds of locations across Australia spelling out the loss of workers’ rights if the reforms are adopted. The nationwide Union Meeting, as it is billed, is expected to become a one-day national strike against the union-smashing measures being put forward by Prime Minister John Howard following the Conservatives new majority in the Parliament’s Senate.

Australians to Protest Labour Reform 15 November

New Zealand’s unions will embark on a third round of stop-work actions at Carter Holt Harvey’s (CHH) wood and paper operations starting tomorrow. ICEM affiliates Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) and the National Distribution Union are protesting the company’s inferior pay offers of 2.8% to 4%. NZ unions have set a minimum pattern of 5% across all sectors. On 12 September, workers at five CHH wood products plants and one paper converting operation engaged in one-day strikes, and subsequent rolling work stoppages occurred at other jobsites. Workers at one of the company’s pulp and paper mills—Kinleith—are also protesting a poor pay offer. A set of three-day talks between CHH and EPMU there concluded on 2 September with the company offering only 4% and less for some job classifications. The labour unrest comes when the 50.5% majority stakeholder of CHH, US based International Paper Co., has received a US$1.5 billion sale offer for sale to NZ’s richest individual, Graeme Hart and his Rank Group Investment Ltd. CHH’s board of directors, however, has recommended shareholders vote down the offer, saying it is 9.1% under the company’s true market value.

Carter Holt Harvey Targeted over Wage Deficiencies

ICEM Jordanian affiliate General Trade Union of Workers in Mining and Metal Industries has promised to strike if their demands are not met for deeds to 100 housing units built near the Shidiyeh Mines in Maan, Jordan. The union is demanding the housing be turned over to miners and their families, as promised by King Abdullah, before Jordan Phosphate Mines Co. (JPMC) is privatised, which is expected by the end of the year. The Jordanian trade union, protecting the rights of the 1,350 JPMC workers, warned it will stand firm on the housing rights issue as a precursor against curtailment of any set of rights or workers’ benefits once the company is privatised.

Jordanian Affiliate Demands Housing for Miners

A start-up gold mining project in Ghana turned to violence on 2 September when three persons were injured by police gunfire. Police were attempting to disperse an angry group of workers who lost their jobs following Newmont Ghana Gold Mining Ltd.’s construction of mine milling plants. The workers along with persons from the town of Yamfo, Northern Brong Ahafo, had blocked a street that prevented Newmont’s buses from carrying workers to jobsites. Newmont, 100% owned by Newmont Mining Corp. of the US, the world’s leading gold miner, purchased a tract of Ghana’s Sefwi gold belt early this decade, and is expected to commence production in 2006 from two sites in northern Ghana of stated gold reserves totaling 16.5 million ounces. The company established a hiring procedure for all new jobs but when existing workers from the construction phase did not immediately re-apply, Newmont closed off the recruitment process and hired new workers.

Violence at Newmont Mining's Start-up Project in Ghana

German ICEM affiliate IGBCE will hold its Congress 9-14 October in Hannover with 391 delegates taking on 150 resolutions under the banner “Strong Enough for New Paths.” The Congress will include some 1,100 guests, and one motion to be considered will be the challenges to trade union cooperation in the greater EU economy and globalisation. IGBCE President Hubertus Schmoldt called recent German elections a mandate against radical reforms to labour law and bargaining regulations, issues brought forth by both the CDU/CSU and neo-liberals. Schmoldt said in a newspaper interview that Germany needs new concepts for it’s energy market, as well as creation of better terms and conditions for employment in high-tech workplaces.

German Affiliate IGBCE to Hold Congress

Archive