CLR December Index
Labor Alerts: a service of Campaign for Labor Rights
Campaign for Labor Rights Monthly Index -- 11, 700 Subscribers
Posted December 20, 2001
Table of Contents:
Almond (Thailand)
After almost a year of struggle, Almond Labour Union members can declare
victory! An agreement was reached on December 2nd between Almond management
and ICEM (International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General
Workers' Unions), representing the workers. The Almond workers remained
strong and unified throughout this struggle, even in the face of severe
anti-union intimidation. The settlement provides that: 1) Forty Thai
workers dismissed by Almond last December, including union leaders,
will get their jobs back and will receive full compensation. 2) Their
union will now have full bargaining rights at Almond. The agreement
states, "Within 3 days of receiving a list of demands from the Union
on behalf of its members, the Company will in good faith enter into
meaningful negotiations with the Union." 3) Almond will drop all lawsuits
connected with the dispute. Campaign for Labor Rights asked its Rapid
Action Network and other groups to mobilize in solidarity with the Almond
Union several times over the last five months. First, a letter writing
campaign to Almond's US distributor, Michael Anthony Jewelers, generated
600 letters and emails. Then in October, a letter writing campaign targeting
the Home Shopping Network, which sells Almond jewelry, generated nearly
1,200 letters to that company. Most recently, from November 23-30, Rapid
Action Network groups organized leafleting actions at Kay Jewelers outlets
in 36 cities across the country. Kay Jewelers is the number one retailer
of Almond Jewelry in the US. Many thanks to those of you who have participated
in the various levels of this campaign! Your actions played an important
role in securing this victory as both the Home Shopping Network and
Sterling Jewelers (owners of Kay) responded to your pressure by telling
Michael Anthony to respect the rights of the Almond workers. The settlement
provides for the START of negotiations in the factory -- watch for further
updates on these negotiations and on the implementation of this agreement.
~ For more information, the full text of the agreement, and background
on this struggle, check the Campaign for Labor Rights website: www.clrlabor.org,
and the web site of the Thai Labour Campaign: www.thailabour.org.
PCUN (Oregon)
PCUN is Oregon's union of farmworkers, nursery and reforestation workers;
Oregon's largest Latino organization. NORPAC Foods, is a grower-owned
food processor. The company is comprised of 250 growers in western Oregon
who own and control the $260 million a year company. The NORPAC member
growers have steadfastly refused to negotiate with farmworkers employed
on their farms, much less recognize the farmworkers' union. To get NORPAC
to come to the table, PCUN called for an international boycott of all
NORPAC products in 1992-over nine years ago! CLR joined forces with
PCUN on this boycott in 1998-targeting NORPAC's corporate customers.
Thanks to student and community pressure, several companies have already
agreed to stop using NORPAC products. Those companies include Gardenburger,
Bon Appetite, and most recently ARAMARK. The farmworkers are winning
this long struggle one company at a time. Through speaking tours and
on-campus actions, students will continue to demonstrate their solidarity
with the workers who produce the food they eat by continuing to pressure
the companies that run their dining halls. CLR is planning a speaking
tour to colleges and universities this February. Contact us today if
you want to book a tour stop on your campus or if you want to investigate
your dining hall for NORPAC products.
~For more information, check www.pcun.org,
or contact Campaign for Labor Rights, clr@clrlabor.org.
Choishin and Cimatextiles (Guatemala)
The workers at the Cimatextiles and Choishin factories, both owned by
a Korean-based company called Choi & Shin's, went public with their
effort to form a union at each plant at the beginning of July 2001.
Shortly afterwards, harassment and intimidation of the union supporters
escalated into mob attacks reportedly orchestrated by company supervisors.
The Guatemalan Labor Minister facilitated negotiations between the union
and the company, which resulted in a rapid agreement on July 25th. Despite
this agreement, those who participated in the mob attacks against union
supporters have enjoyed impunity and have not faced appropriate disciplinary
action agreed to by the company and the Guatemalan government. The two
factories produce for Liz Claiborne among other retailers. In August
and again in October, CLR asked you to write letters to Liz Claiborne
urging the company to pressure Choi and Shin's to respect workers' right
to freedom of association. Over 2,300 letters were sent in all (thanks
for sending us copies)! Liz Claiborne initially dismissed the reports
of violence in the factory, but then moved to intervene with its contractor.
After the mob violence, Liz Claiborne took the unusual step of sending
a letter directly to the workers that effectively disputed threats by
local management to close. The letter stated that Liz Claiborne supports
the right of workers to choose to join or to not join a union and, in
an effort to counter threats of the plant closing, that Liz Claiborne
will continue business at the Choishin and Cimatextiles factories as
long as this right is respected. Liz Claiborne has also voiced its support
for sanctions against those who participated in the violent attacks.
On December 6th, as part of a national effort, labor rights supporters
across the US called Guatemalan Consulate offices and the Embassy to
protest the situation at Choi and Shin's. To date workers continue to
report physical and sexual assault, being pressured to resign from the
factory, and threats of blacklisting and factory closure. Participants
of the violent mobs that attacked the unionists on July 18th and 19th
still enjoy impunity.
~For more information, check www.usleap.org,
or contact Campaign for Labor Rights, clr@clrlabor.org.
Mexico: Alcoa Fires Workers to Eliminate
Committee
On August 21, 2001, Arneses y Accesorios de México, a maquiladora subsidiary
of Alcoa Fujikura Ltd., fired 186 workers who participated in a work
stoppage that day. Among them were nine members of a rank-and-file committee
recognized by the company. Alcoa fired at least 50 more workers in the
weeks following the stoppage for being perceived by the management to
sympathize with the workers committee. The rest of the work force inside
the Alcoa plants faces new restrictions, like not being able to leave
the cafeteria area during lunchtime. The fired workers and the Comité
Fronterizo de Obrer@s are alerting national and international labor
organizations of these events so that they may remain attentive to the
development of the struggle, including the lawsuit for reinstatement;
inform their constituents; and, if necessary, lend solidarity in the
ways the CFO may request.
~For more information, contact: Ricardo Hernandez, Mexico-US Border
Program, American Friends Service Committee, rhernandez@afsc.org,
215.241.7132.
More than 25 Companies Boycotting Burma
More than 25 U.S. companies have pledged to avoid business with Burma,
including Wal-Mart, Kenneth Cole, Jones New York, and the latest victory;
Ames! This holiday season, boycott stores that still continue to sell
goods from Burma (Myanmar). As it turns out, while the U.S. government
may be "with" the people of Burma, some U.S. companies are not.
~For more info, check: www.freeburmacoaltion.org
What's Wrong with Forever 21?
What's wrong with F21? Nineteen workers who sewed Forever 21 clothing
in six different downtown Los Angeles sweatshops have not been paid
and are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.
~For more info, check out the Sweatshop Watch website: www.sweatshopwatch.org/gwc
Nike Concedes Victory at MexMode (Kukdong)
Responding to letters from over 6,000 people from 17 countries (thanks
for sending CLR copies of your letters!) Nike has publicly declared
its intent to resume orders with the Mexmode, formerly Kukdong, garment
factory in Atlixco, Mexico. The factory produces sweatshirts for Nike
and Reebok, and licensed Nike sweatshirts for a number of US universities
that have adopted No Sweat purchasing policies. If Nike keeps its promise
to resume placing orders with the factory, possibly in the spring of
this year, the workers' achievement of the only independent union with
a signed collective agreement in a Mexican maquiladora factory will
be secure. The proof of Nike's commitment to not cut and run from the
factory now that the workers have won an independent union will be the
timeliness and volume of orders it places with the factory. Nike campaigners
around the world will be watching.
~For more info contact: Campaign for Labor Rights, clr@clrlabor.org,
202-232-5002.
Guacimal-Cointreau -- Update from Haiti
Rémy Cointreau and the Guacimal management - the Zephir brothers - are
eating away at the workers' salaries and expenses with regard to their
work conditions and social benefits. By postponing the implementation
of recent agreements with workers, the company can continue to pay miserly
wages!
~For more information and background on this campaign: www.gn.apc.org/haitisupport/
Indonesian Workers Face Dismissal
Thousands of workers employed in more than 40 textile companies in Surakarta,
Central Java, face mass dismissal amid decreasing textile orders and
fierce competition with other textile-producing countries, according
to industry executives. Reports from the National Front for Indonesian
Workers' Struggle state that 600,000 in the garment and textile sectors
have been lost since November. These losses are due to a drastic decrease
in exports to the US.
~For more info check: SVI/ GPD Coördination group for Support the People's
Resistance in Indonesia/ Support Movement for Democratization in Indonesia
www.xs4all.nl/~peace
The Taco Bell Truth Tour is back!
The national "Three Days of Action" on the Taco Bell Boycott (Nov.29-Dec.1)
were a huge success! Lively and highly effective actions took place
in more than 40 cities across the country. Help build on this success
by participating in the Taco Bell Truth Tour. Mark your calendars for
March 1-17, 2002! In a cross-country caravan from Immokalee, FL, to
Taco Bell's global headquarters in Irvine, CA, farmworkers, students
and community allies will hit 15 major US cities between March 1 and
17 with the TRUTH about how the fast food giant profits from farmworker
poverty.
~For more information, check: www.ciw-online.org
Tampa strike Update:
Members of Teamsters Local 79 who work at GroupTech in Tampa have been
on strike for eight weeks over affordable health care benefits and unfair
labor practices. Group Tech proposes doubling health care premiums and
also wants to take back a paid holiday as well as five vacation days
from the most senior workers. The company is a division of Sypris Solutions
Inc. It makes advanced electronic hardware used by the U.S. military.
In September GroupTech was awarded a $20 million defense contract.
~For more information contact: Teamsters Local 79 (813) 621-1391.
Fast Track Passes House
Republican deal-makers managed to scrape together a partisan 215-214
victory on Fast Track despite an incredible grassroots campaign against
the legislation. The grassroots movement against Fast Track has succeeded
over the years in reshaping the debate on trade and globalization. We
have our work cut out for us - Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)
here we come!
~For more info on the Fast Track campaign and vote: www.tradewatch.org
DC JwJ Shines Light on Workers' Plights
in Wake of 9-11
On December 3, the Washington D.C. local committee of Jobs with Justice
brought together a panel of elected officials, religious leaders and
other community leaders to hear testimony from displaced workers, union
leaders, and experts in the fields of housing and economics to illuminate
the need for more aid for workers impacted by the events of September
11. Testifiers confirmed that many of the thousands of workers who have
lost their jobs are facing evictions from their homes, utility cut-offs,
no healthcare coverage, no job training, etc. Congresswoman Eleanor
Holmes-Norton delivered an impassioned plea to 'organize hundreds of
people to go down to Congress in the weeks ahead to help me and other
worker friendly policy-makers ensure that workers don't continue left
out in the cold!' The Worker Rights Board issued several recommendations
for Congress and for local and regional officials for further "effort
and exploration" for worker relief.
~For more info, www.jwj.org
The "F.R.E.E.D.O.M." Act
The Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), National Coalition for Dignity
and Amnesty for Immigrants, the Laborers International Union, AFL-CIO,
the Latino Workers' Center in New York, and religious representatives
have presented a legislative proposal to give temporary residency rights
to immigrants who have been working and living in the US for years and
contributing to the well being of the country. This proposal is called
the FREEDOM Act, and the leaders argue that by providing documentation
to immigrants the country will significantly increase homeland security
and economic revitalization.
~For more info, contact FLOC: (419) 243-3456.
Maryland Winning Streak
AFSCME, the largest public employees union, capped off a string of recent
wins among University of Maryland employees with its biggest victory
so far in the campaign on Dec. 11, when the 1,900 workers at University
of Maryland-College Park voted for a voice on the job. The workers include
maintenance, housekeeping, food service and information technology personnel.
Other recent wins include Baltimore City Community College, Morgan State
University, Coppin State College, University College, and Bowie State
College. The campaign builds on legislation passed this spring allowing
Maryland higher education workers to form unions and collectively bargain
contracts.
~For more info, www.afscme.org
Immigrant Rights Resolution Passed
"Let it be resolved that we, as leaders of a country built by immigrants,
hereby endorse the following principles as guidelines for building a
broader legalization program. We urge all others in the community to
uphold these principles as we work together to improve the conditions
for low-wage immigrant workers and their families..." This is part of
a immigrant rights resolution unanimously passed by the Los Angeles
City Council on December 18th.
~For more information, email: chirlaworkersrights@yahoo.com
Violence Against Colombian Trade Unions
Issue #1, By US/Leap
Colombia continues to be the most dangerous country in the world to
be a trade unionist. The number of assassinations of unionists in Colombia
is higher than the rest of the world combined, and the murder rate is
rising. As of November 24, the CUT (Central Unitaria de Trabajadores),
the largest labor confederation in Colombia, reported 15 union members
murdered in October alone, and another 11 in November 2001. In an effort
to make it easier to educate the U.S. labor movement, worker rights
supporters, and the general public of the atrocities happening to our
brothers and sisters in Colombia, the US/Labor Education in the Americas
Project is initiating a Violence Against Colombian Trade Unions Bulletin.
~For more info, contact US/LEAP: 773-262-6502, www.usleap.org
Don't Swallow Their Water Grab
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are aggressively
promoting water privatization in developing countries, opening the door
for huge transnational water corporations to profit from water delivery
and wastewater treatment. Under this new WTO provision, a domestic rule
that protects water as a public service and a human right could be considered
a "non-tariff barrier" to trade and eliminated. So could rules that
limit privatization.
~For more info, contact the 50 Years is Enough Network: 202-IMF-BANK,
www.50years.org
Trade Unionist Hail Honda Recognition
Trade unions in the UK scored a major victory when workers at Honda
used new laws to win the biggest recognition deal of its kind. The vote
has implications for Honda's other overseas subsidiaries that could
strengthen the hand of unions seeking recognition in the US and elsewhere.
Stop Mass Firings of Salvadoran Workers
In the coming weeks the Salvadoran government of President Francisco
Flores plans to use of the tragedy of September 11th to further advance
its policies of corporate globalization by firing 15,000 to 18.000 public
sector workers, the majority of whom are unionized. This union busting
is part of an overall government plan (backed by the U.S. government
and World Bank) to destroy the Salvadoran labor movement and privatize
basic public services like health care, education, and water. The Union
Federation of Public Service Workers of El Salvador (FESTRASPES) has
been at the forefront of resistance and mobilizing against the Salvadoran
government's plans to privatize basic services. On November 21st there
was demonstration of over 6,000 people in San Salvador to demand and
end to these neoliberal policies.
~For more info, Contact CISPES: 212-465-8115, www.cispes.org
SOA Watch Legislative Director Search
School of the Americas Watch is searching for a full-time Legislative
Director for their national office in Washington DC. Resumes will be
reviewed as the office receives them. The deadline to send in resumes
and letters of intent is Friday, January 4th 2002. ~Eric M. LeCompte
SOA Watch Outreach Director mailto:elecompte@soaw.org
Call for Action Feb 1&2 in New York City.
Protest the World Economic Forum in NYC, January 31-February 4, 2002
The World Economic Forum is an annual gathering of the world's richest
and most powerful CEO's and politicians. This year, the gathering is
in New York City. In its mission statement, the WEF claims that it is
committed to "improving the state of the world." In reality, its participants
will come to NYC to make their plans to increase mass layoffs, to slash
education and health services, to reduce wages and working conditions,
to degrade the environment, to wage war on civilians and to assault
the civil rights of all who dare to oppose them.
~For more information: ANSWER@afgj.org
or www.internationalanswer.org
Globalization Workshops by Mexico Solidarity
Network
Corporate Agenda vs. People's Agenda - A Globalization Workshop With
newly developed sections on Militarization and Immigration. Bring this
Popular Education Workshop to your School, Church or Community. ~To
schedule a workshop on your campus or in your community, contact the
Mexico Solidarity Network: 773-583-7728 or 415-621-8100, msn@mexicosolidarity.org
United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS)
New Newsletter
This newsletter, Re:Act, is ready to print out and pass around to other
USAS people or anyone you know who's interested in what USAS is up to.
~For more info, check www.usasnet.org
Fair Trade this Holiday Shopping
The Mexico Solidarity Network and Casa Bonampak, annouce a fair trade
retail store in San Francisco, CA. Casa Bonampak is dedicated to fair
trade with artisans from Latin-America. By promoting socially responsible
gifts they provide consumers with an alternative to products made in
sweatshops and maquiladoras. Casa Bonampak works directly with artisans
in different communities from Oaxaca, Chiapas and Guatemala to provide
continuous employment at a fair wage in the traditional arts. Through
the fair trade products they also provide political and cultural education
about the on going Zapatista movement in Chiapas, Mexico. ~Visit and
Shop Casa Bonampak on the web at: www.casabonampak.com/
National Conference on Organized Resistance
- Jan. 25-27
Last year over 1000 people converged on the American University campus
in Washington, DC to teach and learn some of the many faces of resistance.
This year NCOR will be celebrating its 5th consecutive year, and it's
sure to be one of the best yet! Mark your calendars for January 25-27
for an inspiring and full weekend of teach-ins, lectures, workshops,
sharing, panels, food, community and more.
~For more info, registration and housing, check www.organizedresistance.org
SAF Requests Frequent Flier Donations
Student Action with Farmworkers (SAF) is requesting donations of frequent
flyer miles to support farmworker students from across the country who
wish to participate in SAF's Into the Fields Internship & Leadership
Development Program during the summer of 2002. The students usually
travel on major airlines or their affiliates (United, American, US Airways,
Delta, TWA, and Continental). In order to buy one ticket, the donor
must have a minimum of 25,000 miles. ~If you are able to support a farmworker
student with a gift of frequent flyer miles or a monetary donation,
contact Libby Manly at levante@duke.edu
or 919-660-3652.
Behind the Label -- New Website
BehindTheLabel.org is a multimedia news magazine and on-line community
covering the stories and people of the global clothing industry - the
hidden stories of the millions of workers around the world who make
our clothes, the people who care how their clothes are made and the
multinational corporations behind the labels. Go to Behindthelabel today
to send a Holiday card to your favorite corporate sweatshop offender,
or download a Gap leaflet to participate in the UNITE! Global Justice
for Garment Workers campaign. ~Check it out at:www.behindthelabel.org
"A New Giant Sucking Sound" by William
Greider
China, with its very "business friendly" environment, sucks jobs and
investments out of other countries, such as Mexico, which are also facing
the effects of the US economic recession - and, as a result, accelerating
the "race to the bottom." ~For full article: www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20011231&s=greider
"Maquila Melee: Death Squads and Plant
Closings Threaten Workers Rights in
Guatemala" by Tula Connellin 27 Guatemalan apparel plants were closed
between January and August 2001, and the situation against independent
unions and other human rights groups in Guatemala is increasingly getting
worse. ~For full article: www.inthesetimes.com/issue/26/03/news2.shtml
"Confessions of a Sweatshop Inspector"
by Joshua Samuel Brown
Garment workers in Mainland China are usually in the 16 - 24 age group,
but many smaller factories in Taiwan employed older women. Halfway over
the Pacific it dawns on me that I have no idea what my job is. It's
October 15, 1998 and twelve hours ago, I was in the southern California
offices of an independent monitoring company that inspects factories
for safety violations and human rights abuses throughout the world.
I had been hired over the phone a few days before. My sole qualification
for the job? I speak Chinese and have a friend already working for the
company." ~For full article: www.monitor.net/monitor/sweatshop/index.html
"Disney Pays Back Wages For Contractor"
by Steven Greenhouse
The Walt Disney Company paid $903,000 to the State of California this
week to cover back wages for a contractor who violated child labor,
minimum wage and overtime laws while producing toy tiaras and wands.
~For full New York Times Article www.nytimes.com/2001/12/15/national/15DISN.html?todaysheadlines
How Pro-Textile Votes Held Sway in Fast
Track Passage
House members acted to protect an industry hit hard by imports in granting
Bush a major victory with Fast Track. By Warren Vieth, L.A. Times ~For
full article: www.latimes.com/la-000097354dec07.story
"Europe Adopts American Model" by Edmund
Andrews
"When it comes to laying off workers, European executives have long
considered themselves the antithesis of American business. Layoffs and
hire-and-fire tactics have been regarded as shameful. By law and tradition,
companies are expected to be socially responsible, negotiating with
unions over job reductions and making outright dismissals of workers
only as a last resort. Not anymore..." ~For full article: www.nytimes.com/2001/12/01/business/01JOBS.html?ex=1008270141&ei=1&en
Please send entries for next month's edition of Campaign for Labor
Rights' Monthly Index to: clr@clrlabor.org
In Solidarity,
Campaign for Labor Rights Staff
202-232-5002
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