Charismatic trade union leader Bob Crow dies
The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) is mourning the shockingly early death of our comrade Bob Crow, general secretary of the ITF-affiliated RMT, and ITF executive board member from 2002 onwards.
ITF acting general secretary Stephen Cotton said: “Bob was such a vital, tough, campaigning tower of strength that it’s almost impossible to believe that he is no longer with us. Bob was many things: a true fighter for workers’ rights, an internationalist and an inspiration to the last. He was also a close personal friend. We are all now wishing his partner and children well even as we try to accept his passing.
“His family’s loss is also his members’ loss and the world trade union community’s loss. Bob’s untimely death has left a giant gap in our lives, both personal and as a global activist. He never faltered from the certainty that the global trade union movement could make a difference to workers’ lives. His work mobilising international support for workers, including those of Cuba and Palestine, will live on.”
Charismatic trade union leader Bob Crow dies
FROM FOLHA DE S PAOLO (BRAZIL):
***Entidade faz campanha contra empresa que proíbe comissárias de engravidar
DA REUTERS
A Federação Internacional dos Trabalhadores em Transportes (ITF) está fazendo uma campanha contra as políticas da companhia aérea Qatar Airways, que limita as comissárias de voo de engravidar e de se casar.
“A empresa tem a pior política de direitos das mulheres entre as companhias aéreas”, disse Gabriel Mocho, porta-voz do grupo, à agência de notícias Reuters.
Os contratos trabalhistas da Qatar proíbem qualquer membro da tripulação de se casar durante os primeiros cinco anos de trabalho na companhia.
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| Comissárias da Qatar Airways têm restrições para engravidar ou se casar |
Segundo Akbar Al Baker, presidente-executivo da empresa, a companhia não mantém suas políticas em segredo para os funcionários.
“Se você vier procurar emprego na Qatar Airways, lhe damos um documento informando quais são as regras e regulamentos. Se você, como um indivíduo maduro, aceita essas condições, não deve se queixar. ”
Ele afirmou que, como o regulamento impede mulheres grávidas de voar, e como a empresa não tem muitos empregos em terra disponíveis, muitas vezes elas acabam perdendo o trabalho.
A prática de proibir que mulheres grávidas façam parte da tripulação é comum em todo o mundo, por motivos de saúde –algumas empresas permitem que elas trabalhem até os três meses de gravidez. A maioria das companhias oferece às suas funcionárias trabalhos em terra ou as coloca em licença maternidade.
A Emirates, outra companhia área, afirmou que as mulheres que engravidam nos três primeiros anos de emprego saem da companhia. Se ficarem grávidas depois desse período, podem tirar licença-maternidade remunerada.
FROM SEAFARER TIMES, ALSO SHIPPING TRIBUNE:
***Threatened Honduran port leader returns while pressure mounts on global port operator to act
Submitted by Helmsman on Tue, 03/11/2014 – 08:16
Threatened Honduran port leader returns while pressure mounts on global port operator to act
10 March 2014 received via email
10 March 2014 received via email
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has called for union rights and a guarantee of personal safety for port union leader Victor Crespo, who yesterday returned to Honduras. On his return, Crespo filed human rights complaints with the national authorities following a series of anti-union attacks since September, including death threats, dismissals of trade unionists and the military repression of protesters in Puerto Cortės.
Crespo has personally been subjected to death threats and decided to come out of hiding for his own safety after union officials reported a visit by the Honduran police, accompanied by a representative of the ICTSI local subsidiary OPC, to the offices of his union, the Sindicato Gremial de Trabajadores del Muelle (SGTM). The police were seeking the detention and arrest of SGTM trade union leaders – Carlos Alvarado and Glen Galdames – for participating in a legal and peaceful protest at the port of Portland’s Terminal 6, in the USA, which is operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc (ICTSI).
Since winning a concession agreement in 2013 to operate the cargo terminal in Puerto Cortės, Honduras, global port operator ICTSI, its Honduran-created subsidiary, Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana (OPC) and their subcontractor ESTIR, have not responded to requests from the SGTM to engage in negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement. A previous legal request had been filed at the labour ministry. The 4.5 million-strong ITF has raised its concerns over violation of human and trade union rights at Puerto Cortės with the UN’s International Labour Organization and in February approached the Interamerican Human Rights Court in San José, Costa Rica, for protection for Victor, his family and other trade unionists.
ITF president and dockers’ section chair Paddy Crumlin stated: “The ITF has put the Honduran government on trial: no excuses, no delays. They must act and act now, or face the consequences.”
Stephen Cotton, ITF acting general secretary, said: “Victor is fully aware that his return to Honduras puts his life in immediate danger. He is standing with his members in a time of need for union rights, the survival of his union and for democracy. The ITF family will stand shoulder to shoulder with the SGTM and the dockers in Puerto Cortės to ensure that attacks that threaten lives and union rights cease.”
Antonio Rodríguez Fritz, ITF regional secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, added: “Since the privatisation process of Puerto Cortės started, resulting in the ICSTI/OPC takeover of operations at the port, death threats have been made against Victor Crespo, forcing him into hiding; his father has been killed in suspicious circumstances; the union treasurer, Carlos Alvarado, has been dismissed; union members and activists of both SGTM and SITRAENP at Puerto Cortės have been dismissed; and soldiers have been sent to confront and arrest protesters in the port. Evidence is mounting against both the government and the company, but it is not too late for them to step up and make genuine efforts. We want them to commit to protect Victor Crespo’s life and to negotiate with the union for a collective agreement in Puerto Cortės.”
FROM THE SIU:
***ITF Calls for Protection of Hunduran Union Leader (3/10)
The International Transport Workers’ Federation, to which the SIU is affiliated, has issued the following news release, dated March 10:
Threatened Honduran Port Leader Returns While Pressure Mounts on Global Port Operator to Act
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has called for union rights and a guarantee of personal safety for port union leader Victor Crespo, who yesterday returned to Honduras. On his return, Crespo filed human rights complaints with the national authorities following a series of anti-union attacks since September, including death threats, dismissals of trade unionists and the military repression of protesters in Puerto Cortės.
Crespo has personally been subjected to death threats and decided to come out of hiding for his own safety after union officials reported a visit by the Honduran police, accompanied by a representative of the ICTSI local subsidiary OPC, to the offices of his union, the Sindicato Gremial de Trabajadores del Muelle (SGTM). The police were seeking the detention and arrest of SGTM trade union leaders – Carlos Alvarado and Glen Galdames – for participating in a legal and peaceful protest at the port of Portland’s Terminal 6, in the USA, which is operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc (ICTSI).
Since winning a concession agreement in 2013 to operate the cargo terminal in Puerto Cortės, Honduras, global port operator ICTSI, its Honduran-created subsidiary, Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana (OPC) and their subcontractor ESTIR, have not responded to requests from the SGTM to engage in negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement. A previous legal request had been filed at the labour ministry. The 4.5 million-strong ITF has raised its concerns over violation of human and trade union rights at Puerto Cortės with the UN’s International Labour Organization and in February approached the Interamerican Human Rights Court in San José, Costa Rica, for protection for Victor, his family and other trade unionists.
ITF president and dockers’ section chair Paddy Crumlin stated: “The ITF has put the Honduran government on trial: no excuses, no delays. They must act and act now, or face the consequences.”
Stephen Cotton, ITF acting general secretary, said: “Victor is fully aware that his return to Honduras puts his life in immediate danger. He is standing with his members in a time of need for union rights, the survival of his union and for democracy. The ITF family will stand shoulder to shoulder with the SGTM and the dockers in Puerto Cortės to ensure that attacks that threaten lives and union rights cease.”
Antonio Rodríguez Fritz, ITF regional secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, added: “Since the privatisation process of Puerto Cortės started, resulting in the ICSTI/OPC takeover of operations at the port, death threats have been made against Victor Crespo, forcing him into hiding; his father has been killed in suspicious circumstances; the union treasurer, Carlos Alvarado, has been dismissed; union members and activists of both SGTM and SITRAENP at Puerto Cortės have been dismissed; and soldiers have been sent to confront and arrest protesters in the port. Evidence is mounting against both the government and the company, but it is not too late for them to step up and make genuine efforts. We want them to commit to protect Victor Crespo’s life and to negotiate with the union for a collective agreement in Puerto Cortės.”