americas info Electronic Bulletin
33 chilean miners trapped at a depth of 700 meters underground are alive!
Urgent! Copiapó. The 33 miners trapped at a depth of 700 meters underground in a mine in the North of Chile have all survived; they have been trapped for 17 days deep underground, the crews drilled probes in the 10b shaft, and succeeded in sending down a probe deep into the collapsed mine which came back with a historic handwritten note, a message from the miners saying ”all 33 of us are safe inside the shelter”. The Hope camp (name given by the miner’s relatives) is filled with joy and excitement. The relatives are overjoyed; they hug one another and cry. The news spreads like wildfire. The physical rescue might take more than 100 days, but now starts the process of sending them food to keep them alive until the day of the final rescue. UNI americas shares the happiness and joy of the Chilean people and especially the miners’ relatives who have been an example of hope and courage nobody will ever forget. Who said that everything is lost?. Read More>>>
Contact: raul.requena@uniglobalunion.org
UNI in the struggle for the defence of Human Rights in Guatemala
Guatemala City. On July 28th and 29th, 2010, colleagues from union organisations from graphic, electricity and finance sectors affiliated to UNI, held a meeting to develop a common programme for the Human Right’s Network in that country. A representative from the National Union of Building workers, affiliated to the International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (BWI) also attended the meeting. The event started with an evaluation of the sensitization campaigns carried out during 2010, where visual information was provided on the importance of human, labour and union rights. The following commitments were established:
v To provide information to UNI Americas Solidarity Web site.
v To create a database of UNI’s organisations.
v To execute the guidelines to develop an information policy on this subject.
v Coordinators were designated to carry out electronic contact with web sites dealing with the defence of human, labour and union rights.
v National affiliates will develop joint activities to commemorate the “International Human Right’s Day”.
To support SITRADEORSA electricity union’s colleagues permanent struggle against the company GAS Natural-FENOSA and the unionisation campaigns and reinforcement of collective bargaining in America Movil and DHL. As a final conclusion, it was agreed to reactivate the Liaison Committee, which will celebrate its constitutive meeting on September 2010. Read More>>>
Contact: marvin.largaespada@uniglobalunion.org
SITAG: The Challenge of equal opportunities
Mexico DF. On July 30th, 2010 SITAG, the Industrial Union of Graphic Arts Workers of the Mexican Republic, carried out a seminar on equal opportunities and against discrimination It was attended by 39 participants, 32 women and 7 men from the graphic sector coming from Toluca, Querétaro and DF. Female colleagues presented their demands and necessities, reaffirming their commitment with the union and their unyielding will to work for its reinforcement, and to achieve the incorporation of their demands in the union’s daily agenda. The journey was concluded in an atmosphere of solidarity and commitment and with the conviction that the union belongs to everybody; that equal opportunities are achieved by breaking through cultural barriers, and conquering spaces of representation where union policies are elaborated. Read More>>>
Contact: marvin.largaespada@uniglobalunion.org
Too Big Not To Organize
Boston. Through the blare of screeching feedback from portable translation headsets and microphones, unionized bank workers from Brazil, England, Chile, Germany, and Uruguay are encouraging American workers to undertake an unprecedented campaign against a common enemy: Grupo Santander, the global banking giant which last year took control of Sovereign Bank. The largest bank in the Euro-zone, where it is based, Santander is the world's eighth largest banking company by market capitalization. While the company is very good at generating profits around the world (it's the world's fourth largest bank by profits), this international meeting is focusing on something else: how the bank's new U.S. branches might become as unionized as branches in Europe and Latin America. Read More>>>
Contact: marcio.monzane@uniglobalunion.org
Initiatives against violation of Human Rights in the Americas
Bogota. The workshop of the Human Right’s Network was carried out On July 28th, 29th and 30th, 2010. It was organised by the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas, CSA, for Latin American union centrals. Human Rights’ representatives of the union centrals CUT Peru, CUT Brazil, CGT Guatemala; CAS Dominican Republic, CTP Paraguay, CTA Argentina, ASI Venezuela and the Colombian union centrals CUT, CTC and CGT attended the meeting. A representative from the PSI; Eduardo Rodríguez from ILO, and Leonor Sierra from UNI Colombia were also present. The objective of the event was to revise and adjust commitments in the conformation of the network and the role of the ITUC, TUCA, affiliated organisations, to build alliances with the GUFs, to determine the responsibilities of the continental legal team in the frame of the network, apart from elaborating a lobby and action strategy before the Inter American Commission of Human Rights, IACHR, and the development of the Action Plan 2010 – 2012. Read More>>>
Contact: leonor.sierra@uniglobalunion.org - marvin.largaespada@uniglobalunion.org
Protection and improvement of the worker’s health in the region
Buenos Aires. With the aim of protecting and improving the workers’ health, the Regional Secretary of UNI Americas, Raul Requena, together with the young workers of UNI Argentine Network, participated in a new work meeting with the Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development (SE& SD) of that country, Dr. H. Bibiloni, and with representatives of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). The meeting, celebrated in the framework of the collaboration agreement subscribed between UNI and the SE& SD was focused in the search of synergies and common workspaces that may enable the development of programmes of reinforcement and management of labour health which the PAHO and the National School of Labour Medicine of the Carlos III Institute from Spain are planning to promote in the continent. Read More>>>
Contact: Juan Martín Sánchez jmsanchez@redsocialfuva.org.ar
5000 Chilean Postal workers on indefinite strike
Santiago. From midnight on August 6th, postal workers in Chile initiated an indefinite strike after the failure of collective bargaining with the company. This was confirmed by Guillermo Flores, President of the National Union of the Chilean Postal Company (SINTECH), who also declared that a 92% of the 5 thousand workers throughout the country supported this mobilization. Read More>>>
Contact: cenise.monteiro@uniglobalunion.org
UNI americas with active participation in the IV Americas Social Forum
Asunción. The IV Americas Social Forum will take place Between August 11th -15th in the city of Asunción, Paraguay, an instance promoting why the utopia of Other America progresses like a fabric knitted by men and women, young and adults from rural, indigenous, afro descendants, workers, neighbours, students and intellectual movements, from the North and the South, with all the complexity of collective memory: pain and oppression, hope, resistance, personal knowledge, forcing its way through a deep systemic crisis, unleashing new offensive actions from the ones concentrating economic, political and military power. This continental event will be dealing with 5 thematic axes, thematic axis 1 is about “scope and challenges of the changing process in the hemisphere: post-neoliberalism, integration, socialism, Good Living /Living Well and civilising changes” is the key axis for the celebration of the “Union forum of the Americas”, promoted by the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA/ITUC). Read More>>>
Contact: jose.molina@uniglobalunion.org
Union Forum of the Americas receives UNI Americas’ proposals
Asunción. During the Americas Union Forum, the attendants could learn and share UNI Americas Breaking Through proposal. More than 300 people representing most of the countries of the Americas could receive, the proposals and reflections of different union organisations, and also their perspective as regards human rights and environmental issues presented during that day. In the morning, a clear and detailed exposition of the content of UNI Americas’ proposal was offered, highlighting the fact that UNI was the only Global Union Federation to be present at the Forum and to expose a work proposal. The necessity of permanently working to consolidate the political incidence of unions as a real means to make a qualitative progress for the labour movement was also emphasised. UNI Americas expressed that it is important to be aware that the political union capacity lies to a great extent in the strength derived from a strong and high level of membership; in the appropriate and permanent revision of the possibilities to decisively fulfil the objectives (permanent analysis to identify opportunities to get the expected results) It was also highlighted that UNI americas is working hard with multinationals, with the aim of guaranteeing respect of fundamental rights and the achievement of global or regional framework agreements with these companies. Read More >>>
Contact: jose.molina@uniglobalunion.org
ITUC Calls for UN Summit to endorse Financial Transactions Tax
Belgium. The ITUC is calling on governments to commit to introducing a financial transactions tax (FTT) at September’s United Nations Development Summit to help tackle global poverty and accelerate action on jobs and climate change. The UN Summit, to review progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), will take place against a background of growing global unemployment and inequality and major set-backs on economic development in countries across the globe. “The global economic crisis continues to hit hard, with 200 million more people falling into absolute poverty since 2008, millions of young people with little or no hope of finding work, and women in particular being squeezed out of employment. The recession may be over for banks and finance, but the outlook for employment and for vital public services is bleak as governments cut spending in order to satisfy the money markets. A financial transactions tax not only makes good economic sense – it is also a matter of justice and equity,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow. Read More>>>
For more information, read the ITUC statement:
<http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/No_33_-_Annexe_3_-_ITUC_Statement_to_September_Summit_2010_on_the_MDGs.pdf>
CTC Colombia celebrates its 75th anniversary
Bogotá. The main celebration ceremony was carried out on August 10th at the Cafam La Floresta Convention Centre, in Bogota. The meeting was honoured by public national figures, leaders of the other three union centrals, congressmen and women, leaders of political parties, representatives of the entrepreneurial sector and international organisations like the ILO, among others. Our colleague Leonor Sierra Acosta, who delivered an emotive congratulation greeting for the President of CTC colleague Luis Miguel Morantes Alfonso on behalf of the Regional Secretary Raul Requena, represented UNI americas in this historic celebration. Read More>>>
Contact: leonor.sierra@uniglobalunion.org
UNI americas “Breaking Through” in Paraguay
Asunción. During the last meeting of the Regional Executive Committee of UNI Americas, the attendants committed to carry out a formal Mission of UNI americas to Paraguay during the current year, and acknowledged that Paraguay is one of the priorities of the Breaking Through proposal in the Americas. As a part of this process, the Regional Secretary, colleague Raul Requena, recently carried out a mission to that country and worked in the conformation of the Liaison Committee in Paraguay, suggesting the elaboration of a work proposal for the period 2010-2012. In this direction, and taking advantage of the invitation of the TUCA to the Social and Union Forum of the Americas, UNI america’s representative of this activity José Molina, attended the weekly work meeting of the Liaison Committee. A clear and broad explanation of the content of the work proposal 2010 - 2012 was presented by the coordination of the Liaison Committee, which seeks to reinforce the political, management and administration capacity of UNI affiliated unions in that country. Read More>>>
Contact: jose.molina@uniglobalunion.org
Perspectives of labour and union Agenda in Santos’ government
Bogotá. During the 8 years of Uribe’s govrenment, the labour and union agenda was frozen, which resulted in the aggravation of a historic situation in Colombia: the exclusion of workers and organisations. Uribe leaves: 1. The highest unemployment rate in Latin America. 2. Economic, social and tax policies damaging labour rights. 3. A great distance between social interlocutors who have been denied the right to develop an appropriate social dialogue agenda and collective bargaining. 4. The labour movement abused, stigmatized and subjected to violence, with a low level of membership and presence in the country. Everything seems to indicate that labour and union issues will be dealt with, that they will not be ignored, and that they will get an important place in the current government’s agenda; thus, a great debate will be held in the country. What really matters is the direction in which the agenda will be treated. This will depend on the capacity the workers and the organisations shall develop to improve the scope of deliberative action and mobilisation capacity to generate a progressist labour agenda. Read More>>>
Source: José Luciano Sanín Vásquez – General Director ENS
Successful Collective Bargaining Negotiations in Chilean Postal Sector
Santiago. Four of the five unions involved, started negotiations aimed at developing a common and viable project to improve working conditions and salaries of the 4600 workers included in the Collective Bargaining. Four days after the strike was initiated, the organisations: National Union, SINTECH; Union of Postal Operators, SOP; Union of Postal Workers, SINACAR, and Union N0 1, agreed with the company to subscribe a collective agreement to establish a set of benefits:
v A real salary increase of 11, 62%.
v A recognition of a system of periodic readjustment.
v An increase of the transport bonus to a 20,59% over the initial value.
v A signing bonus after negotiation of collective bargaining of U$S 1.800,00 for each of the 4600 workers involved in the process.
v A contract validity of 3 years (2010-2013).
SINTECH in the interview carried out with the Regional Secretary on August 13th 2010, in which they thanked the assistance and follow up of UNI Americas before, during and after the conflict, as well as the support messages received by postal organisations of the region. Read More>>>
Contact: cenise.monteiro@uniglobalunion.org
Health and Security, a tool for unionisation
Buenos Aires. During August 10th, 11th and 12th a seminar on Health and Security at work was carried out, which was attended by 20 representatives of the graphical and packaging sector from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia. The President of UNI Americas, Ruben Cortina and the Head of UNI SCORE, Adriana Rosenzvaig attended the event. The participants agreed on: Identifying problems at plants and possible solutions, involving workers in this process. Developing training units on risk factors affecting the graphical and packaging industry together with employers, in the framework of the Buenos Aires Statement (Instrument of social dialogue between UNI Graphics and the Latin American Confederation of the Graphic Industry). Exchanging information and actions developed by the network which created a site in Facebook, apart from creating Skype accounts to carry out monthly virtual conferences. Read More>>>
Further information: marvin.largaespada@uniglobalunion.org
Lider Supermarket’s Union from Chile calls on legislators
Santiago. Juan Moreno, President of the Lider Inter-company Union expressed strong disapproval against the legislator’s delay in voting the bill that will regulate the concept of enterprise to prevent the present legal gaps. “When our union made the presentation before the commission, all the legislators agreed with us on the implications of the Lider case. We all know that it is a company, paying their suppliers like a company, with a unique corporative image, listed on the stock exchange like a company…and what’s more, it was sold to Wal Mart as a company…However, for the workers, Lider is a group of 150 different companies. This hinders our struggle to improve the worker’s conditions”, stated Moreno. Read More>>>
Source: Lider Inter-Company Union prensasindicatolider@gmail.com
Contact: marcio.monzane@uniglobalunion.org
FETRASECH establishes a Permanent Working Group on Private Security
Santiago. The Chilean Federation of Workers of Security and Services (FETRASECH), union organization affiliated to UNI Global Union in the private security sector, was summoned by the Private Public Committee of Security, Public Security Division of the Ministry of the Interior, to participate in the creation of a Permanent Working Group on Private Security in Chile. The constitutive meeting was also attended by the Association of Private Security Companies and Values Transport of Chile (ASEVA) and representatives of the Carabineer’s OS10 unit of the Ministry of the Interior. The Permanent Working Group will have a 4 years’ duration and one of its first assignments will be to discuss the bill on private security, presently going through the Chamber of Deputies. Read More>>>
Contact: alberto.barrow@uniglobalunion.org
UNI americas supports Prosegur workers in Colombia
Bogota. The Union of Workers of the Company Prosegur in Colombia (SINTRAVALORES) has publicly denounced a series of maneuvers on the part of the company’s management which impair the validity of the collective agreement and affects a series of benefits of the company’s workers. Teófilo Gómez Duarte, President of SINTRAVALORES has directly pointed his finger at the manager of the Company, Yago Palao, who’s been said to be exerting pressure on the workers to sign documents elaborated in advance, in which they declare their supposed will to renounce the benefits of the collective agreement. UNI americas expresses strong rejection towards the anti union behavior of Prosegur Colombia and firmly expresses its will to support SINTRAVALORES, with the conviction that the worker’s rights embodied in the collective agreement must be fully respected. Read More>>>
Contact: alberto.barrow@uniglobalunion.org
International Mission verifies union situation in Panama
Panama City. UNI Americas integrated the delegation of representatives of union organisations from various countries visiting the Republic of Panama, between August 24th and 26th, which is part of a Mission of verification of the Union Situation in Panamá, organised by the International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (IFBWW), carried out with the aim of making a field verification of the labour situation, after the serious events which affected the country during July, as a result of the government’s approval of the 2010 anti-union law 30, rejected by the labour movement and the organised civil society and that has taken may lives so far and left hundreds of injured. The international mission also seeks to support the union’s organising work in the Panama Canal enlargement works, especially inside the merging Unidos por el Canal (Joined by the Canal), a company in charge of most part of the execution of the project of enlargement of the water route. Read More>>>
Contact: alberto.barrow@uniglobalunion.org
Workshop on Analysis of Collective Bargaining in Movistar-Telefónica
Buenos Aires. In the framework of the Project for organising workers in Movistar, the Workshop on the Analysis of Collective Bargaining in Movistar-Telefonica was carried out, during August 23rd, 22nd and 25th, 2010. One of the important activities of the workshop was a visit carried out to a Telefonica corporate building in Buenos Aires, where the participants had the opportunity of having an interview with Raul Lacroze, Human Capital Management Director of Telefonica Argentina. During this brief exchange, the managers of Telefonica reaffirmed their interest in continuing with the process of social dialogue established some years ago by the unions and federations. Read More>>>
Contact: cenise.monteiro@uniglobalunion.org
UNI americas Gamming Sector Electronic Bulletin
It is a pleasure for us to inform you that the 20th edition of the Electronic UNI americas Gamming Bulletin, August 2010, is available. Link>>>
Important advances in UNI americas Telecom Regional Committee Meeting
Buenos Aires. UNI Americas Telecom Regional Committee Meeting was carried out in Buenos Aires, Argentina during August 26th and 27th. The meeting was attended by Marcus Courtney, UNI Telecom Global Head of Department; Bo Larsen, World President of the UNI Telecom World Committee; Francisco Hernandez Juarez, President of UNI Americas Telecom Regional Steering Committee and outstanding union leaders of the sectors from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru and Puerto Rico. During the development of the activity, the participants shared their experiences, and the reports of the region’s organisations on union organising and labour relations with the operating telecom companies and subcontractors were delivered. Besides, the Telephone Operator Workers of the Mexican Republic, STRM, presented a detailed and complete report on the situation of the mega operators in the region. Read More>>>
Contact: cenise.monteiro@uniglobalunion.org
UNI americas 1st Sectors’ Coordination Meeting
Panama City. The 1st UNI Americas Meeting of Sectors’ Coordination took place on August 30th and 31st, 2010; it was attended by delegates and representatives of the Sectoral Executive Committees, and its objective was to analyze the advancement of the priorities established in the Regional Executive Committee Meeting held in Montevideo this past February, to ensure the Breaking Through Project’s success. The Regional Secretary of UNI Americas presented a situation analysis, highlighting the opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses the sectors are facing. The representatives of each sector agreed to reinforce the sector’s tasks and objectives in order to achieve the goals UNI has promoted through its Global Breaking Through. Read More>>>
Contact: raul.requena@uniglobalunion.org
Contribution
We thank our readers for sending their comments, suggestions and collaborations to the editorship of UNI americas info, through E-mail mario.sanchez@uniglobalunion.org; Fax (507) 317-0170, and/or by mail, to: Apartado Postal 0819-06290, El Dorado, Panamá, República de Panamá.