Lima climate talks a bitter disappointment19 diciembre, 2014There was a bitterly disappointing end to the 20th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP20) on 13 December in Lima, Peru. After two weeks of intensive negotiations, the ambition to hold temperature rises to 2C all but vanished and trade unions' demands for a Just Transition to a sustainable future were ignored.
Australia: end of eight-week lockout at Otis18 diciembre, 2014For eight weeks, workers at Otis Elevators in Australia were locked out as management refused to pay the same rates and conditions as other elevator companies in Australia. Yesterday, Otis conceded and trade unions reached an agreement with Otis.
Community teams with Tesco to improve its UK garment supply chain 18 diciembre, 2014British trade union, Community, has signed a groundbreaking agreement with retailer Tesco to improve conditions in its UK garment supply chain.
Armenia: rubber workers protest over unpaid wages17 diciembre, 2014Employees of the Nairit rubber plant in the Armenian capital of Yerevan have been picketing government buildings demanding the elimination of 18-month wage arrears, estimated at a total USD13 million.
National general strike in Belgium rejects austerity16 diciembre, 2014The largest industrial action in Belgium for 20 years was conducted jointly on 15 December by the country’s two union confederations, FGTB-ABVV and ACV-CSC. The historic general strike brought transport and businesses to a standstill as workers loudly protested against deep government austerity measures.
Union changes status of precarious workers at Siemens, India16 diciembre, 2014In early December, 40 precarious workers at a Siemens factory in India received permanent contracts after negotiations between the trade union and management.
Workplace accident finally recognized16 diciembre, 2014For the last 13 years, distressed Colombian worker Rubén Montoya has been battling with Sura Insurance Company and Tenaris Tubo Caribe to get a pension and other benefits following a workplace accident leaving him unable to work. A settlement was finally made early December.
1 million workers strike across Indonesia 15 diciembre, 2014On 10 December, 1 million members of Indonesian trade union confederations KSPI, KSBSI and KSPSI went on strike demanding wage increases after president Joko Widodo upped fuel prices. In Jakarta 50,000 people marched to the President’s Palace to voice their demands.
IAM workers stoical despite 10-week strike 12 diciembre, 2014Workers from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union are standing firm after a ten-week dispute with refractory manufacturer RHI Monofrax in the US.
Murder exposes rampant sexism in South African mines12 diciembre, 2014A verdict of two life sentences handed down on 27 November 2014 nearly three years after miner Pinky Mosiane’s rape and murder underground at Anglo Platinum’s Khomanani mine is only a partial victory as women still suffer systemic violence, exploitation and abuse in South Africa’s mines.
