Submitted on Mon, 03/24/2008 - 12:06am
Trabajador@s Mexican@s denuncian TLCAN, abusos laborales
por Mike Pesa
Trabajador@s Mexican@s de la Coalición por Justicia en las Maquiladoras (CJM) están de una gira co-patrocinada por los Trabajadores Industriales del Mundo (IWW). Están viajando por América del Norte, compartiendo su perspectiva de primera mano de los efectos de TLCAN y su lucha por la justicia en las fábricas y colonias populares del norte de México. La gira se centra en un día de acción el 13 de marzo en Detroit en contra del Key Safety Systems, un fabricante de partes automotrices, y sus clientes corporativos, inclusive Ford, General Motors y Hyundai. Arrancó la gira en Filadelfia el 4 de marzo y el IWW hospedó a l@s trabajador-organizadores Israel Monroy y Perla Cruz. En febrero, se le despidió ilegalmente a Cruz de la fábrica del Key Safety Systems en Valle Hermoso, México (cerca de la frontera de Texas) por organizar a un comité de trabajadores.
Submitted on Tue, 03/11/2008 - 2:36pm
By Mike Pesa
Mexican factory workers from the Coalition for Justice in the
Maquiladoras (CJM) are on an IWW-cosponsored truth-telling tour
through North America, sharing their first-hand perspective on the
effects of NAFTA and their struggle for justice in the factories and
slums of northern Mexico. The tour is focused around a March 13 day
of
action in Detroit against automotive parts manufacturer Key Safety
Systems and its corporate customers, including Ford, General Motors,
and Hyundai. The tour kicked off in Philadelphia on March 4th where
the IWW hosted worker-organizers Israel Monroy and Perla Cruz. In
February, Cruz was illegally fired from Key Safety Systems' plant in
Valle Hermoso, Mexico (near the Texas border) for organizing a
workers' committee.
On Wednesday, March 5th Monroy and Cruz went to New York City for a
day to meet with IWW members and allies there. While in New York they
participated in the NYC branch's protest of Panera Bread, which is
being targeted for its unfair labor practices and union busting.
They
were accompanied by Justin Vitiello of the Philadelphia branch, who
acted as their translator throughout the week. Returning to
Philadelphia, the visitors attended an IWW-sponsored protest at
Springfield Hyundai, where the manager accepted a letter urging
Hyundai to put pressure on Key Safety Systems. The protest was joined
by Irish activist Andrew Flood who was on a speaking tour of his own.
Following the protest, Monroy and Cruz spoke to a class at Temple
University. Interest was so great that students' questions had to be
cut off at one point.
Submitted on Wed, 03/05/2008 - 2:00pm
Statement for March 6 International Day of Action in Solidarity with
the Workers of Iran
The International Solidarity Commission of the Industrial Workers of
the World (IWW), an international rank-and-file labor union, warmly
extends our solidarity with the workers of Iran, on this, the
occasion
of the March 6th Global Day of Action. Reflecting on the 100+ year
history of our own union, we in the IWW recognize that real victories
for workers have never come without struggle, hardship, and--all too
often--repression. For years now, the Iranian workers have bravely
faced down brutal opposition from government forces, right-wing
clerics and their supporters, and of course, the bosses themselves.
They have paid a terrible price for their efforts to bring about
justice in the workplace and in society. We know that workers,
organizers and activists have been harassed, threatened, beaten,
fined, fired, whipped, jailed and worse, simply for exercising their
right to organize.
Submitted on Wed, 02/06/2008 - 3:27pm
Originally published at UK Indymedia
The last year saw the
IWW and their allies launch a nation-wide campaign to prevent NBS
management from enacting dangerous cuts that will only serve to ease
their own workload. IWW members in the NBS’s recognised unions (Unison
and Unite) have also been at the forefront of the campaign to push the
big unions to act against the plans, rather than seemingly roll over
and let management do whatever they want.
NBS
bosses plan to centralise thirteen blood processing centres into three
‘supercentres’ in Colindale, Manchester and Bristol. This means 600
jobs will be slashed and local economies and labour markets are going
to be hit hard. What’s more, the transport of blood will be even more
reliant on our already-overcrowded and polluting road system, with many
hospitals more than 100 miles from the nearest centre. Put simply,
these plans are a danger to workers, communities and patients.
Submitted on Tue, 01/01/2008 - 3:46pm
Workers in struggle, Barcelona, Spain
Workers at the Frape Behr factory in Barcelona have occupied their factory
because of a company plan to fire 295 workers. The Behr company is in Stuttgart,
Germany, and it specializes in manufacturing of car air conditioning and engine
cooling systems. The need for solidarity by December 31 is urgent.
From CNT-AIT Barcelona we are supporting the workers of the Frape Behr
factory (sister company of the german Behr) in Barcelona. Behr has reported a
labour force adjustment plan (LFAP) to 50 workers and profit limits. For three
months the workers have rejected this offer.