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LABOUR/UNION RELATED MEDIA
FROM THE SIU:
***IBF Announces 3-Year Agreement (8/2)
On behalf of the organizations involved, the International Transport Workers’ Federation has issued the following joint news release, dated August 2. ITF Seafarers’ Section Chair David Heindel, quoted in the release, also is secretary-treasurer of the SIU.
Joint press release: International Bargaining Forum Reaches Three Year Agreement
The IBF (International Bargaining Forum), which comprises representatives of the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation), on behalf of seafarers, and the JNG (Joint Negotiating Group,) on behalf of employers, reached a final agreement during its negotiations, held in Miami on 27th and 28th July.
The conclusion, which has been hard fought by both sides, has resulted in a three year deal being applied to all IBF agreements with effect from 1 January 2012 and includes an incremental pay increase over the three year period. A 2% increase will be applied on 1 January 2012, a further 2.5% increase will be applied on 1 January 2013 and the final 3% increase will be applied on 1 January 2014.
Under the terms of a new methodology as agreed between the parties during 2010, the percentage increase will be applied to an element which includes both pay and union funding; however the specifics of the application of the increases between Officer and Rating categories and funding elements, will be decided at Local Negotiations between individual Union Affiliates and the Employers.
Further cost items agreed during the negotiations include the introduction of an incentive increase in ITF Welfare Fund rebates to the IBF of an additional 5%, on top of the current 5%, if the number of vessels being covered under IBF agreements increases year on year by 2%, 2% and 1% during the years 2012 to 2014 respectively.
As well as discussing cost issues, the parties to the IBF spent considerable time discussing specific amendments to the Articles of the IBF Collective Bargaining Agreement that included such items as changes to the period that is defined as probationary when a seafarer commences his or her first term of employment with a Company and references to the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
The issue of piracy was debated at great length and a revised text was agreed on warlike operations / high risk areas. The issue of reviewing the extended area and compensation was held over for further dialogue in the near future.
In addition to the specific amendments to the articles of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, a revised Memorandum of Agreement was signed which contains additional agreements reached during the entire span of the IBF process that are open and currently relevant, with further items added during the 2011 negotiations. These additions include principles to assist Companies with the development of Disciplinary/Grievance Procedures and Bullying/Harassment Procedures and commitments to maintain future Officer supply through Cadet training and the provision of training berths on board IBF covered ships.
Speaking on conclusion of the IBF Negotiations, Dave Heindel, Chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Section, commented: “The last few years have put a great pressure on both sides of the IBF to be seen to be acting responsibly in support of both the Seafarers and those that employ them. The collapse in the world financial market has led to employers wanting to minimize their cost increases in difficult times; and has put pressure on those who represent the seafarers to understand this financial situation, whilst ensuring that they are protecting the interest and livelihoods of their members. The final agreement that we have reached has demonstrated the ability of the two sides to work together being both constructive and representative. This agreement bears testament to the strength of the IBF process and its ability to reach conclusions in difficult times, on difficult issues.”
Giles Heimann, Secretary General of IMEC and Joint Secretary of the JNG commented: “The final outcome reached by the IBF is both a pragmatic and mutually acceptable agreement for both sides. The IBF system has yet again demonstrated the ability of both sides of the table to work closely together in examining the core issues at hand; and through debate, negotiation, respect for each other’s opinions and understanding, a solution has been found, which allows us all to confirm that we have achieved a good result for our constituents.”
Heimann continued by saying “Whilst of course, the specific outcome that will be focussed on is the pay increase, we should not forget that the IBF system of partnership focuses on many other issues - during these negotiations, a great deal has been achieved which supports the IBF process into the future, as well as agreeing to the pay settlement.”
FROM THE ATU:
***Transit Union Shows Solidarity with Dismissed Thai Railway Workers
Rail passenger safety at risk, Union urges reversal of court decision against safety protestors
WASHINGTON, DC - Amalgamated Transit Union International President Larry Hanley expressed strong support this morning for seven Thai railway union leaders who are set to be fired and fined $505,000 for protesting the deplorable safety failings which led to two derailments and one fatal accident in October 2009. The accident killed seven and injured many others.
“The decision of the
Thai Labour Court
is not in keeping with internationally recognized rights of workers to perform their jobs in safe and secure environments,” declared Hanley. “I want to express the solidarity of all of our members with the Thai railway workers, and urge the court to reverse this unjust decision on appeal.”
Hanley has endorsed the efforts of the International Transport Workers Federation which is asking workers to bring their protest to the Thai diplomatic missions in the U.S. and Canada within the next two weeks – the time in which the Thai court will be considering appeals.
The operator in the accident had one rest day in the previous 30 days. The ‘deadman’s handle’ was not working, and, unbelievably, only 20 percent of locomotives were even equipped with such a fundamental piece of equipment, according to the union.
“These Thai rail workers are committed to the safety and security of their passengers and are being unjustly persecuted,” Hanley said. “This is a blatant violation of their rights under international law and the ATU stands firmly behind these workers.”
# # #
For more information visit the ‘Solidarity with Thai railway workers’ campaign page visit:http://www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/thai-railway-workers.cfm
The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) – the largest labor union representing transit and allied workers in the U.S. and Canada – fights for the interests of its hard-working members and promotes mass transit. Founded in 1892, the ATU today is comprised of over 190,000 members, including: metropolitan, interstate, and school bus drivers; paratransit, light rail, subway, streetcar, and ferry boat operators; mechanics and other maintenance workers; clerks, baggage handlers, municipal employees, and others. ATU can be found in 44 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and nine Canadian provinces.
David Roscow
Amalgamated Transit Union, AFL-CIO
w. 202-537-1645 x254
c. 202-487-4990
www.atu.org
PRESS RELEASES
www.rmt.org.uk
NEWS RELEASE
August 2 2011
Immediate
RMT warns that central London will be “jammed solid” with unlicensed and dangerous rickshaws as we head towards Olympics
TAXI UNION RMT warned today that central London will be “jammed solid” with unlicensed and uninsured rickshaws as we head towards the London Olympics with the authorities refusing to lift a finger to clampdown on the unregulated trade.
RMT London Taxi Branch has a clear position of opposition to rickshaws in London and last month RMT parliamentary group convenor John McDonnell successfully objected to the TFL London Local Authorities Bill at Second Reading - specifically on the grounds that it would lead to the continued proliferation of unlicensed, unsafe rickshaws clogging up central London.
This was an important and significant victory in the battle by RMT Taxi Branch to end the London rickshaw trade all together.
Now the RMT is demanding urgent action to clear the rickshaws off the busy streets of the capital before there is a fatality.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
“There is a very real danger that the whole of central London could be clogged up with unlicensed and unregulated rickshaws in the run up to the Olympics if the authorities don’t get an urgent grip on the situation.
“Alongside the threat to the livelihoods of our licensed taxi branch members there is also the threat of serious injury to unwary members of the public who have no idea that they are climbing into uninsured and unregistered vehicles on London’s busy streets. We have heard reports of rip-off fares of as much as £50 for a journey of a few hundred metres.
“Our taxi branch is demanding action now before this chaotic situation spirals out of control and we will be leading a campaign on the streets and in Parliament to raise public awareness of the rickshaw threat and to force the authorities to end this trade before we have a tragedy on our hands.”
ENDS
Further information:
Geoff Martin 07831 465 103
0207 255 9146
www.rmt.org.uk
NEWS RELEASE
August 2 2011
Immediate
RMT reveals that £15 million was spent on consultants and advisers in Thameslink/Bombardier stitch up
RAIL UNION RMT today issued a fresh call for the Government to reverse the decision to award the Thameslink fleet contract to German company Siemens in preference to Bombardier in Derby as the union revealed that over £15 million of UK taxpayers money was spent on advisers engaged in the tendering process.
RMT is calling on the National Audit Office to include the advisers and consultants costs in their investigations into the contract - particularly as these well-paid advisers totally failed to include the wider costs to the UK economy in the tendering evaluation despite the fact that it is standard practice in other European countries.
The latest scandal around the Bombardier fit up comes hot on the heels of evidence last week that the Government could simply rule out Siemens as preferred bidders without any comeback whatsoever as a result of the companies track record globally of being involved in corrupt business practices. There is no reason why the Government could not now award the work the only remaining and approved bidder, Bombardier in Derby.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
“The news that over £15 million of taxpayers money has been soaked up in advisers and consultants fees to oil the wheels of the Bombardier stitch up just adds insult to injury.
“This is money that could have been invested in defending train manufacturing jobs in the UK instead of filling the pockets of City consultancy spivs. It’s time to bring this whole shabby exercise to a close and for the Government to step in and award this contract to the Derby work force. We are sick of the catalogue of excuses from various ministers and we are demanding urgent action.”
ENDS
Further information:
Geoff Martin 07831 465 103
0207 255 9146
Note: PQ on Thameslink consultant costs:
Mrs Villiers: From May 2008, the Department has spent approximately £13.1 million (exc VAT) to date on specialist consultants and advisers to evaluate the Thameslink Rolling Stock project. This resource has included financial, procurement, technical, legal, planning and other specialist advice required to deliver the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project which is one of the largest rolling stock orders in the country.
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