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04.12.2000
e-Bulletin Issue: 11-2000
UNInet.news 2000 - 11
- Labour news from UNI global union - for trade unions in a global services economy. -


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Indian IT workers start to get organised
A UNI initiative has helped prompt new moves to organise professionals in India’s fast growing IT industry. UNI-sponsored meetings in Bangalore and Hyderabad led to decisions to set up an IT Forum in each of the two cities - where 100,000 IT professionals work. UNI has pledged help for their work and further moves are now planned for Mumbai and Chennai. “This could serve as a model for rapidly developing IT centres elsewhere in the world,” said UNI’s Gerd Rohde. (Contact: colombo@union-network.org and gerd.rohde@union-network.org

On-line rights at Brussels conference
UNI-Europa co-sponsored a two-day conference on on-line rights for on-line workers in Brussels with the Royal Flemish Academy for Science and Arts. Union members, academics and lawyers examined developments across Europe in the first ever trade union meeting held in Brussels’ historic Academy building. UNI-Europa called for an end to monitoring of employees’ e-mails in a pre-conference media release. (Contact: gerd.rohde@union-network.org)

New moves over sacked Zimbabwe bank strikers
A new appeal to Standard Chartered chairman Sir Patrick Gillam in London has been made over the unresolved case of hundreds of the bank’s Zimbabwe workers sacked for going on strike three years ago. While legal moves to declare the sackings illegal drag on in Zimbabwe, UK affiliate Unifi has made a new appeal to Sir Patrick. “It’s in the interests of all parties to settle this matter at an early date,” says Unifi General Secretary Ed Sweeney in his letter. (Contact: christine.asmussen@union-network.org)

Unions build on partnership with Telefonica
UNI unions representing workers in fast growing Telefonica have extended their global agreement with the company. At a meeting with Telefonica’s President César Alierta in Sao Paulo, Brazil, it was agreed to give Telefonica on-line rights and access to a stock options programme.
The company has already agreed to core labour standards and to deal with unions wherever they operate in the world. They have also agreed to annual meetings with the unions to discuss future plans and to consult on matters affecting employees. (Contact: neil.anderson@union-network.org)

US unions in moves on new economy
The International Herald Tribune recently highlighted work by US affiliates in organising workers in the new economy. The CWA is seeking to organise 400 of Amazon.com’s customer service workers in Seattle and the UFCW is seeking to organise more than 5,000 workers at eight distribution centres used by Amazon. Amazon Chief Executive Jeff Bezos remains anti-union. (Visit our affiliates’ sites: www3.cwa-union.org and www.ufcw.org)

Child labour Convention comes into force
The ILO’s new Convention outlawing the worst forms of child labour came into force on November 19. More than a quarter of the ILO’s 175 member states have ratified the convention. Countries now have to gear their policies towards the effective abolition of child labour. The ILO estimates that 250 million children aged 5-14 world-wide are victims of child labour - half of them working full time. (Visit the ILO website: www.ilo.org)

Mobile phone companies targeted in Europe
UNI Telecom's Organising Committee has launched an organising campaign aimed at mobile telephone companies across Europe. Affiliates have been surveyed and targets drawn up to increase membership, establish a trade union network and get across the message of the value of trade union membership. Among the issues in the new mobile phone companies already identified are working hours, pay, training, job security and management style. Activities are planned across Europe over the next year. (Contact: luis.neves@union-network.org)

World AIDS Day
Unions are making the fight against AIDS a priority, says the Brussels-based International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. There are about 35 million people globally living with HIV or AIDS today. UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot says the pandemic cannot be fought with drugs alone – it has to involve the whole of society. The ICFTU has published a lot of its material on AIDS on the Internet. ICFTU-Afro has launched a programme of action.
(See http//www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991211403)

Cash in transit strike
All cash in transit movements in Luxembourg were halted by a week-long strike prompted by the killing of a union member. The action hit the major operators - Brink's, Group 4 Falck and Securicor. Solidarity messages went out after fears that some companies might seek to break the strike by using crews and vehicles from neighbouring countries. Prompt solidarity messages helped in securing increased security measures to protect cash-moving workers. (Contact: bob.ramsay@union-network.org)

Indian postal workers give strike notice
More than 500,000 Indian postal workers have given strike notice over pay and conditions from December 5. The strike involves three federations of postal workers. Union officials report a good response to the strike call from their members and recently visited UNI’s offices in Colombo. (Contact: colombo@union-network.org)

ICFTU visit to protect Venezuelan union rights
A high level delegation from the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions has been visiting Venezuela in a last ditch move to head off plans to dismantle the country’s trade union movement. A recent meeting of the ICFTU World Executive in Brussels warned that the move is “reminiscent of the darkest days of Latin America’s military regimes”. (Contact: press@icftu.org)

UNI on-line 2001: Indian film federations get computers
To help communication UNI Media & Entertainment and FNV Mondiaal have provided computers for five Indian film federations - KFAWT Bangalore, FEFSI Chennai (Madras), APFIEF Hyderabad, FCTWEI Calcutta, and FWICE Mumbai (Bombay). UNI-Asia & Pacific's Basil de Silva took on the responsibility to set up the PCs and introduce them to the users and UNI Deputy General Secretary Philip Bowyer took part in the introduction ceremonies in Bangalore and Chennai. (Contact: jim.wilson@union-network.org)

Support for campaign on resale rights
The right to give visual artists a share in the re-sales of their works received a boost from a recent decision by the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee. The Committee has objected to a proposed threshold for the new resale right proposed by the European Commission of 4000 euros. This would have excluded about 90% of the art market and would have badly hit new and less well known artists whose work commands lower prices. The Committee has proposed amending the threshold to 1000 euros. UNI’s Media and Entertainment Sector wants countries to keep the right to even lower thresholds if they choose. (Contact: jim.wilson@union-network.org)

Unions protest ICANN decision
Unions have protested at the decision by the Internet domain regulator ICANN not to agree to the creation of the .union address domain. The body tied on a vote over .union (in its multi-lingual versions) in spite of an earlier recommendation. The global unions consortium paid a non-refundable fee of $50,000 for the privilege of having ICANN consider - and fail to approve - their proposal. The campaign goes on. (Contact: neil.anderson@union-network.org)

Social dialogue in banks
Bank employers and unions of the European Union recently organised their first ever forum in Budapest over social dialogue and industrial relations in financial institutions. It’s the first of a series of meeting in countries who have applied to join the EU. "The EU is not just about trade and money, it has a human dimension as well. Dialogue between unions and the employers is an important issue in the enlargement process of the EU,” UNI’s Christine Asmussen told the media after the Budapest meeting. Employment in banks in Hungary has dropped from 40,000 to 25,000 in five years and further job losses are feared – though some new jobs may be created by new services in an enlarged EU. (Contact: christine.asmussen@union-network.org).

UNI in symposium on Global Reporting
UNI’s representative in Washington, Jim Sauber, recently joined dozens of Non Governmental Organisations, environmentalists and other trade unionists from 25 countries at a Washington symposium held by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The GRI is an effort to encourage performance reporting by multinationals on the economic, environmental and social impacts of their activities. The Initiative was launched in 1997 by a number of NGOs in partnership with the UN Environment Program. Unions backed the Initiative, but warned that a system of voluntary reporting was no substitute for integrating enforceable labour rights into the global trading system and the major international financial institutions. (Contact: jim.sauber@union-network.org)

Swazi appeals against repression
UNI affiliates in Swaziland are appealing for international solidarity against the political repression of trade union leaders who are fighting for democratic reforms, respect of labour laws and human rights in their country. The appeal was made by Cam Mdlalose, general secretary of SPTWU; Patrick Hlope, President of SUFIAW; and Zwide Mkhatshwa, SCAWU national negotiator. For more on this and on other solidarity campaigns see our regular Solidarity Bulletin. (Contact: solidarity@union-network.org)

Russian unions campaign on new code
Unions in Russia are campaigning for an improved labour code, due to be voted on by the Duma on December 21. A new code proposed by the government would reduce labour standards. A counter proposal has come from 22 Duma deputies linked to the trade union movement. In the run up to the Duma debate the unions plan a media campaign in support of the counter proposal, protest actions across Russia and a picket of Moscow on the 21st. Duma deputies will also be mailed and picketed. (Contact: olga.vinogradova@union-network.org)

Europe-wide deal near on tele-work guidelines for Telecoms
A draft text has been agreed by Telecom union and employers for Europe-wide guidelines on tele-work. It could lead to a voluntary code which takes into account national laws and collective bargaining practices. The aim is to fulfil the pledge in the joint statement that emerged from the Lisbon Summit. The parties agree that tele-work should be organised and introduced as a human and socially meaningful working method. Final discussions will now cover key issues for implementation – including monitoring, access to trade union information, training, health and safety and data protection. (Contact: luis.neves@union-network.org)

Big union merger in Finland
A merger has led to the creation of Finland’s second biggest union with more than 200,000 members - the Service Union United PAM. It involves our affiliates the union of commercial employees LA and the union for specialised occupations Tekeri with the hotel and restaurant workers HRHL and the caretakers union KTTL. The media launch highlighted members as “incredibly wonderful people”. Maj-Len Remahl, UNI Vice President, was elected President of PAM. UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings attended the merger conference. (Visit the new union’s web site on www.pamliitto.fi)

Unions protest in Philippines
Unions in the Philippines have been adding their voice to calls for the resignation of President Estrada – who has been involved in a corruption scandal. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) says that the President has undermined the office of President in the scandal which is linked to illegal gambling. The TUCP and the Labour Solidarity Movement led a successful national day of protest on November 14.

New round tables for finance industry in EU applicants
More meetings are being arranged with finance unions and employers in “first wave” applicant countries for EU membership. This follows the successful first conference in Budapest in November involving the social partners in Hungary along with union and employer representatives from the EU and the European Commission. Other meetings are due shortly in Prague and Poland. Further meetings will be in Slovenia (next September), Estonia (next October) and Malta (next November). The Round Tables will be followed by a major 2-day conference with social partners from all candidate countries in Brussels at the end next year. The aim is to exchange information on dialogue and industrial relations and help those involved for EU membership. (Contact: christine.asmussen@union-network.org)

Postal round table on training
The first round table on training and the development of skills was held by the European Committee for Social Dialogue for the postal industry in Brussels on November 29. The meeting involved European unions and employers and UNI-Europa Postal. The aim is to develop employability for postal workers, training to meet new technology and adapting to change. (Contact: john.pedersen@union-network.org)

IT employability target in finance
European unions and employers in the finance industry have agreed to press on with their IT-Employability project. A study of experiences of training programmes is being undertaken by Professor Prosperetti who is drawing up a questionnaire. (Contact: christine.asmussen@union-network.org)

Swiss Bank employees demand fairness
Swiss banking union ASEB is locked in difficult negotiations with the major banks. The employers want to restrict negotiations to minimum salaries and want more flexible pay structures. ASEB is concerned about overtime and the excessive hours of staff and has launched an inquiry on working time. UBS made $2.1 billion profit in the third quarter and there are two Swiss banks in Europe’s top five. Work pressures on staff have increased in recent years as profits boom. Marie-Françoise Goy, ASEB General Secretary, at the union’s conference in Bern, called for a major organising drive. UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings addressed the conference. (Visit ASEB’s web site: www.sbpv.ch)

Graphical moves on collective bargaining
Greater co-ordination and information on collective bargaining emerged from the recent meeting of UNI-Europa Graphical’s annual conference on collective bargaining, held in Strasbourg. A guideline for pay claims of inflation plus national productivity emerged along with a working year target of 1750 hours. It was agreed to examine the issue of overtime with a view to drawing up future guidelines. (Contact: francois.ballestero@union-network.org)

New Zealand affiliate attracts big guns
New Zealand affiliate Finsec aroused the wrath of ASB bank with their new web site for ASB workers. A five-page document from lawyers threatened the wrath of the bank over the domain name chosen – www.asbbankunion.org.nz. Declaring no contest and acknowledging the honour of such attention Finsec registered a new name - and took full advantage of the media opportunity. ASB are one of two New Zealand banks who refuse to negotiate collective agreements. (Try the new ASB workers’ site - www.bankunion.org.nz - or the union’s main site at www.finsec.org.nz)

USDAW: new web site
USDAW the UK shop workers’ union, launched their new web site on November 28 - www.usdaw.org.uk. The web site is a part of the restructuring plans for the union, involving significant investment in new offices, organising staff and services. UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings recently met with USDAW’s General Secretary Bill Connor at the union’s office. (Visit: www.usdaw.org.uk)

UNI meets Deutsche Telekom CEO
UNI President Kurt van Haaren and UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings recently met the Chief Executive of Deutsche Telekom Ron Sommer in Bonn. Deutsche Telekom is one of the world’s largest Telecom companies, employing over 200,000 staff. Significant international expansion has taken place and authorities are still vetting the take-over of Voicestream in the USA. The talks ranged over the UN’s Global Compact, where Telekom was one of the signatories, the introduction of a European works council structure and a project to support the UNI on-line initiative to hook up all affiliates to the Internet by September next year.

Working Group for Telecoms in Central & Eastern Europe
A special Working Group for Central and Eastern European countries is being set up by telecom unions and employers. The first group taking part will be Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia and Slovenia. Other countries may be added to the list, depending on the budget available in the Commission with the ultimate objective of involving all 11 applicant countries. The aim is to help integrate applicant countries into the European Telecom Social Dialogue and unions into the European work of UNI-Europa Telecom. A special monthly Telecoms Newsletter is being launched to cover major developments in the region (in English, French and Russian) with the help of UK affiliate Connect. (Contact: luis.neves@union-network.org)

UNI Liaison Committees grow - Italy signs up
UNI has welcomed the creation of a Liaison Council for our 14 Italian affiliates. Italian unions saw the trend toward convergence several years ago and important mergers in the graphical, media, post and telecommunication sectors have already occurred. UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings met with all affiliates in Italy in early November. (Contact: philiip.jennings@union-network.org)

Croatian Graphical Workers at 130
In Zagreb in November UNI affiliate the Graphical Union of Croatia celebrated its 130th Anniversary in a ceremony attended by 200 guests, Union President Stjepan Kolaric unveiled a new book on the history of the union. The union was founded in 1877 following a 20-year recognition struggle. The first strike of typographers took place in 1872. The union has long international traditions having signed a co-operation agreement with typographers in Stuttgart in 1883. Today there are 18,000 graphical workers in Croatia and 12,000 are organised. The union is an active member of the UNI Graphical Sector. René van Tilburg and Philip Jennings addressed the meeting. (Contact. Uni-graphical@union-network.org)

Death of former FIET General Secretary
Former General Secretary of UNI founding partner FIET, Erich Kissel, has died at the age of 86. Erich was elected at the 12th FIET World Congress in London in 1958 and served as FIET General Secretary until 1973. He helped make FIET a globally representative organisation for white-collar workers with membership trebling to six million. In 1964 he moved the head office from Amsterdam to Geneva, where FIET for the first time owned the office from which it operated. His lasting contribution to the international was the foundation of the regional organisations for the Americas (1970), Europe (1972) and Asia (1973).

UNI affiliates meet in Croatia
First moves to set up a UNI liaison committee in Croatia were taken at a recent meeting of all UNI affiliates there. UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings discussed future co-operation in Croatia where major democratic changes have taken and economic reconstruction is underway. Unemployment stands at over 20% with some 120,000 people working in the informal sector, privatisation plans loom, bankruptcies are at an all time high and, amidst widespread economic misery, attempts to cut salaries. Affiliates have asked UNI to protest to the IMF at their policies. EU integration is a key issue and the meeting coincide with the EU Summit in Zagreb. François Ballestero of UNI-Europa Graphical also took part. (Contact: philip.jennings@union-network.org)

Croatia Post and Telecoms Unions: no to wage cuts
Croatian Post and Telecoms union is ready for strike action. The government is seeking to impose across the board wage cuts of 30%. UNI has supported the union’s claim for the cut to be withdrawn and for the terms of the collective agreement to be respected and for negotiations to take place. It is an example of the IMF policy to curb wages being applied in practice.

Bank of England sued over contract changes
UK affiliate Unifi has taken the Bank of England to an employment tribunal following the introduction of new contracts. Six staff – including secretaries and analysts - refused to sign inferior new contracts and were sacked. Unifi is challenging the legality of the sacking procedure and the six also plan industrial tribunal claims for unfair dismissal. (Contact: @unifi.org)

Swiss Communications’ Union in militant mood
The Syndicat des Communications who represent post, telecoms and IT workers in Switzerland, recently held their Congress in Davos. The union is fighting to maintain the public character of post and telecoms in Switzerland. As the conference opened the governments auction of Universal Mobile Telephone Service (UMTS) licenses collapsed in the face of rapid corporate manoeuvrings. Days before the auction Vodafone took a 25% stake in Swisscom. The government had been hoping for 2-3 billion Swiss francs to be generated from the auction. The union opposed the auction and will continue their campaign for the government to maintain its majority holding in Swisscom. UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings addressed the conference. (Contact: zentralsekretariat@syndicom.ch)

Russian unions join ICFTU
Three major Russian trade union groups have been accepted into affiliation to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. The applications were approved at a recent meeting of the ICFTU World Executive. Unions in Georgia and Azerbaijan also joined. The moves end cold war hostilities between the trade union movement in the then Soviet Union and the ICFTU.

Obituary: Rüdiger Sielaff
Rüdiger Sielaff from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) died in early November. He had worked since 1966 in FES which collaborates with UNI on a number of projects in the developing world. His last position had been as head of the newly created department for Middle East and North Africa. Hans Schwass, Assistant Secretary, represented UNI at the memorial service. Rüdiger’s work and life was dedicated to working for social justice, especially for people in developing countries in Asia which had become his second home, said Hans.



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