CANADIAN LABOUR- THE MARITIMES:

SUPPORT LOCKED OUT WORKERS AT ACADIAN COACH LINES:

Last November workers at Acadian/ien Bus Lines in the Maritimes were locked out by their employer when they refused a concessionary contract offer. The workers involved have been locked out for three months, and they are asking supporters to pressure management to accept arbitration. Here is the story

from Labour Start.

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Canada: End the lockout at Acadian Coach Lines


The 3-month long lockout, affecting the areas of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, began in December 2011 when Acadian Coach Lines, a subsidiary of French multinational Keolis, locked out their employees because of a labour dispute. This has resulted in no intercity bus service in these provinces of Canada leaving many who rely on buses to get to and from cities in these provinces stranded.

The dispute began in late November 2011 when Acadian presented a concessionary contact to the workers, members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1229. The bus drivers, mechanics and sales agents had been working without a contract for months. The insulting contract was overwhelmingly rejected by 88% and workers gave their 72-hour strike notice to the company. Acadian then decided to lock out the workers.

The union has made numerous offers, most recently on February 12, 2012, to go back to the table with the help of a federally appointed mediator and return to work immediately, but Acadian has rejected all offers. The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) and French transportation unions in CGT, CFDT and FO federations have expressed their solidarity with the ATU and its locked out workers.

The Amalgamated Transit Union has been waging a campaign working to build coalitions with transit advocates, labour organizations and other groups to bring attention to the corporate greed at Acadian and bring and end this lock out that has a major impact on working people and their families throughout New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
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THE LETTER
Please go to this link to send the following letter to Acadian Coach Lines management.

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It’s time to stop the corporate greed at Acadian Coach Bus Lines in Canada. I join the global protest in calling on French multinational Keolis to intervene with its Canadian subsidiary Acadian to end the 3-month lockout of bus drivers and call for a negotiated solution. The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) and French transportation unions in CGT, CFDT and FO federations have expressed their solidarity.

Recognizing that many rely on this critical bus service the workers, members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), were willing to return to work 12 days into the lock out when the Union applied to Acadian to go to binding interest arbitration, but Acadian refused leaving the public out in the cold for the holiday season.

Then on February 15, 2012, the Union once again asked to go to binding interest arbitration and return to work immediately, but the Company again rejected the workers’ attempt to put an end to this labor dispute for the better of the riding public.

This is another case of corporate greed that has brought the global economy to its knees and decimated working people and their families across Canada and the world.

It’s time for Acadian to bargain fairly and give workers the cost-of-living increase they deserve. I stand in solidarity with Acadian bus drivers and mechanics and demand that Acadian bring back service to Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-INDONESIA:

SOLIDARITY WITH INDONESIAN NESTLE WORKERS:

The following item is from the international union confederation, the IUF. There have been other items about Nestlé on this blog, both about labour matters and about food safety. As a worldwide corporation it is only appropriate that Nestlé poor behavior is also worldwide. In this case it is Indonesia.

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Urgent Action Nestlé Indonesia - Two Years and Nescafé Workers Still Waiting for the Right to Negotiate Wages!:
Since 2007, the union at Nestlé's Nescafé factory in Panjang, Indonesia has been struggling to negotiate two basic improvements to their contract. The union wants: wages to be negotiated through collective bargaining, and is asking for the wage scale to be included in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Nestlé management refuses, saying it is not company policy to negotiate wages and that wage scales are "confidential"! Rather than negotiate, Nestlé has attempted to undermine the union's legitimacy by intimidating members and leaders, attempting to establish a rival organization and pressuring workers to join it.

For two years, workers and their union have been standing up to company pressure - you can support them by sending a message to Nestlé, the world's largest food company, telling it to stop pressuring and start negotiating!
http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/campaigns/show_campaign.cgi?c=410

The situation at Nestlé Panjang is not unique. For growing numbers of Nestlé workers around the world, it's "Good Food - Good Life - Goodbye to Union Rights in the Workplace"
To learn more about Nestlé, Nespressure and the fight back, visit
http://www.iuf.org/nespressure/en/

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THE LETTER:

Please go to the campaign site link above to send the following letter to Nestlé management.

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To: Paul Bulcke, CEO

Frits van Dijk, Executive Vice President, Zone AOA
CC: Jean-Marc Duvoisin, Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Nigel Isherwood, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources, Zone AOA

Peter Vogt, Managing Director, Nestlé Indonesia
I am outraged to learn that management at the Nescafé factory in Panjang, Indonesia, refuses to respond constructively to proposals put forth by the union SBNIP to negotiate wages and to include the wage scale in the collective agreement. These are basic trade union rights set out in ILO Conventions, which Nestlé claims to uphold as part of the Corporate Business Principles.

Rather than negotiate, management has, over the course of almost 2 years, attempted to undermine the union's legitimacy by intimidating members and leaders and by promoting a rival organisation. Rather than negotiate, management has now sought to impose a settlement through the industrial court. This is precisely the kind of behaviour which has repeatedly involved Nestlé in action at the OECD for violation of its Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises.

It's past time for Nestlé to stop fighting the union, to fully respect its right to represent Panjang employees and immediately engage in good faith collective bargaining negotiations. I will continue to watch closely for signs of progress.
Yours sincerely,

INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-BULGARIA:

SOLIDARITY WITH QUEER BULGARIA:

The following item first came to Molly's attention via the Europe section of the Anarchist Black Cat Discussion board. It is originally from the International Queer Solidarity Network.

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Solidarity with Queer Bulgaria: 27 June 2009:

The International Queer Solidarity Network calls for a European mobilization, with support from the United States, that will stand in solidarity with Queer Bulgaria. On June 28th 2008, neo-Nazi groups aggressively attacked the first LGBTQ Pride march in Sofia, Bulgaria. A week before the march, the Bulgarian National Alliance, the most visible nationalist organization in the country, called for a “week of intolerance.” The BNA strongly encouraged nationalistic groups to organize themselves against the right of the queer community in Bulgaria to peacefully march, which resulted in loosely organized violence during the festivities.(I find it pleasant that the other side can be at least as "loosely organized" as we anarchists all too often are-Molly)

BNA members and other neo-Nazis threw molotov cocktails and small explosives at the participants of the Pride march. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, more than eighty skinheads, including Boyan Rasate (head of the BNA) were arrested for their attempted harm and direct violence toward pride participants. This year neo-Nazi groups are once again organizing themselves against the march and Bulgarian queers’ ability to defend their human rights. The Bulgarian government not only tolerates but also encourages such attitudes. Two of the parties in the Parliament of Bulgaria are nationalistic and one of them, Ataka, called for “the men to beat up the gays.”

In addition, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria and head of the “socialist” party, Sergei Stanishev, subtly, through hidden sparks of hatred, said that he did not like the “manifestation and demonstration of such orientations.” Even though the rights of LGBTQ people in Bulgaria are protected by the constitution, this is yet more empty rhetoric in the hands of the powerful. The queer community refuses to give up its rights to a free assembly. There will be another Pride march on the 27th of June 2009. Let’s unite and stand together against the homophobic and transphobic state of Bulgaria and growing neo-Nazism in Europe.

The International Queer Solidarity Network calls for a European mobilization, with support from the United States, that will stand in solidarity with Queer Bulgaria. For more information on how you can help you can contact: iqsn@riseup.net or sofiagaypride2009@gmail.com If you cannot attend the Pride, visit http://www.iqsn.org/ for more information on how you can help. www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6oz3yeW5yo

e-mail:

iqsn@riseup.net

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For those curious about what the International Queer Solidarity Network is all about see the following statement from their website.

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About Us:
The International Queer Solidarity Network is a developing network of collectives and individuals working to strengthen the global movement of queer liberation. IQSN brings to light the injustices faced by the Queer community world-wide, and builds global solidarity with local struggles. IQSN is part of the larger movement building a world that is free from oppression of all people, including queer and trans people.
Points Of Unity:
* Our work thrives to provide a true sense of total liberation for everyone as we desire to live in a world that is free from discrimination, hatred and intolerance.

* We support a diversity of tactics, ranging from web-based and person-to-person education, to electoral/legislative campaigning to direct action and militant resistance.

* We stand in solidarity and support the tactics used by the community most affected.

* We oppose domination and hierarchy in all it’s forms.

* We value the skills and wisdoms(sic-Molly) possessed by the many different cultures in our world, and support the right to cultural self-determination.

* We believe that governments and institutions are violent and oppressive forces to queer and trans people and other marginalized peoples.

* As part of a global movement towards universal liberation, we recognize the interconnectedness of all forms of oppression. Queer and trans people will not be free until all people are free! and that means you, muthafuckas!!!

* We are in solidarity with all groups and individuals working to end oppression on institutional, socialized, and inter-personal levels.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-IRAN:

SOLIDARITY DAY WITH IRANIAN WORKERS:

The following appeal for an international day of solidarity with workers in Iran comes Molly's way via the online labour solidarity site Labour Start. The website for the campaign is Justice for Iranian Workers. The following is in English and French. L'article suivante est en anglais et français.

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JUSTICE FOR IRANIAN WORKERS:

info@justiceforiranianworkers.org
Four global union organisations representing over 170 million workers have called a worldwide action day on June 26 to demand justice for Iranian workers. Demonstrations will take place outside Iranian embassies and consulates to protest the ongoing denial of rights and arrests of trade unionists within the country.

The ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation), EI (Education International), ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation), IUF (International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations) are forming a coalition for the event, which is the latest move in an ongoing campaign to secure justice and trade union rights inside Iran. Amnesty International has backed this campaign.

They are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of jailed trade union members and leaders including Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Madadi, Farzad Kamangar, and the annulment of the one year prison sentences recently handed down against the five leaders of the Haft Tapeh Sugarworkers’ Union, as well as the release of trade unionists arrested in Tehran on May Day.
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Quatre organisations syndicales mondiales représentant plus de 170 millions de travailleurs ont lancé une journée mondiale d’action le 26 juin afin d’exiger plus de justice pour les travailleurs iraniens. Des manifestations se dérouleront devant les ambassades et consulats iraniens afin de protester contre les perpétuelles violations des droits et les arrestations de syndicalistes dans le pays.

La CSI (Confédération syndicale internationale), l’IE (Internationale de l’Education), l’ITF (Fédération internationale des ouvriers du transport), l’UITA (Union internationale des travailleurs de l’alimentation, de l’agriculture, de l’hôtellerie-restauration, du tabac et des branches connexes) ont formé une coalition à l’occasion de cet événement, qui constitue la dernière action en date d’une longue campagne pour garantir la justice et les droits syndicaux en Iran. Cette campagne bénéficie du soutien d’Amnesty International.

La coalition appelle à la libération immédiate et inconditionnelle des syndicalistes et dirigeants syndicaux emprisonnés dont Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Madadi et Farzad Kamangar, à l’annulation des condamnations à un an d’emprisonnement récemment prononcées à l’encontre des cinq dirigeants du Syndicat des travailleurs de l’entreprise sucrière de Haft Tapeh, ainsi qu’à la libération des syndicalistes arrêtés à Téhéran le jour de la fête du travail.

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Here is a syndicalist background to this struggle from the website of the Australian IWW.

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Iran: June 26th world Solidarity day, Khodro workers victory, May day detainees update:

JUNE 26th 2009 The ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation), EI (Education International), ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation), IUF (International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations) are forming a coalition in an ongoing campaign to secure justice and trade union rights inside Iran. Amnesty International has backed this campaign. http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/show.php?id=1032&theme=rights&country=iran

VICTORY The strike of the Iran Khodro workers to get their unpaid wages and convert temporary contracts to permanent ones ends in victory Last week the workers of Iran Khodro were successful with their glorious strike which started in the assembly hall and continued in the shuttle (body) hall and ended with the press hall strike. The workers’ immediate demands were payment of their unpaid wages (productivity and last year’s production record bonuses) and to switch workers on temporary contracts to contracts of the Iran Khodro Company itself.

At first the new management of Iran Khodro would not pay the productivity and production record bonuses and postponed paying the wages for Farvardin [the first Iranian month, 21 March-20 April]. When faced with the workers’ protest, it paid the wages to stop the protest spreading. But the workers announced that the time for waiting was over and that to reach their demands they had decided to go on strike. Once the managers, who had recently come to the Company, grasped the seriousness of a strike starting, 150 thousand tomans [£97,395; $154,353; €111,086] was paid into the workers’ accounts within a few hours. But not only did the strike not die down it spread from the assembly hall until it reached the shuttle hall and the production lines - they all came to a halt.

It was not night-time yet when all the production record bonuses were paid into workers’ accounts. And the workers showed that if they are together, once again, they can stand up to any power. Another victory All the contract workers on the production lines in Iran Khodro will be leaving contractors' companies and be signed up by Iran Khodro itself.

When on May 2 the Industry Minister, who had the mobilised forces supporting him in the Azadi [Freedom] Stadium for a Labour Day ceremony, was silent and ignored [the fact] that hundreds of workers had been arrested on International Labour Day, he was confronted by the shouts of workers calling for the lying minister to resign. They wanted an end to temporary contracts. Then the minister announced that he will keep his promise and that he had told managers under the Ministry’s authority, to give a section of workers permanent contracts before the election.

After that the new [Iran Khodro] management’s notice announced the names of a few thousand workers who were getting [permanent contracts] as part of this public commitment, but the names of the press [hall workers], who are under contract from the PGI contractor, were not among them. After this issue [came to light] the workers of the press hall brought the production lines to a standstill and gathered in front of the management office. The strike continued from the morning to the evening shifts, but before it was time for the night shift, management announced that all workers will be covered by the public commitment. And another victory for the workers of Iran Khodro was chalked up.

Iran Khodro workers 18 May 2009 Translated by Iranian Workers’ Solidarity Network http://www.iwsn.org/labour/iran-khodro-victory-may2009.htm

MAY DAY DETAINEES UPDATE
Five of the women activists arrested on May Day have finally been released After 14 days, with the [growing] pressure of public opinion, five more people arrested on May Day, International Labour Day, have been released. Yesterday, May 13, five women - Sharifeh Mohammadi, Fatemeh Shahnazari, Samiyeh Navab, Fatemeh Eghdami and Nasrin Rajavi - who were arrested in Tehran's Laleh Park on International Labour Day, were released on bail. Currently there are nine women in the methadone hall and one woman in the public wing of Evin prison.

The charges against those arrested include propaganda against the [Islamic Republic’s] system - a charge they have rejected. The women have so far been interrogated three times and the last interrogation was very harsh and prolonged, lasting from 3pm until 10pm. The families of the arrested women were told that bail had been set for all of them but just five have been given the legal notice. It should be mentioned that there is no information about the arrested men and that they have not been in contact with their families. The Pursuit Committee for the Formation of Free Labour Organisations, while congratulating these civil activists on their release and wishing them happiness, demands the immediate and unconditional release of the rest of the International Labour Day detainees. Pursuit Committee for the Formation of Free Labour Organisations 14 May 2009 http://www.iwsn.org/campaigns/hands-off-shiva-sobhani.htm
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http://www.rebelion.org / Manuel Garcia, Jr. can be reached at mango@idiom.com http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/05/nuclear-or-solar-energy / http://www.counterpunch.org/garcia05062009.html

AMERICAN LABOUR-CRYSTAL CITY:

SOLIDARITY WITH FERDI LAZO:

The following appeal is from the United Students Against Sweatshops, and it concerns the efforts to organize hotels operated by HEI Hotels and Resorts. This operation seems to be a cross between a holding company and a franchise chain. No doubt there is some creative tax accounting involved as well. One thing is certain, the management of HEI is viciously anti-union and will do anything to deny their employees their rights. Here's the appeal...

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HEI Fires Union Leader Ferdi Lazo:
On Wednesday May 27, union leader Ferdi Lazo was fired from the HEI Sheraton Crystal City Hotel. Ferdi is an outspoken leader of the campaign for workplace justice who has led delegations to management, marched on picket lines, traveled to speak with students at universities invested in HEI and tirelessly stood up for his coworkers rights and dignity.

HEI workers across the country are campaigning for a fair card check neutrality process to decide whether or not to form a union. At each hotel where workers have demanded justice, HEI has laidoff or disciplined union activists. On the first day of the campaign in Northern Virginia, Ferdi was suspended without pay. After an outpouring of student and community solidarity, Ferdi was called back to work. Now he needs our support again!

Call Sheraton Crystal City General Manager, Pradeep Bobba: 703.486.1111
"Hi, my name is ________ and I am a student calling from ________. I urge you to immediately respect the rights of your hotel workers by signing a Card Check Neutrality Agreement and reinstating Ferdi Lazo! Thank you. "
Tell me more

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THE LETTER:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to HEI management.

ALALALALALAL
Subject:I Stand With Ferdi!
Dear [ Decision Maker ],
I am deeply concerned about the recent firing of union leader Ferdi Lazo. Since 1990, Ferdi has been a hardworking, responsible employee at the Sheraton Crystal City.

Union leaders at HEI hotels across the country have been disciplined and laidoff in what appears to be a pattern. I stand with the workers who are standing up for their rights and dignity!

I demand that you sign a fair card check neutrality agreement and reinstate Ferdi now!

CANADIAN LABOUR-TORONTO:

SOLIDARITY WITH WORKERS AT 'HELLENIC HOMES':

It's all in line with a certain misperception all to common in our society. The illusion is that workers in what are called the "caring professions" have to endure atrocious work conditions and low remuneration because they are "caring". To say the least this is hypocritical, and actually quite "predatory" if you look at it from the "oh, what about you Jack, point of view. From a "Martian" point of view it reeks of pure manipulation. Somehow you surrender your rights to self interest when you are "caring" for people where the paymasters are others who think you should "care" more than they do. Here's an example from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) asking for your solidarity with workers at the Hellenic Care Homes in Toronto who have been struggling for three years for a collective agreement. The management, of course, "cares", but they think that others ie their employees should "care more". The workers involved are calling for your public support.

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Help Hellenic Homes for the Aged workers settle a first collective agreement:
Members of CUPE 4829 and CUPE 4830 were certified in 2006 and are still without a first collective agreement. The members work at two Hellenic Homes for the Aged in Toronto. The negotiations have been long and drawn out with an employer who shows no respect for CUPE members and the union in general. There are a number of issues with this employer including multiple disciplines, terminations and suspensions. Please e-mail the management team with this message, or create your own.

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THE LETTER:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to the management of Hellenic Homes.

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Please settle a first collective agreement with CUPE 4829 and CUPE 4830. These workers deserve a fair and reasonable settlement in a timely manner, the time is NOW. Stop intimidating CUPE members, stop making faces at CUPE members, stop telling CUPE members they don’t have a union. They do, the biggest union in the country is CUPE and CUPE is behind them all the way.

AMERICAN LABOUR:

THE TERMINATOR WIELDS AN AXE:

Arnie, Arnie, Arnie, how could you ? Seems that Governor Schwarzenegger of California wants to cut the wages of home care workers in that state down to $8/hour. This is less or equal to the minimum wage in many Canadian provinces. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is protesting these cuts, and they are asking you to add their voice to theirs. Here's the story and the appeal. Look out Arnie. "They'll be back".

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What happened when Gov. Schwarzenegger drove by?:‏
Earlier this week, thousands gathered outside the Capitol in Sacramento, California to protest the pending home care cuts.

As they listened to passionate pleas from pastors, workers and those who depend on their care, a limo drove by.

The car slowed and a backseat window rolled down ... A smug, cigar-chomping failed Governor peered out at the crowd.And when Governor Schwarzenegger looked, he was immediately met by chants of "stop the cuts! stop the cuts!"

Check out pictures from the 48-hour vigil in Sacramento and send your personal message to Gov. Schwarzengger telling him not to cut home care for the most fragile among us

http://action.seiu.org/homecarerally

When he heard the chants, the governor's limo sped away.

But he can't run from the fact that his misguided priorities have propelled California to the edge of insolvency.

Now, the Governor wants to cut the pay of the workers who help seniors and people with disabilities stay in their homes down to $8 an hour. That could force thousands out of their own homes and into nursing homes, costing the state four times as much as in-home care!

Send a message to the Governor telling him his short-sighted policies will send California deeper into fiscal abyss.

http://action.seiu.org/homecarerally

We can win this fight, but it will take you lending a voice to the effort today.

Rock the boat,

Tim Tagaris

New Media Director,

SEIU

CANADIAN LABOUR/LE TRAVAIL CANADIEN:

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION/JOURNÉE NATIONALE MANIFESTION:

The following appeal is from the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada/Syndicat Canadiene des communications, de l'énergie et du papier (CEP/SCEP).

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June 2nd National Day of Protest - 2 juin, journée nationale de manifestation:‏

Greetings,

We need your help to pressure Prime Minister Stephen Harper to hold a meeting with a CEP forest workers' delegation in Ottawa on June 2nd. On that day, thousands of CEP forest workers from across Canada will be demanding that the federal government take action to help workers, their families, and their communities. Please take a few moments to read the attached and send it to Mr. Harper.

In solidarity,

Dave Coles

CEP President

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Salutations,

Nous avons besoin de votre aide pour faire pression sur le Premier ministre Stephen Harper afin qu’il rencontre une délégation de travailleurs forestiers du SCEP, à Ottawa, le 2 juin. Lors de cette journée, des milliers de travailleuses et travailleurs forestiers partout au Canada demanderont que le gouvernement fédéral agisse pour aider les travailleurs, leur famille et leur communauté. Veuillez prendre quelques instants pour lire la lettre et l’envoyer à M. Harper.

En toute solidarité,

Dave Coles

Président du SCEP

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THE LETTER/LA LETTRE:

Cliquez un des liens ci-dessus pour envoyer cette lettre à M. Harper. Click one of the links above to send this letter to Mr. Harper.

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Mr. Prime Minister,

I request that you meet a delegation of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union on June 2nd regarding the crisis in the forestry industry and solutions to help workers, their families and their communities. On that day, forestry workers from across Canada will be coming to Ottawa to express their concerns regarding the loss of over 55,000 jobs in the last two years alone as well as the threat to their pensions.

Forest industry workers played no role in the financial crisis. Yet, they are the direct victims of a crisis that has been ongoing for over five years. They need help that only the federal government can provide.

I hope you will engage in a productive exchange with CEP on June 2nd.

CANADIAN LABOUR:

BOYCOTT OLD DUTCH:

Now here's a boycott that actually affects me personally, if only in a minor way. The following item from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) tells of how the Canadian Labour Congress is calling for a nationwide boycott of 'Old Dutch' products. This is in support of workers at the Calgary processing plant, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401. These workers have been locked out since March 29, and the strike/lockout is such that they are calling for public support for their demands. You can find out more about the issue by visiting Local 401's website.

Anyways-how it affects me. Molly is what might be considered a "connoisseur of junk food". Some years back I looked at the listings for Seven 11s in the phone book. I cannot remember exactly how many there were, about 50 to 55, but, to my horror, I could remember being in all of them except perhaps 3. In the case of the three I am willing to admit that my memory isn't perfect, and perhaps I was in them as well. This is what happens when you drive across a city all day to make your living. To this day I am overjoyed if I find a Sweet Marie chocolate bar (much better than O'Henry) or Clamato Juice in a drinkable size on the shelves. Now, 'Old Dutch' chips have disappeared from the shelves in most convenience stores, though they are usually available at the service station co-ops where I buy my gas. To say the least this Canadian brand is far superior to the various American brands, such as 'Frito Lay' that have captured the shelves in the last few years, superior in both texture and taste. The difference is as stark as that between real locally baked bread and the 'Wonder Bread' that has been appearing on various shelves in the past few years.

So, sad to say, I will have to forgo the pleasure of Old Dutch chips until this boycott is over. Most of the other stuff mentioned below is easy. I doubt that the No Name, Safeway Blue Bag or President's Choice cat litter is manufactured in a food plant in Calgary, though, given corporate ethics you just never know. Personally I can do without Old Dutch chips easier than I could do without cat litter. Anyways, enough of this diversion, and feel suitably sorry for Molly. On with the story.

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CLC launches boycott of Old Dutch:
Old Dutch Snack Foods has locked out UFCW 401 members at its Calgary processing plant.
To help pressure the company to settle, the Canadian Labour Congress is asking its affiliated unions - including CUPE - to boycott Old Dutch snack foods and the following brands produced at the locked-out plant:
**President's Choice - Western Grocers
**No Name - Western Grocers
**Great Value - WalMart
**Compliments Value - Sobeys
**Safeway Blue Bags - Safeway
**Co-op Krunchie - Co-op
**Cyclone - Overwaite (Is this really the name ? If it is the marketers deserve the "idiot of the year award-Molly)
"There are 170 families in Calgary who need our help," said Paul Moist. "Affecting sales is one way we can do that."

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And don't forget Old Dutch chips- Molly

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-PAKISTAN/EUROPE:

The international union federation, the IUF, has long been campaigning for decent working conditions and wages for workers employed by the Unilever multinational in Pakistan and India. This year they turned out for the annual Unilever shareholders' meeting in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Here is the story as told by the IUF.

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'Adding Insecurity to Life': Dutch Unions Challenge Unilever Shareholders on Repressive Employment Practices Behind CSR Spin:

Posted to the IUF website 18-May-2009

Share this article.

The Dutch national center FNV and the IUF-affiliated FNV Bondgenoten turned out in force for Unilever's May 14 annual shareholder meeting in Rotterdam, highlighting the squalid social practices behind the company's well-polished "corporate social responsibility" public relations spin.

Unilever workers and support groups were massed at the two meeting entrances, handing out campaign material in support of the IUF's Unilever Pakistan campaign and the newly published "Erratum - Adding Insecurity to Life", an 'alternative annual report' contrasting Unilever practices with the empty claims of the slick company report and massive advertising. Published with the support of the FNV/ Bondgenoten, the UK TUC and Unite and the India Committee of the Netherlands, "Erratum" (available here as a pdf download in English from the FNV website ) makes extensive use of published IUF materials on the systemic abuse of casual labour and union busting in Pakistan but also reports on social conditions on Indian tea plantations supplying to Unilever as well as the company's environmental devastation and mercury poisoning at the site of its former thermometer factory in Kodiakanal, India, among other issues. For the first time, unions forcefully presented evidence to shareholders of massive corporate social irresponsibility at Unilever, prompting awkward questions from the floor. The action, which was accompanied by music and street theater, compelled Unilever corporate management to meet with an IUF/FNV delegation and received wide coverage in the Dutch media.

For the previous day's meeting of Unilever PLC shareholders in London, the IUF-affiliated Unite issued a press release in support of the Pakistan workers' fight for direct, permanent employment.

The latest news from the IUF's campaign for decent work at Unilever Pakistan are available on the Casual-T and LUXurious profits web pages.
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Here, also from the IUF, is more on these workers and their struggles, as well as a online petition that you can sign in their support.

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DECENT WORK NOT DISPOSABLE JOBS:
In 2007, nearly 300 workers at the Unilever factory in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan, after struggling for years to feed themselves and their families on "temporary" contracts, sought permanent employment status and union membership. They were fired in the presence of armed policemen and Elite Troops - and instantly replaced with contract workers performing identical tasks. With the support of the IUF and the National Federation of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Workers, they formed an Action Committee to fight for full reinstatement as directly employed, permanent workers. Their fight for justice continues - and needs your support.

The Unilever workers in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan make some of the company's leading billion dollar "global brands", including Lux and Sunsilk products. These brands, according to Unilever, "are the pulse and heartbeat" of the people of Pakistan. Yet for decades, the company has paid them with the steady destruction of permanent, direct employment. At the plant today there are a small, steadily shrinking group of 145 permanent workers, and some 500 casual workers supplied by dozens of contractors.

Unilever's web site tells us that "The company operates through 4 regional offices, as well as 4 wholly owned and 6 third party manufacturing sites across Pakistan." Hugely profitable Unilever Pakistan claims to have thousands of employees, but the reality is that the company has only 314 employees on direct, permanent contracts in its entire country-wide operation. Unilever has been waging a relentless war on permanent employment, and now relies on a vicious system of disposable jobs - agency workers who can be sent home if there is no work, receive a poverty wage, and enjoy no pension or other benefits. Agency workers can't join a union of Unilever employees, because formally they are not employed by Unilever.

In 2007, a group of 292 "temporary" workers at the Rahim Yar Khan factory challenged the system of disposable jobs. They demanded the right to permanent, direct employment.

These temporary workers had been hired directly by Unilever on renewable 9-month contracts - and should have been made permanent after 9 months of continuous employment, according to Pakistan law. Most of them had worked at Rahim Yar Khan for years. The workers sought membership in the union which helped them fight for their legal right to permanent employment, including filing dozens of cases in the labour court.

Unilever responded by militarizing the plant, filling it with armed police and Elite Troops. The temporary workers were forced to sign their termination letters in the presence of armed police. Within 24 hours, they were replaced by agency contract workers.

Despite the severe difficulties and risks of fighting Unilever in a town it dominates, the dismissed temporary workers bravely continue their fight for justice. They are fighting for the rights and dignity of casual, abused precarious workers everywhere.

Support the Lux workers' struggle for justice and an end to disposable jobs - click here to send a message to Unilever:
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New Management Tricks to Block Negotiation over Mass Firings at Unilever Pakistan:

In 2007, nearly 300 workers at the Unilever factory in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan, after struggling for years to feed themselves and their families on "temporary" contracts, sought permanent employment status and union membership. They were fired in the presence of armed policemen and Elite Troops - and instantly replaced with contract workers performing identical tasks. With the support of the IUF and the National Federation of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Workers, they formed an Action Committee to fight for full reinstatement as directly employed, permanent workers with the right to join the union. Read more.

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No Vacancy' Defense of Disposable Jobs Regime Designed to Block Negotiation:

To support the Rahim Yar Khan Lux workers' fight for justice, the IUF filed a complaint with the OECD, whose Guidelines for transnational companies include adherence to ILO Conventions on the right of workers to organize trade unions and bargain collectively with employers. For a year-and-a-half, Unilever corporate management strongly resisted negotiating a solution to the conflict. Now that negotiations are at last supposed to be proceeding under auspices of the UK government, the company has taken to reshuffling the plant operations in order to thwart the negotiation process. Read more.

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THE LETTER:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to Unilever management.

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I am outraged to learn that 287 workers on temporary contracts at the Rahim Yar Khan factory were fired in October 2007 in the presence of armed police and Elite Troops for seeking to regularize their employment status in conformity with the law, and that they were immediately replaced by casual workers performing the same tasks supplied by a labour contract agency. Shame! Unilever must engage in immediate good faith negotiations with the IUF to ensure that these workers are unconditionally reinstated as permanent, direct employees.
Yours sincerely

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-TURKEY:

SUPPORT WORKERS AT THE MENDERES FACTORY:

The following appeal is from the Clean Clothes Campaign, a coalition that supports workers in the garment and cloth trades worldwide.

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IKEA and Household Retailers Abet Union Busting at Turkish Supplier:

While a serious case of union-busting at a Turkish supplier factory is happening right under their noses, retail giants IKEA, Wal-Mart and Carrefour choose to stand by idly. Other household retail chains such as Otto, Ibena, Target and Kohl's as well as the German textile traders Horizonte have been equally silent about the basic labour right violation against hundreds of workers at their supplier. In addition, working conditions in the factory are unacceptably dangerous.

Support the Turkish union in their struggle to improve labour conditions and safety at this factory. Write letters to IKEA, Wal-Mart Carrefour, Otto, Ibena, and Kohl’s and demand fair working conditions in their supply chain.

Take action now! >>
Background
Menderes Tekstil in South-Western Turkey produces bed linen for the home market and for export. Over the last years, four Menderes workers died due to work-related injuries. In the most recent accident, on November 20, 2008, one employee died when he fell into the funnel of a coal boiler. Workers reported that the boiler had no safety measures to prevent such an accident. After the tragic accident, the factory management reportedly ordered three colleagues of the victim to climb into the funnel to retrieve the body. Again, no safety measures were taken, and the three had no protection against toxic gases inside the boiler. They suffered respiratory poisoning and had to seek treatment in a nearby hospital.

In March 2008, the national textile workers union TEKSIF started organising workers at the factory. Since then, the Menderes management called the union leaders into their offices one by one, and gave them the choice between renouncing the union or being sacked. Turkish law prohibits dismissals or transfers as retribution for union organising.

Still, Menderes Tekstil continues their anti-union campaign. The management has repeatedly threatened workers whom they suspect of being union members, forcing them to leave of the union or to sign documents indicating voluntary resignation. In some cases, workers were assigned to new jobs for which they were not trained or qualified. If these workers refused to renounce their union membership or refused to accept the transfer or dismissal, the management on occasions has gone as far as to harass the affected workers' relatives if they also work at the factory.

In August 2008 workers and union representatives started protests outside the Menderes factory. The protests lasted for 190 days and were aimed at gaining acceptance of their union. Despite these actions, the company has continued to harass the unionists and has refused any dialogue with the union.

Meanwhile, eight court cases of wrongfully dismissed employees are currently before the magistrate. However, the judicial process could take years before producing any verdict.

Over the last years, four Menderes workers died due to work-related injuries.Brand responses
Menderes' main international clients have known about the problems at the factory for months but the only actions they have taken is to deny the problems, conduct investigations while refusing to release the results, or promise to take action on the matter, only to drag their feet. In doing so, they are also not living up to their own ethical codes of conduct.

The CCC and its trade union partners approached Menderes' primary buyer IKEA multiple times over the last months, but the furniture giant has not taken sufficient measures to solve the problems. IKEA commissioned an audit into the labour conditions at Menderes Tekstil, and concluded that there are no major labour problems at the factory. Although the CCC was never given a chance to view the audit report, the campaign has in the past raised serious concerns about the use of industry-commissioned audit reports that often lead to biased conclusions. The situation at Menderes Tekstil is in total contravention to IKEA's own code of conduct.

Carrefour in France and Belgium and Otto, Ibena and Horizonte from Germany initially responded to appeals by the CCC and its union partners to take action on the case. The US-based companies Wal-Mart, Target and Kohl's were similarly approached by our allies of the International Labor Rights Forum ). All have dithered on their course of action for months now, promising measures that seem more aimed at buying time than at effectively dealing with the problems at their Turkish supplier.

The UK-based Mothercare household retailers have taken constructive steps in addressing the problems, but they are not acting with the level of urgency required.

The CCC urges these companies to use their influence and insist that their Turkish supplier enters into a direct dialogue with trade union TEKSIF.
Urgent Action needed
The CCC and TEKSIF demand that Menderes and its buyers ensure:
**reinstatement with compensation and pay-back of salary arrears where appropriate for those workers who are currently engaged in court proceedings against Menderes Tekstil following their dismissal due to union activity;
**acknowledgement of TEKSIF as a legitimate union at your factory and to recognise their right to represent their members in factory matters, and to provide all workers with a guarantee that the company will respect their rights to organise and to bargain collectively.
**involvement of TEKSIF in the discussions around the company’s restructuring plans and the criteria for necessary dismissals.
**review of occupational health and safety measures at both factory plants, as well as a review of certain disciplinary and grievance handling mechanisms;

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THE LETTERS:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letters to various retailers about this Turkish factory's practices.

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Please take action now! Support our action and send letters to IKA, Wal-Mart, Carrefour, Kohl's, Ibena and Otto. See sample letters below....
Dear Madam, Sir,

re.: Menderes Tekstil, Turkey; supply chain; ethical code of conduct.

I am writing to you to express my deep concerns about the working conditions labour-rights situation at one of your suppliers in Turkey, Menderes Tekstil. I understand from the Clean Clothes Campaign that the factory’s workers are being denied the right to associate themselves into a workers’ union, and that the factory management dismisses, transfers and harasses employees who support the workers’ union.

I also read reports that the working conditions at the factory are unacceptably dangerous and harmful, leading to the death of four of Menderes' workers. All this in violation of Turkish law, international labour standards as per the ILO, and your own suppliers code of conduct.

I have been informed by the CCC that their efforts to address these urgent matters with you met with a refusal from your side to take swift and effective action to remedy the situation.

As a consumer and one of your potential clients, I am concerned about the working conditions surrounding the production of the goods you sell. I urge you to take up your supply-chain responsibilities seriously, and to demand from Menderes Tekstil:
**reinstatement with compensation and pay-back of salary arrears where appropriate for those workers who are currently engaged in court proceedings against Menderes Tekstil following their dismissal due to unionisation;
**acknowledgement of TEKSIF as a legitimate union at your factory and to recognize their right to represent their members in factory matters, and to provide all workers with a guarantee that the company will respect their rights to organise and to bargain collectively.
**involvement of TEKSIF in the discussions around the company’s restructuring plans and the criteria for necessary dismissals.
**review of occupational health and safety measures at both factory plants, as well as a review of certain disciplinary and grievance handling mechanisms;
Yours sincerely,
SAMPLE LETTER FOR IKEA

Dear Sir,

re.: Menderes Tekstil, Turkey; supply chain; ethical code of conduct.

I am writing to you to express my deep concerns about the working conditions labour-rights situation at one of your suppliers in Turkey, Menderes Tekstil.

I understand from the Clean Clothes Campaign that the factory’s workers are being denied the right to associate themselves into a workers’ union, and that the factory management dismisses, transfers and harasses employees who support the workers’ union.I also read reports that the working conditions at the factory are unacceptably dangerous and harmful, leading to the death of four of Menderes' workers.

All this in violation of Turkish law, international labour standards as per the ILO, and your own suppliers code of conduct.

I have been informed by the CCC that their efforts to address these urgent matters with you met with a refusal from your side to take swift and effective action to remedy the situation.

I also learned that IKEA commissioned an audit into the labour conditions at Menderes Tekstil, and concluded that there are no major labour problems at the factory. Although the CCC was never given a chance to view the audit report, the campaign has in the past raised serious concerns about the use of industry-commissioned audit reports that often lead to biased conclusions.

As a consumer and one of your potential clients, I am concerned about the working conditions surrounding the production of the goods you sell. I urge you to take up your supply-chain responsibilities seriously, and to demand from Menderes Tekstil:
**reinstatement with compensations and pay-back of salary arrears where appropriate for those workers who are currently engaged in court proceedings against Menderes Tekstil following their dismissal due to unionisation;
**acknowledgement of TEKSIF as a legitimate union at your factory and to recognize their right to represent their members in factory matters, and to provide all workers with a guarantee that the company will respect their rights to organise and to bargain collectively.
**involvement of TEKSIF in the discussions around the company’s restructuring plans and the criteria for necessary dismissals.
**review of occupational health and safety measures at both factory plants, as well as a review of certain disciplinary and grievance handling mechanisms;

In addition to these demands towards the management of the Menderes factory, I urge IKEA to take up the moral commitment it makes in its IWAY code of conduct and not to diminish or lessen orders at Menderes just because of the labour-related problems there. Reduced production or even a closing down of the Menderes factory is not in anybody's interest, and a ”cut-and-run” scenario would not reflect favourably on IKEA's social responsibility profile.

Yours sincerely,

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-PHILIPPINES/CANADA:

CANADIAN TOUR OF FILIPINO LABOUR ACTIVISTS:

The following item is from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and it's about a country wide tour of Filipino labour activists sponsored by CUPE's Global Justice Fund.

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Philippines ‘another Colombia’ for murdered union activists:
BURNABY—Thanks to the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement, not to mention CUPE’s international solidarity projects over the years, most union members today are well aware of the climate of fear and intimidation that haunts every union activist in the South American country.

But human rights abuses, including the murder or disappearance of trade union leaders, may be just as bad—or even worse—in the Philippines, according to a leading Filipino union activist who is touring Canada this month.

Antonio Tinio, national chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), paid a visit to CUPE’s B.C. regional office on Monday, May 11 to share his experiences with CUPE members and staff. Tinio, and another Filipino union activist scheduled to arrive in B.C. on May 14, were on a national tour sponsored by CUPE National’s Global Justice fund.

Privatization gone mad

The portrait Tinio painted of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s administration was one of unbridled privatization in which Filipino workers’ rights are trampled for the sake of maximum foreign investment.

The struggle is especially desperate in the education sector, where tuition fees at the University of the Philippines went up 300 per cent last year alone.

“The slashing of higher education budgets for universities and colleges, and the outsourcing of such services as security, janitorial and food, has been a trend since the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s,” Tinio told the CUPE gathering.

“This period has seen the linking of universities with big corporations. The U of P has leased a lot of land to corporations, and we’re seeing a lot of call centres and business outsourcing within the campus.”

In response to Arroyo’s freeze of school teachers’ wages, union activists are also campaigning to raise those salaries by 75 per cent over three years.

A policy drenched in blood

Between 2001, when Arroyo first came to power, and March 2009, 1,009 unionists and activists have been killed, while another 204 have been victims of “involuntary disappearances,” said Tinio.

“The activists who have been killed come from organized labour, peasant organizations, women, human rights, students, teachers, and other professional organizations.”

The ACT leader said that Arroyo regime has failed to institute substantive reforms recommended two years ago by United Nations’ special rapporteur Philip Alston to put a stop to extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

This verdict was released just a few days ago by Alston himself, providing an update.

Alston’s 2007 report concluded that activists were being targeted by the nation’s military forces.The deaths of three ACT members since the mid-decade have been particularly chilling. One woman, a college professor, was stabbed in 2005, while a male teacher was shot by masked gunmen in 2006 as he was walking home from school. In 2007, a teacher was shot dead in front of his students.

In another case, a 22-year-old substitute teacher was shot dead because she was believed to be the daughter of a rebel leader.

International support makes a difference

Notwithstanding the lack of political reform, Tinio told the CUPE gathering that international pressure on the Arroyo government has gone some way to help reduce the killings and disappearances. Since 2006, an avalanche of e-mails and letters has called for the government to stop the killings, end impunity for the murderers, and support human rights. Since 2006, the numbers have gone from 220 recorded cases of murdered unionists to 94 in 2007 and 64 in 2008.

Tinio concluded that Canadian unionists can help by passing convention resolutions to support ACT’s campaign, by establishing worker-to-worker solidarity missions with the Philippines, and by writing to the Arroyo and Harper governments to demand justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings.

Tinio also hopes to produce a video documentary on human and labour rights in the Philippines, and is soliciting funds for the project.

To contribute to the ACT campaign, visit the Global Justice Fund

AMERICAN LABOUR:

TAKE ACTION ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF MARIA'S DEATH:

One year ago today 17 year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez became another grim statistic in the all too frequent deaths of agricultural workers in the heat of California's fields. Today the United Farm Workers is asking that you remember her death by joining them in pressing the government of California to pass a bill removing some of the impediments to unionization of agricultural labourers in that state. Only strong unions can prevent such unnecessary deaths. Here is the UFW's appeal.

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Take action on the anniversary of Maria Isabel's heat death:
“Maria was a beautiful human being who came to this country with a lot of dreams and the desire to work hard and help her mom and younger siblings, but her dreams were cut short. A year after her passing, the best way to honor her is by making sure farm workers are protected and treated with dignity and respect.” --Doroteo Jimenez, uncle of 17 yr-old Maria Isabel, speaks at a Los Angeles area vigil commemorating Maria's life.(Video)

We want to tell you a story. We wish we could say this story is fictional. It isn't. It's a story of agribusinesses greed and indifference. It’s the story of a young girl whose life was lost before she even had a chance to start living it.

Yesterday, we marked the one year anniversary of when 17-year old Maria Isabel collapsed of heat stroke. The anniversary of her death is tomorrow on on May 16.

Maria collapsed while working for Merced Farm Labor in a vineyard owned by West Coast Grape Farming outside of Stockton, CA. Maria worked for nine hours in temperatures that reached 101 degrees. There was no water nearby. There was no shade.

After about 2 hours of delays, Maria was finally taken to a clinic. Her temperature upon arrival was 108.4 degrees. Maria's heart stopped six times in the next two days before she passed away. Doctors said if emergency medical help had been summoned or she had been taken to the hospital sooner, she might have survived. (click to read Maria's story.)

Governor Schwarzenegger came to her funeral and said words that gave workers hope: "Maria’s death should have been prevented, and all Californians must do everything in their power to ensure no other worker suffers the same fate. We have put in place employer regulations to prevent heat illness, and I cannot say strongly enough that they must be followed...There is no excuse for failing to protect worker safety."

Unfortunately, these were words, like the words said in movies. The state has finally filed charges in Maria's case. This is good. However, violations occur every day and little is done.

Complaints regarding lack of drinking water, shade and work breaks to make use of these simple but lifesaving measures are an everyday occurrence for farm workers (see worker stories). Last year five other farm workers died of heat-related causes after Maria's death.
It's why SB789, CA Employee Free Choice Act for Farm Workers (Steinberg) is so vital. This bill, will make it easier for farm workers to organize and help enforce the laws that California's government cannot enforce. SB789 passed the California state senate and will next be heard in the state assembly and then go to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Please take action today and tell them to pass SB789, a bill that will give farm workers the power to protect themselves.

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THE LETTER:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to members of the California Assembly.

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Today I join with the UFW and thousands of others to mourn the passing of 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez who died one year ago. Maria collapsed on May 14 while working for Merced Farm Labor in a vineyard owned by West Coast Grape Farming outside of Stockton, CA. Maria worked for nine hours in temperatures that reached 101 degrees. There was no water nearby. There was no shade.

After about 2 hours of delays, Maria was finally taken to a clinic. Her temperature upon arrival was 108.4 degrees. Maria's heart stopped six times in the next two days before she passed away. Doctors said if emergency medical help had been summoned or she had been taken to the hospital sooner, she might have survived.

Maria's unnecessary death is not alone. Five other farm workers died of heat related illnesses last summer. Fifteen farm workers have died of heat-related complications since July 2004. The UFW will be conducting vigils on the anniversary of each of their death to keep the memory of these hard working men and women alive and to tell you that enough is enough--farm workers need a tool where they can protect themselves.

The state has finally filed charges in Maria's case. However, violations occur every day and nothing is done. Complaints regarding lack of drinking water, shade and work breaks to make use of these simple but lifesaving measures are an everyday occurrence for farm workers. Last year five other farm workers died of heat-related causes after Maria's death.

Please support SB789, CA Employee Free Choice Act for Farm Workers (Steinberg), which has passed the senate and will next be heard in the assembly. This important bill will make it easier for farm workers to organize and enforce the laws that California's government is not enforcing.

We need your help to do more to prevent unnecessary deaths from occurring this year. Having laws on the books that often are not enforced is not enough. Please pass SB789, a bill that will give farm workers the power to protect themselves.