unions

Arrests of Korean trade unionists continue

Ed — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:06:21 +0000

With the recent arrest of Hyundai Motor Branch First Vice-President Kim Tae-gon on September 16 and the arraignment of Jung Gab-deuk, president of the Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU), on September 18 on charges of obstructing business, members of the KMWU are bracing for more assaults. Leaders of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions have also been targets of arrest.

Bangladesh: carrot and stick - security forces fire on garment workers as government recalls unions

Ret Marut — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:07:34 +0000

Wednesday 13 Aug - Dhaka; over 5,000 workers at Reedisha Knitex factory staged a demonstration inside during their lunch break at 1pm; they demanded a pay rise to compensate for the rampant inflation of food and other essentials such as rent and transportation. Their demands being ignored by management, they set about ransacking the factory.

Where is the struggle going?

Ed — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:37:34 +0000

From the time of our arrival the gate of the big hall at bottom floor was quickly closed, so the occupation was limited to the courtyard, the stairs up until the forth floor and the hallways of the floors.

For the unity of all the sans-papiers collectives!

Ed — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:29:34 +0000

Something new is coming into force in this historically important location in the workers struggle in France. The occupation is made in an autonomous way against every "advice" and recommendation of the big political organizations and against the unions, and it is holding out well.

A brief account of Unison's national conference, 2008

Ed — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:55:42 +0000

I recently attended Unison's national delegate conference in Bournemouth as a delegate from a London local government branch. It was an eye opening experience with respect to the machinations of political groupings within the union.

In particular some of the ways in which the new Labour-linked bureaucracy maintained control over the supposedly lay lead organisation became clear.

Vietnam: 330 illegal strikes in six months

Ed — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:29:14 +0000

The confederation’s Vice Chairman, Mai Duc Chinh, said that under the current regulations, only grassroots trade unions have the right to organise strikes, but this regulation is unrealistic because there is no mechanism to protect trade union leaders and most employers don’t positively cooperate with trade unions.

Mexico: Corona bottle makers face redundancy for supporting independent union

Alan — Thu, 01 May 2008 06:38:21 +0000

The threat from Grupo Modelo in the Industrial Vidriera Potosí factory comes not long after the firing of over 250 workers for being involved with the activities of Sindicato Único de Trabajadores de la Empresa IVP (SUTEIVP).

Politics Without Parties - The future of trade unionism?

Boulcolonialboy — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:59:53 +0000

The meeting took place on Thursday 3rd of April 2008 in the Ulster Peoples College in Belfast and was addressed by Donnacha DeLong (NUJ National Executive Council New Media Rep) Jason Brannigan (Organise!) and Chekov Feeney (WSM).

Airport workers suspend hunger strike

Boulcolonialboy — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:12:19 +0000

The five day hunger strike by three sacked airport shop stewards, Gordon McNeill, Madan Gupta and Chris Bowyer was suspended at 5.30 this afternoon after the workers received a letter from the union solicitors guaranteeing that their demands would be met.

Two hunger strikers now in hospital

Boulcolonialboy — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:40:51 +0000

Just hours after addressing a solidarity rally outside Transport House in Belfast hunger striker Gordon McNeill was rushed to City Hospital for treatment. An ambulance was called to the scene at Transport House due to a deterioration in his condition. Gordon is on his fourth day without food and his second day without water. Also on hunger strike are Madan Gupta and Chris Bowyer.