KMU (Philippines & worldwide): These are some of the trade union and world highlights for September 2012

TU & World Highlights

Philippines

 KMU condemns killing of Pampanga transport leader

http://kilusangmayouno.org/news/2012/09/kmu-condemns-killing-pampanga-transport-leader

 Port workers, urban poor protest demolition plan

http://kilusangmayouno.org/news/2012/09/port-workers-urban-poor-protest-demolition-plan

 Cheap Labor Policy, cause of rising underemployment

http://kilusangmayouno.org/news/2012/09/cheap-labor-policy-cause-rising-underemployment-%E2%80%93-kmu

 Workers storm Congress, press for wage hike, new wage scheme junking

http://kilusangmayouno.org/news/2012/09/workers-storm-congress-press-wage-hike-new-wage-scheme-junking

 Workers slam CHR chair for comments against martial law protests

http://kilusangmayouno.org/news/2012/09/%E2%80%98-living-parody-progressive%E2%80%99-workers-slam-chr-chair-comments-against-martial-law-protes

 Workers storm DOLE, Mendiola to protest new wage system

http://kilusangmayouno.org/news/2012/09/workers-storm-dole-mendiola-protest-new-wage-system

 [Patronage fund for elections] Workers hit Aquino’s huge pork barrel in 2013 budget

http://kilusangmayouno.org/news/2012/09/patronage-fund-elections-workers-hit-aquino%E2%80%99s-huge-pork-barrel-2013-budget

 Workers slam cover-up of oil firms’ crimes

http://kilusangmayouno.org/news/2012/09/workers-slam-cover-oil-firms%E2%80%99-crimes

 Workers picket 3rd Olalia-Alay-ay murder case hearing

http://kilusangmayouno.org/news/2012/09/workers-picket-3rd-olalia-alay-ay-murder-case-hearing

 Workers slam BDO’s P2 withdrawal fee

http://kilusangmayouno.org/news/2012/09/workers-slam-bdo%E2%80%99s-p2-withdrawal-fee

 Colombia

General Motors workers held a hunger strike after the company refused to give compensation to those who acquired health problems on their job at the plant. One of the workers had herniated discs and muscle tears, and has gone through three surgeries.

 Photo: http://www.nydailynews.com

USA

Big Teachers Union Strike in 25 Years . They are back in the classrooms after a seven-day strike. But they are ready to mobilize and fight back. The Chicago teachers’ union is 26,000 members strong. It led one the biggest strikes in US this year. According to Counterpunch, “Such a strike would also have the potential to rejuvenate U.S. labor unions by showing them a way out of the never ending wage and benefit concessions demanded by private and public employers. In fact, the Chicago teachers have the potential to become the most important labor struggle in decades, based on the timing, political context, and national relevance of their fight.”

Read more:

http://www.ctunet.com/blog/advanced-placement

http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/09/03/all-eyes-on-chicago-teachers/

 Photo:http://socialistorganizer.org,http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org

Victory for workers in New York. When the workers originally formed a union the owner said he would shut down the place. The workers called on support from people like Occupy Wall Street to take over the place and build pressure and after about a week after the take over (they called the place „The Worker´s Justice Café“ and handed out coffee and bagels to passers-by) they won.

Read more:

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/09/hot_and_crusty.php

Source: http://blogs.villagevoice.com

Pakistan

300 Workers Pakistani factory were struck by fire believed to supply European market. There was no fire fighting equipment inside the factory. The high death toll has been attributed to the fact that workers were trapped inside the factory. Unions say identification of the dead workers has been hindered by the fact that workers did not have a contract. Clean Clothes Campaign also insists that the fire follows a pattern of negligence occurring not just in Pakistan but throughout the garment industry.

Please sign the petition to make factories safe!

http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=1570

(Reference:Clean Clothes Campaign)

Indonesia

A peaceful protest conducted by 2000 employees of PT Panarub Dwikarya, that produces Mizuno and Adidas shoes, last July was violently dispersed. The employees, who 90 % are women workers, were dispersed by the police, security and hired thugs. 1300 of the workers were forcefully “resigned”. 700 were accepted back, with 0 year status, and humiliated inside the factory. Some were spit on, told to run laps, and there is even a wife and husband told to walk around holding a sign “I will never protest again”.

Please sign the petition:

https://www.change.org/id/petisi/do-mizuno-adidas-know-how-their-shoemakers-are-being-treated

(Reference: GSBI-Gabungan Serikat Buruh Independen or Federation of Independent Trade Union)

Morocco, Tunisia , Egypt

In Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, union leaders and activists were jailed and sacked in brutal attempts to crush independent trade unions.The Moroccan dockers union leader was arrested in Casablanca on false charges. Five members of a union at the Cadbury (Kraft) factory in Egypt were laid-off. Kraft SAIDA union in Tunisia was also laid off after holding a meeting.

Please support the online campaigns:

http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=1564&src=lsmm

http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/campaigns/show_campaign.cgi?c=693

http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/campaigns/show_campaign.cgi?c=689

(Reference: LabourStart)