Workers in Haiti to Begin Mediation!

information in this alert is supplied by the Solidarity Center (AFL-CIO); for background info , please see http://www.campaignforlaborrights.org/alerts/2004/dec06-grupom.htm and http://www.campaignforlaborrights.org/alerts/2004/oct28-haiti.htm
Posted December 16, 2004

This is a crucial juncture in the mediation process between Grupo M and the workers' union, Sokowa, along with its trade union federation, Batay Ouvriye . It is time to remind Grupo M's customers and financier that we are here, we are watching and we are aware of the demands of Sokowa and Batay Ouvriye as they sit down at the negotiation table to discuss the reintegration of the workers fired on June 11, 2004 .

ACTION

Write a joint letter to these three entities to ask them to use their influence to affect a positive outcome in the mediation between workers at the Codevi Free Trade Zone and Grupo M. Please find a Sample Letter below.

Michael Kobori
Director, Director of Global Code of Conduct
Levi Strauss
Fax: (415) 501-1485
Email: MKobori@levi.com

Levi Strauss has acknowledged the importance of a timely resolution of the reinstatement of the approximately 300 workers laid off on June 11, 2004 . In early August 2004, Levi' s even went as far to set " milestones" for steps along the way and to state that it would spread out the process of restoring orders to Grupo M in order to continue to use orders as positive re info rcement in the mediation process. Depending on the results of mediation, Levi's could either increase orders as a reward for accomplishing the milestones or remove orders as a penalty for non-compliance.

R. Henry Kleeman
Vice President, Deputy General Counsel And Business Practices Officer
Sara Lee Corporation
Fax: 312 345-5730
Email: hkleeman@saralee.com

Sara Lee Corporation, which sourced its Hanes t-shirts at Codevi until July 2004, has stated that it is open to reinitiating a business relationship with Grupo M for production in Haiti upon a stabilization of labor-management relations. The goals of mediation, i.e. the return of those workers who want to work at Codevi and the establishment of a conflict resolution mechanism, can be supported by Sara Lee's constructive engagement in the mediation process. Specifically, in the case that these goals are met, we strongly encourage Sara Lee to place orders at Codevi with Grupo M once again, but if the mediation process does not result in these concrete outcomes, we fully support Sara Lee's decision to hold its orders in suspension.

Mark Constantine
International Finance Corporation, World Bank
Fax: (202) 974-4384
Email: Mconstantine@ifc.org

The World Bank' s International Finance Corporat ion e (IFC), as primary lender to Grupo M for the company' s recent business development, has committed to support the mediation process as a mechanism for defining the modalities of reinstatement for the fired workers, and the creation of an environment of respect and increased trust between Grupo M and the union.

Sample Letter:

I, as a member of the global worker rights community, would like to address you about the mediation process between Grupo M and the representatives of the workers of Codevi, the local union at the export processing zone, Sokowa, and its trade union federation Batay Ouvriye . Although full-fledged mediation is not yet underway, all indications are that both parties are ready to begin the process in earnest and are eager to resolve significant outstanding issues that have prevented the establishment of constructive labor-management relations at Codevi to date.

At least 300 workers have been without work for the past six months , as a direct result of their legal activities to organize a union at Codevi . These workers and their families have gone without any reliable income for food, medicine or other basic necessities, such as schooling. Their strong will and spirit to struggle to make Codevi a better place to work for all of Grupo M' s employees is all the more striking in this holiday season, when many around the world are celebrating and indulging.

The International Finance Corporation, as a primary lender to Grupo M in this venture, has a responsibility to ensure that workers' rights are respected there. Levi Strauss and Sara Lee Corporation, as current and former buyers, can constructively engage in the mediation process and use their influence to gain compliance with any agreement that is reached. For these reasons, I ask that the IFC, Levi Strauss and Sara Lee use their leverage positively and dedicate all resources and energy to ensure that:

• Full technical and logistical support be provided to the mediation team.
• All workers who want to return to work from the group fired on June 11, 2004 will be reinstated in a non-discriminatory manner and be back on the job on January 3, 2005. W orkers already graduated from the Codevi training school will not be placed under training again. Workers will be compensated for their period of unemployment.
• A conflict resolution procedure for Codevi that formally includes union representatives is created and initiated as of January 3, 2005 .

A clear indication from Levi Strauss and Sara Lee on regarding your plans to contribute to the meaningful outcome of the mediation process would be very valuable to the global worker rights community in helping to establish next steps for our support of the workers at Codevi and their chosen representatives. I hope that such an update will be promptly communicated to the Worker Rights Consortium. I will follow the progress of this situation through the WRC.

Sincerely,

[your name]