The anarchosyndicalist union considers that the unemployment data, released yesterday, are the desired result of the politics of cuts and dismissals made by different governments and through European institutions.
CNT believes that the EPA data, released yesterday, show the effects of the actual policies being promoted, and that produces the desired result of the multiplication of layoffs and the systematic destruction of jobs. The anarchosyndicalist union claims that the official discourse on job creation is simply a justification for more cuts in workers' rights, casualization and the dismantling of public services and policies in favor of the interests of management and banks.
On 12 December 2012, the workers at Careggi hospital in Florence went on strike against the proposal by the company, made unilaterally and signed in by the CGIL and CISL setting new working hours and annual scheduling of holidays, a shift requiring maximum flexibility for workers. About 300 workers came to the demonstration called by Cobas and USI-AIT, in the realm of the strike called by Fials. Workers and delegates from Uil Careggi also took part, with their flags.
At the administrative building of the hospital, about 60 workers occupied the atrium in front of the general management and called on them to come to negotiate. They were then informed that CISL withdrew their signature from the agreement, which means that negotiations should be renewed. There was a meeting for about a half hour. Then they went to a picket at the regional administration for Tuscany. A delegation from Cobas, USI-AIT, Fials and Uil were received and they discussed all the problems that the new schedules created, including new health and safety risks associated with them. Representatives of the administration promised to set up meetings with the hospital and the unions.
Cobas and USI-AIT were satisfied with this action and thank everyone who took part and stress that they will not stop fighting until they win.
More information: More information: http://senzapatria.bloog.it/reportcomunicato-sciopero-a-careggi.html
No Repression for Speaking Out!
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On Thursday, December 13, 2012, former workers from the Natais popcorn factory in Bézéril, France will go to trial for supposed „defamation” of their ex-employer, for talking about their working conditions on a blog.
Among the problems the workers faced was exposure to Diacetyl. This chemical can cause bronchitis obliterans, also known as „popcorn workers' lung”, or other serious respiratory illnesses. Diacetyl is a component of the artificial butter flavor used in microwave popcorn. Bronchitis obliterans is irreversible and can lead to death.
The workers at Natais popcorn factory are not even given masks to protect themselves from the vapors. They also must work in extreme heat. Around 80% of the people at the factory are temporary workers. The work is hard, people are sometimes forced to work on Sundays, the pay is bad.
There was even a strike at the factory. A year-end bonus was won, but then the union called off the strike. Some workers however tried to keep fighting. For trying to speak out against these conditions, a case was brought against 2 of the strikers, now former workers of the company.
What a mess! Messeshop firm has been refusing to pay immigrant workers for almost one year. Send them a protest and let them know what you think of their practices!
Sign the online petition here.
In May 2012, two comrades from FAU went to their section, Construction and Technology, asking for help as they had been waiting several months to payment for work they had done.
What happened?
The comrades were working in February and March 2012 in Eimersleben (near Magdeburg) at a company that builds stands for fairs called "Messeshop“". They were used as self-employed workers at the "Fruit Logistica" and "ITB" fairs in Berlin. After they sent their invoices, they waited in vain for their pay.
See Priama akcia's summary of the strike.
Protest actions in front of Slovak institutions abroad are more than welcome – preferably this week!
You can send an e-mail directly via the e-form on the Priama akcia website.
A CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY
The strike is unprecedented in the Slovak history. We are astonished by and filled with huge respect to the workers because of the level of their self-organization. We think this should be supported by all means worldwide!
Monday, November 26
Trade Union of Workers in Education and Science (OZ PŠaV) with over 50 000 members (of approximately 125 000 working in the education sector) starts an indefinite strike to sign the collective agreement a week before next year’s budget is to be signed. They demand:
- a 10 percent rise in tariff wages for all workers in the sector,
- a gradual increase of the GDP share spent on education to 6 percent until 2016,
- a gradual wage increase reaching a level of 1,2 - 1,6 percent above the average wage in the national economy for the teachers in regional education and 1,7 - 3 percent for those in the institutions of higher education
- a guarantee of a minimum wage for the lowest tariff wage for non-pedagogical employees workers.
The strike is joined by 73 percent of elementary schools, 70 percent of high schools and over 5 percent of the institutions in higher education.
The Di Vittorio Foundation, an association affiliated to CGIL, the most important union in Italy, established a convention in Parma about the centenary of USI-AIT, without informing the USI-AIT section in Parma, the 6th of December 2012. About 15 workers belonging to USI-AIT Parma interrupted this meeting, despite the presence of several policeman outside the hall, leafleting an announcement whose title was: "USI-AIT, 100 YEARS OF AUTONOMOUS MANAGEMENT, NEVER WITH CGIL AND ALWAYS AGAINST THE MASTERS". USI Parma considered this meeting as disrespectful, since no information was given to the USI local section, since there was a respectful relationship between CGIL and USI before this event, furthermore this act has been seen by USI as an historical manipulation inscribed in a process that CGIL is leading from several years, trying to
change some features of the most important event of the local unionist history, especially those that involved the revolutionary union as protagonist.
USI-AIT Parma Section
A conflict has been going on almost a half year between FAU and the ecological farm Teltower Rübchen. The problems concern improper payment during training periods, not following health and safety laws, low wages and the use of immigrant labour without contracts.
There were attempts to negotiate with the owner of the farm, a member of the Green Party (which includes postualtes about a decent minimum wage that is higher that what is paid at the „green” farm). He refused to meet with FAU, so the union started to make a pressure campaign, campaigning where the farm seels its products.
As we know that at least some consumers who buy green products are also concerned about the working conditions they are produced in, we hope that people will show their discontent with the situation at Teltower Rübchen and that the situation will improve soon.
From the ZSP, we add that we do not accept the exploitation of Polish, Romanian and Ukrainian immigrants who are in desperate situations and are forced to work without contracts. We demand proper treatment and full rights for workers who have been harvesting the fruits of Teltower's profits for years.
The company removed the sanctions on CNT workers, after almost two months of intermittent indefinite strike. On Thursday, November 29 the residence management finally met with the strike committee of CNT. The following points were agreed at the meeting:
The company made a commitment not to lower the salaries of the workers, at least for now.
They will pay the Christmas bonus to workers, on a prorated basis until the Government pays the debts to the company.
The management is committed to dealing with the issues of workers health and safety and will continue to meet regularly.
We are pleased that the company and the workers have reached an agreement directly and without intermediaries.
The union, with this good perspective, has stopped the strike and appreciates the outpouring of support received.
CNT Union "Les Monges"
(More information on this conflict can be found in the IWA External Bulletin no. 3, attached here.)
Our comrades in the USI-AIT have been protesting, striking and struggling against the planned dismissal of 244 workers at San Raffaele Hospital and the cencellation of contract agreements which were won after many years of struggle.
Workers have been picketing the hospital, staging occupations, road blocks, strikes and other actions since November 1. Below is some information sent from USI:
As you know, the Italian government, in compliance with the financial powers, is
destroying the social state and among the system's objectives is destroying health care.
The comrades employed at the San Raffaele hospital, together with other unions, are on strike against the dismissal of 244 workers and against the cancellation of the contract agreements which were won after many years of struggle. Two days ago, the comrade Graziella (delegate of USI) and Daniela camped on the roof of the hospital to give greater visibility to the protests. To sustain the common struggle, the workers of San Raffaele are engaged every day in strikes and demonstrations. The demonstrations in Milan on the 24 of October and the 14 of November were very significant and important.
