Global daily news 20.09.2011

Air Canada Modifies Flights as Strike Looms

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story
 
Changes 10 percent of its flights in advance of potential flight attendant strike

Air Canada, the country’s largest carrier, said Tuesday it’s modifying about 10 percent of its flights to mitigate the impact of an anticipated flight attendant strike on Wednesday, according to the Financial Post.

The company said it will also run a partial flight schedule on Wednesday if an agreement can’t be struck by 12:01 a.m. that morning with the union representing the airline’s 6,800 flight attendants. If a strike occurs, it will likely be brief because the Ottawa government is working to expedite the passage of a back-to-work bill.

"We are watching the situation very closely at this point," said Brandon Fried, president of the Airforwarders Association. "Obviously, if [the strike] results in cancellation of flights it could have adverse affect on cargo."

Fried said Tuesday afternoon he received assurance from Air Canada that flights wouldn't be cancelled. In the past, airlines have filled postions left vacant by strikers with management and supervisory workers.

 
 
 
 
FROM LLOYD'S LIST:
 
 
 

Welfare of seafarers depends on shore leave at US ports

ISPS Code has done nothing to protect crew against piracy and only adds to workload

From Mark Dickinson

SIR, Revd Tom Heffer makes some extremely pertinent points in his letter noting the adverse impact upon seafarers of many of the security measures taken in response to the 9/11 atrocities (Lloyd’s List, Thursday September 15).

I would suggest that the shocking statistics showing the rise of piracy and armed attacks on merchant ships over the past decade tell you all you need to know about the ISPS [International Ship and Port Facility Security] Code. It certainly hasn’t done much to help the thousands of seafarers killed, injured or held hostage since 2000 — but it has done a great deal to add ‘load on top’ to already overworked officers given the delegated role of shipboard security officer.

Revd Heffer rightly points to the damaging effect of the increased restrictions on shore leave and access by welfare workers and union officials to visiting vessels. Worryingly, the recently published US Government Accountability Office reports on the post-9/11 measures taken by bodies including the US Coast Guard, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to reduce the risk of shipping-related incidents call for even tighter controls on foreign seafarers visiting US ports.

What the US — and all governments with a genuine interest in the safety of shipping and the welfare of seafarers — should be doing is adopting and implementing ILO Convention 185 on Seafarer Identity Documents. It is appalling that this measure, which was fast-tracked through the International Labour Organization in response to the 9/11 incidents, continues to languish on the shelf while seafarers are being routinely denied shore leave or welfare visits.

Seafarers deserve to be treated as the professionals they are rather than as potential terrorists, and if shipowners and flag states are truly serious about safeguarding recruitment and retention of the high-calibre personnel we all need, the abuses must stop and ILO 185 must be introduced with urgency to provide the assurances that everyone needs about seafarer ID and to protect their rights. Protect and respect: it’s a two-way street.

Mark Dickinson General Secretary Nautilus International

 
 
 
 
FROM TRADEWINDS:
 
 

Tanker hit-and-run

 


An unidentified tanker has collided with and destroyed a fishing boat anchored off the Philippines.

 

 

Coast guard spokesman Algier Ricafrente said two fishermen were thrown off the small boat and are missing.

 

Their vessel was anchored off Tara Island when the accident happened early on Sunday.

 

Ricafrente said the tanker disappeared in the darkness without a trace.

 
 
 
 
 
FROM THE SINGAPORE BUSINESS TIMES:
 
 

Tackling piracy problem not so straightforward

Idea about having armed UN peacekeepers on ships runs into host of hurdles

By DAVID HUGHES

THERE has been a lot of talk about piracy in the past couple of weeks, much of it expressing, yet again, the anger of the shipping community at the inability of governments to bring the situation under control. The Round Table of international shipping associations has called for the establishment of a United Nations force of armed military guards to tackle the piracy crisis in the Indian Ocean.

The letter to UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Bimco, Intertanko and Intercargo demands a 'bold new strategy' to curb rising levels of piracy which have resulted in the Indian Ocean resembling 'the Wild West'.

'The shipping industry believes that the situation can only be reversed with a bold approach that targets the problem in manageable pieces. We believe that an important element in this approach would be the establishment of a UN Force of Armed Military Guards (AMGs) that can be deployed in small numbers onboard merchant ships. This would be an innovative force in terms of UN peacekeeping activity but it would do much to stabilise the situation, to restrict the growth of unregulated, privately contracted armed security personnel and to allow those UN Member States lacking maritime forces - including those in the region most immediately affected - to make a meaningful contribution in the area of counter-piracy.'

At first glance, this seems like a really good idea. The first reservation would be whether there is any realistic chance of the UN being able to organise such a major operation.

Perhaps it is possible to put something together, overcoming massive logistical challenges and securing the cooperation of numerous port states for the embarkation and disembarkation of military personnel. And of course, finding countries willing and able to provide, and pay for, competent AMGs would be a big challenge in itself.

Even then, however, life would not be as simple as it may appear. The Royal Navy's Keith Blount made this clear at last week's International Chamber of Shipping Conference. Capt Blount is chief of staff to the European Naval Force which is conducting anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and in the Indian Ocean.

He was not talking about the UN AMG proposal but said that there was likely to be more use of 'vessel protection detachments' (VPDs), that is to say, military personnel, on selected merchant ships but there was no prospect of them being deployed on all or most vessels. Using VPDs, for example, to protect aid ships going into Mogadishu, could free up warships to carry out anti-piracy patrols.

Unfortunately, it is not that straightforward as governments have rules on the deployment of military personnel, including medical support for those at risk of gunshot wounds. The details vary country by country but it could be that casualties would have to be within an hour of appropriate medical facilities. So that ties up the warship that has theoretically been freed from its original role by the VPD.

That would imply that any UN initiative would need massive resources to support 'blue beret' VPDs/AMGs.

Home truths

At the same conference, lawyer Stephen Askins of Ince & Co also told some home truths about how negotiations with pirates work and why, he believes, that the shipping industry needs to rethink its approach.

The payment of the ransom normally falls to the hull and cargo underwriters under the general average principle while the liability insurers, the P&I clubs, are not usually involved. The negotiators are usually skilled and experienced but with little understanding of the shipping industry and are briefed to settle for as low a payment as possible.

That may seem sensible except that it means that there is an in-built tendency to play a long game. That results in increased suffering for seafarers, not only because they are deprived of their liberty for a longer time but also because the pirates are resorting to torture and bad treatment to put pressure on the owners to pay up. Tactics employed include telephoning family members and letting them hear seafarers being beaten up and also posting clips of the captives being mistreated on YouTube.

That alone is enough reason to look at ways to get ships and their crews released earlier. There is also a hard-headed commercial reason. Last year, the average time a ship was held by Somali pirates was 201 days. A typical ransom paid was US$4.5 million. Mr Askins calculated that in the case of one vessel the loss of earnings during that time would have been US$13.9 million.

There is a need, this lawyer said, to speed things up. He said that right from the hijacking, all parties involved should get together and decide what their payment should be. Then, the negotiations should be aimed at achieving that without delay.

He also said that there needs to be some sort of safety net in place for ransoms to be paid where hull and cargo insurers have no obligation to pay. This happens when the value of ship and cargo is less than the average ransom being paid for other vessels. The situation is even more difficult where seafarers have been taken ashore and kept when the vessel is released.

Mr Askins says that the P&I clubs need to be involved and the industry needs to work out how to put a safety net in place.

On that subject also last week, the North P&I club held a seminar on 'Sanctions, Drugs and Guns'. Its senior claims executive Joanne Clark said that many shipowners were also considering taking out additional kidnap and ransom (K&R) insurance. 'Such policies can provide certainty of cover, including payment of ransoms while in transit and the costs of negotiators and medical fees. However, they can also be fairly laborious to obtain, requiring detailed voyage and vessel details.'

To me, that raised more questions than answers, and an afternoon spent on the telephone trying to find people who really know the subject did not result in a satisfactory answer to what must be the big question.

Why doesn't every ship transiting the piracy risk areas have K&R insurance? Surely, it cannot be as laborious, and expensive, as trying to extricate your vessel and her traumatised crew from the hands of murderous thugs.

 

 

Unions claim Qantas using strong-arm tactics

(SYDNEY) Unions yesterday accused Qantas of 'sending out thugs' to intimidate staff as thousands of passengers faced disruptions from strike action by the airline's ground workers.

A nationwide walkout by about 4,000 baggage handlers, caterers, and freight staff in a dispute over pay and conditions saw staggered four-hour stoppages throughout the morning peak period.

Twenty-eight domestic flights were cancelled and 27 delayed, Qantas said on its website, with some 6,000 passengers affected.

But the chaos was limited by the airline deploying larger aircraft and using management staff in ground roles, with services back to normal by the afternoon.

The strike follows a breakdown in contract talks and the airline's recent announcement of a major Asia-focused restructure that will see 1,000 staff sacked.

Transport Workers Union (TWU) national secretary Tony Sheldon claimed Qantas representatives visited employees' homes at midnight on Monday to deliver letters condemning the action.

'We want to reach an agreement but sending thugs around to employees' homes at midnight is not required by law,' he told reporters.

'It's only required if you want to intimidate and stand over your own workforce and their families.'

Qantas denied Mr Sheldon's claims of intimidation. 'We have a legal obligation to advise in writing how we intended to respond to the TWU bans,' the airline said in a statement.

'We issued these letters to employees during the day while they were working. For those not at work, the letters were sent to their homes.

'This letter was in no way threatening and was in accordance with our legal requirements under the Fair Work Act.

'Rather than making misleading claims, the TWU should return to sensible negotiations.'

Olivia Wirth, Qantas group executive of government and corporate affairs, earlier said progress could only be made if the union returned to talks and stopped striking.

'What it does take is for this sort of action to stop,' she told reporters. 'If they are serious about these discussions and representing their members, they need to continue their negotiations.'

She added that the airline's focus yesterday had been 'very much on assuring we can run as many services as possible'.

Qantas, which last month reported an annual net profit of A$250 million (S$321 million) - double that of the previous year - is also locked in a bruising industrial dispute with pilots and engineers over pay and conditions.

Another contentious issue has been chief executive Alan Joyce being awarded a 71 per cent pay increase to A$5 million as jobs are being axed, with unions describing it as 'hypocrisy'.

'We are negotiating for job security. I mean we're asking for a 5 per cent pay rise and one per cent on superannuation (pension),' TWU spokesman Mick Pieri told reporters.

'At the same time Joyce gets a 71 per cent pay rise - if Joyce got a 50 per cent rise he might have paid for everything we're asking for. How is that fair?' - AFP

 

 

FROM IFW:

 

Cargo incident database goes live

Container lines will share data on poorly-packed, mis-declared cargo

 
Five of the world’s largest container shipping lines have started sharing information on cargo-related problems.

CMA-CGM, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, Maersk and MSC have gone live with CINSnet, a database to collect and share information on poorly stowed cargo in containers, incorrect packaging or inaccurate weight declaration.

The five set up the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) last November to collaborate on and fund the project.

Its Chairman, Dirk Van de Velde (an executive at MSC) said the objective of the organisation was to highlight risks posed by certain cargo or packing failures to improve safety in liner shipping.

“The original idea was to focus on hazardous freight, but CINSnet will now cover all (cargo) incidents,” said Van de Velde.

“Rather than restrict the aims of CINSnet, the founder members have decided to let the scheme evolve in whatever direction seems appropriate.”

The data will help lines identify specific problems that might require more training for cargo handlers or even amendments to codes such as the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.

Eventually membership could be extended to non-container sectors, he added, with interest already expressed by some bulker and ro-ro vessel operators.

The lines say they will now have hard facts on which to act, should any clear pattern emerge that might require regulatory intervention. However, Van de Velde emphasised that the project does not breach any anti-trust or competition laws.

The TT Club and International Group of P&I Clubs acted as advisory members of the CINS network.

The London-based Container Owners’ Association is acting as a neutral host for the database, which was developed by Exis Technologies, of Darlington, UK.
 
 
 
 
 
UNION/LABOUR RELATED MEDIA
 
 
 
 
 
FROM THE ASU:
 
 
 

***It’s time to show solidarity with Fijian aviation workers at Air Pacific

20 September 2011

By the ASU, the airlines industry union

 

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has called upon all its aviation affliates to show their support for workers at Air Pacific who are about to have their wages, conditions and rights taken away because of a government decree. The ASU is an ITF affiliate and we support the ITF's call and now ask our members to sign the petition calling on Air Pacific to secure the existing wages and conditions of Air Pacific workers.

 

What you can do

 

Air Pacific management has a choice, they do not have to cut wages and conditions as a result of this decree - they can negotiate a new collective agreement.

We want Air Pacific to negotiate and not to use this government action to undermine the industrial rights of workers at this airline.

As we know, Qantas Airways Ltd is the second biggest shareholder in Air Pacific - it owns 46% of the airline and Qantas also codeshares with Air Pacific. There are Qantas managers on the Board of Air Pacific who must have some influence over the company's decisions.

We need to send a clear message to Air Pacific and its shareholders Qantas and the Fijian Government (the largest shareholder) that undermining workers rights is not acceptable.

Please sign the ITF petition which is being signed by aviation workers across Australia and New Zealand and in the Pacific and return it to the ASU ASAP.

 

 

Sign the petition

 

 

You can download the petition below. Please sign it and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

It can then be sent back to us by Monday 3 October using any one of these methods:

EMAIL: Этот e-mail адрес защищен от спам-ботов, для его просмотра у Вас должен быть включен Javascript

FAX: 03 9342 1499

MAIL: ASU National Office, 116 Queensberry St, Carlton South VIC 3053

 

 

More information

 

The ITF has also drafted a fact sheet which you can download below. It provides more information about what is happening in Fiji.

The ACTU is also supporting the campaign check out their website for more information http://www.actu.org.au/.

 

 

Related Documents:

Download the factsheet to find out more (PDF)

 

Contact Details

Name : Linda White, ASU Assistant National Secretary
Telephone : (03) 9342 1400
E-mail : Этот e-mail адрес защищен от спам-ботов, для его просмотра у Вас должен быть включен Javascript
WWW : http://www.asu.asn.au/airlines
 
 
 
 
 
FROM NORSK TRANSPORTARBEIDERFORBUND:
 
 
 

***Global aksjonsdag for Monica

20.september 2011
Lars_Johnsen Mandag 10. oktober blir det gjennomført en internasjonal aksjonsdag for Monica Okpe, kamp mot trakassering av tillitsvalgte og undergraving av faglige rettigheter.

Tekst og foto: Vegard Holm

Vedtaket ble gjort på styremøte i Den Internasjonale Transportarbeiderføderasjonens (ITF) Vegtransportseksjon under et møte i forrige uke. Transportarbeiderforbundets første nestleder, Lars Johnsen, deltok på møtet der han innledet om avskjeden av Monica Okpe.

- Vi diskuterte og planla en internasjonal aksjonsdag retta mot det verdensomspennende transportselskapet DHL, og støtte til vår klubbleder Monica Okpe, forteller han.

Stor entusiasme
På møtet deltok representanter fra Asia, Afrika, Nord- og Sør-Amerika, i tillegg til fra Europa. Johnsen kan rapportere om stor interesse for saken, og entusiasme for å gjennomføre en egen aksjonsdag for Monica Okpe.

- På møtet var det ingen som skrubbet. Støtten var stor, og flere eksempler ble fortalt om DHLs agering rundt omkring i verden. I Kanada jubler fagforeningsfolk over at DHL nå selger seg ut. DHL har i løpet av de siste åtte årene kjøpt opp flere selskaper i landet, med til sammen 2 500 ansatte. Nå når de selger seg ut er det 400 ansatte igjen, sier Lars Johnsen.

Synliggjør angrepene
Erfaringene i ITF er at DHL er av de aller verste arbeidsgiverne i å behandle ansatte uansett land, det er et mønster i det selskapet gjør. En felles global aksjonsdag kan vise fram den globale motstanden mot DHLs anti-fagforeningsvirksomhet, og være samlende for den faglige internasjonale bevegelsen.

- Vi tror en aksjonsdag kan synliggjøre DHLs angrep på tillitsvalgte og faglige rettigheter, og samtidig gi inspirasjon til ansatte om å ta kampen opp mot et uakseptabelt system, sier Transportarbeiderforbundets første nestleder.

Lars Johnsen er i dag og i morgen i Helsinki og drøfter kampen mot DHL med sine nordiske kolleger på seksjonsmøte for spedisjon og lager i Nordisk Transportarbeiderføderasjon. Også i de nordiske landene skal kampen mot DHL synliggjøres.

 
 
 
TRANSLATION:
 
 
 
 
 
Global aksjonsdag for Monica
20 September 2011
Lars_Johnsen Monday 10
October, it conducted an international aksjonsdag for Monica Okpe, battle against harassment by officers and an undermining of trade union rights.

Text and photo: Vegard Holm

The decision was made at a board meeting of the International Transportarbeiderføderasjonens (ITF) Vegtransportseksjon during a meeting last week.
Transport Workers' Federation first vice chairman, Lars Johnsen, attended the meeting where he started the resignation of Monica Okpe.

- We discussed and planned an international aksjonsdag aimed at the worldwide delivery company DHL, and support to our steward Monica Okpe, he said.

Great enthusiasm
The meeting was attended by representatives from Asia, Africa, North and South America, as well as from Europe.
Johnsen can report great interest in the matter, and enthusiasm to carry a separate aksjonsdag for Monica Okpe.

- At the meeting there was no one who scrubbed. The support was great, and several examples were told about DHL 'actions around the world. In Canada cheering union people that DHL is now selling out. DHL has over the past eight years acquired several companies in the country, with around 2 500 employees.
Now when they sell out the 400 employees left, said Lars Johnsen.

Visibility attacks
Experience in the ITF is that DHL is the worst employers to treat employees irrespective of the country, there is a pattern in what the company does.
A common global aksjonsdag can show the global resistance against DHL's anti-union activities, and be unifying for the professional international movement.

- We believe a aksjonsdag can highlight DHL's attack on trade union representatives and union rights, while providing inspiration for employees to take up the fight against an intolerable system, says Transport Workers' Federation first vice chairman.

Lars Johnsen is today and tomorrow in Helsinki and discuss the fight against DHL with his Nordic colleagues in the section meeting for shipping and storage in the Nordic Transport Workers Federation. Also in the Nordic countries to fight against DHL made visible.
 
 
 
 
 

***Øker trykket for Monica Okpe

Konserntillitsvalgt Bente Løvaas ber Kraft Foods i Europa slutte å bruke DHL i Norge. Internasjonal fagbevegelse planlegger global aksjonsdag mot DHL.

Vegard Holm, Transportarbeideren
Publisert 14.09.2011 kl 14:05 Oppdatert 15.09.2011 kl 09:34
Lars Johnsen er nestleder i Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund
Lars Johnsen i Transportarbeiderforbundet skal drøfte gjennomføringen av en internasjonal aksjonsdag for Monica Okpe i ITF. Foto: Vegard Holm
 
 

Bente Løvaas er øverste faglige tillitsvalgt innen Kraft Foods i Europa. Hun sier til Transportarbeideren at selskapets egne etisk regler stiller krav om at fagforeninger skal respekteres.

- En slik henvendelse som dette har vi aldri gjort tidligere, men DHLs oppførsel bryter mot Kraft Foods eget regelverk. Dette må få konsekvenser, sier Løvaas.

Toppet seg

Løvaas har sendt henvendelsen til Gail Axon, som er Kraft Foods Europa-ansvarlige for at ansatte overholder lover og bestemmelser, og selskapets egne interne regler. Kopi av henvendelsen er sendt til Duncan Campell, som er ansvarlig for lager og transport i Europa.

I e-posten viser Løvaas til at det har vært et høyt konfliktnivå ved DHL i flere år, og at LO og Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund (NTF) har forsøkt å finne løsning på problemene gjennom de siste tre årene uten å lykkes.

Løvaas skriver at det toppet seg i mai da klubbleder Monica Okpe på DHL Supply Chain ble avskjediget. Okpe har vært en aktiv fagforeningsleder og pådriver i kampen mot ulovlig bruk av vikarer. LO og NTF har stevnet DHL både for Arbeidsretten for brudd på Hovedavtalen, og tingretten for usaklig avskjed.

Hovedlageret

I henvendelsen vises det også til at fagbevegelsen i mange land har problemer med DHL, og planlegger en internasjonal kampanje mot selskapet. Kraft Foods bes om å ikke akseptere slik oppførsel overfor fagbevegelsen, og oppfordres altså til å slutte å bruke DHL.

Kraft Foods (Freia) bruker DHL Supply Chain på Ulven som hovedlager for sine varer i Norge, og er dermed en stor kunde, kanskje den største. Det er herfra alle varer selskapet produserer i Norge, eller importerer fra utlandet, kjøres ut til butikkene eller andre lagre.

Global aksjonsdag

Seinere i dag reiser Transportarbeiderforbundets første nestleder, Lars Johnsen, til Geneve. Han skal delta på et styremøte i Den Internasjonale Transportarbeiderføderasjonens (ITF) Vegtransportkomite som skal drøfte en internasjonal kampanjedag til støtte for Monica Okpe.

- Vi skal planlegge en internasjonal aksjonsdag retta mot DHL og støtte til klubbleder Monica Okpe. Den konkrete innrettingen på aksjonsdagen skal vi diskutere, men vi må jo få blest om hva slags politikk DHL har overfor tillitsvalgte og ansatte over hele verden. Jeg tenker meg at vi lager til demonstrasjoner og markering ved flest mulig hovedkontor og anlegg DHL driver i flest mulig land, sier Johnsen i en kommentar.

Han tror aksjonsdagen vil bli gjennomført 10. oktober.

 
 
 
 
 
TRANSLATION:
 
 
 
Increasing pressure for Monica Okpe

Chief shop steward Bente Løvaas ask Kraft Foods in Europe to stop using DHL in Norway.
International trade unions are planning global aksjonsdag against DHL.
Vegard Holm, Transportation Worker E-mail
Posted 14.09.2011 at 2:05 p.m. Updated 09/15/2011 at 9:34
Lars Johnsen, vice chairman of the Norwegian Transport Workers' Federation
Lars Johnsen Transport Workers Union to discuss the implementation of an international aksjonsdag for Monica Okpe in the ITF.
Photo: Vegard Holm

Bente Løvaas is the top professional steward in Kraft Foods in Europe.
She says to transport workers that the company's own ethical rules require that unions be respected.

- Such an inquiry like this, we have never done before, but DHL's behavior violates the Kraft Foods' own regulations.
This must have consequences, says the Act.
Peaked

Løvaas have sent inquiry to Gail Axon, which is Kraft Foods Europe, responsible for ensuring that employees comply with laws and regulations and its own internal rules.
A copy of the request is sent to Duncan Campbell, who is responsible for warehousing and transportation in Europe.

In the e-mail Løvaas shows that there has been a high level of conflict by DHL for several years, and that the LO and the Norwegian Transport Workers' Federation (NTF) have tried to find solution to the problems over the last three years without success.

Løvaas writes that it peaked in May when the steward Monica Okpe the DHL Supply Chain was dismissed. Okpe has been an active union leader and advocate in the fight against the illegal use of temporary workers.
LO and the NTF has sued DHL both the Labour Court for violation of the Basic Agreement, and the district court for unfair dismissal.
Main bearings

The inquiry also appears that trade unions in many countries have problems with DHL, and is planning an international campaign against the company.
Kraft Foods is requested to not accept such behavior to the trade union movement, and therefore urged to stop using DHL.

Kraft Foods (Freia) uses DHL Supply Chain on the wolf as the main warehouse for its products in Norway, and is thus a major customer, perhaps the biggest.
This is where all the goods the company produces in Norway, or import from abroad, run out to stores or other stores.
Global aksjonsdag

Later in the day journeys Transport Workers Federation first vice chairman, Lars Johnsen, to Geneva.
He will attend a meeting of the International Transportarbeiderføderasjonens (ITF) Vegtransportkomite to discuss an international kampanjedag in support of Monica Okpe.

- We are planning an international aksjonsdag directed against DHL and support to steward Monica Okpe. The specific alignment on the day of action we shall discuss, but we have to get publicity for what kind of policy DHL has to officers and employees worldwide.
I believe that we make to the demonstrations and marking the largest possible head office and plant DHL operates in many countries as possible, says Johnson in a comment.

He believes the day of action will become effective 10 October.
 
 
 
 
 
FROM THE SUR:
 
 
 
***Новая сильная эпоха
В Аммане прошел региональный семинар МФТ для женщин, представляющих транспортную отрасль. В нем приняли участие 35 молодых активисток из девяти стран, вдохновленные идей построения сильных профсоюзов в арабском мире. Семинар, организованный МФТ, предоставил девушкам уникальную возможность обменяться опытом, обсудить насущные проблемы в отрасли и способы вовлечения в профсоюзы женщин.
Молодые транспортницы определили сильные и слабые стороны профсоюзного движения в арабских странах, обсудили план действий, который позволит на практике усовершенствовать работу. Кроме того, женщины получили возможность определить свои лидерские качества, решать конфликтные ситуации, с которыми сталкиваются представительницы прекрасного пола на рабочих местах.
«Участие в подобном семинаре долгое время оставалось для меня мечтой, – сказала генеральный секретарь независимого союза работников компании «Cairo Airport» Махмуд Хана. – Он дал нам возможность поделиться друг с другом идеями, как усовершенствовать работу в профсоюзах. Мы увозим из Аммана новые знания, которые принесут нам пользу в работе и помогут построить сильные профсоюзы с активным участием женщин».
«Эта встреча стала исторической, поскольку 70% участниц были моложе 35 лет и активно принимали участие в работе семинара, – отметил региональный секретарь МФТ в арабских странах Билал Малкави. – Я абсолютно уверен, что женское движение в регионе вступает в новую сильную эпоху».
 
 
 
TRANSLATION:
 
 
A new era of strong
Amman ITF regional seminar for women, representing the transport industry. It was attended by 35 young activists from nine countries, inspired by the ideas of building strong trade unions in the Arab world.
The seminar, organized by the ITF, offered girls the chance to share experiences, discuss current problems in the industry and ways to involve women in trade unions.
Young transportnitsy identified strengths and weaknesses of the trade union movement in the Arab countries, discussed a plan of action that would improve the functioning in practice.
In addition, women were able to identify their leadership skills to resolve conflict situations faced by the fair sex in the workplace.
"Participation in such a seminar has long been a dream for me, - said the secretary general of the independent union of employees of the company« Cairo Airport »Mahmood Khan. - He gave us the opportunity to share ideas with each other, how to improve the functioning of trade unions.
We have taken away from Amman, the new knowledge that will benefit us in the work and help build a strong trade unions with the active participation of women. "
"This meeting was historic, as 70% of participants were younger than 35 years and actively participated in the seminar, - said the regional secretary of the ITF in the Arab world Bilal Malkav. - I am absolutely convinced that the women's movement in the region is entering a new era of strong. "
 
 
 
 
FROM UNION MAGAZINE (UK):
 
 

Pilots' union raises BMI sell-off concern

A union representing airline pilots has called on the Government to intervene to ensure that jobs in British Midland (bmi) are protected after parent company Lufthansa announced it was looking to sell the company.

The German airline plans to dispose of bmi, bmi baby and bmi regional in a move which the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) said could involve their break-up.

“This is serious,” said BALPA general secretary Jim McAuslan. “Unemployment is on the increase and British jobs are at risk. We’ve already seen, with Bombardier, another East Midlands-based employer, what can happen if the Government doesn’t intervene.

“Too often in the UK - compared to elsewhere in Europe - the human factor is ignored. These are highly-skilled and trained pilots whose ‘worth’ won’t appear on the balance sheet but will add real value to an airline and our economy.”

BALPA has also demanded that landing slots at Heathrow are not sold out without key protections for Britain.

“Airlines are circling bmi as a potential way to asset strip its prized landing slots at the world’s most congested hub airport, London Heathrow.” Mr McAuslan added. “But look at Frankfurt; can you imagine the German Government sitting back whilst a foreign owned and managed company became a major presence at Frankfurt? Or would the French give other airlines a strategic presence in Paris?

“Heathrow is the UK’s main hub, and we - and the British Government - shouldn’t be afraid of promoting UK airlines and British jobs.”

BALPA has called on Transport Secretary Philip Hammond to intervene in the issue.

“As with Bombardier, this is a critical issue for Britain,” Mr McAuslan said. “Our message to the Government is clear - don’t let bmi become another Bombardier.”

BMI made a loss of £106m in the first half of 2011.

 
 
 
 
 
 
PRESS RELEASES
 
 
 

MEDIEN INFO Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft:

Alle Jahre wieder: Monopolkommission langweilt mit immer wiederkehrenden Vorschlägen

Die EVG hat Forderungen der Monopolkommission zur Trennung von Netz und Betrieb bei der DB zurückgewiesen. Das Gremium hatte in einem Sondergutachten wieder einmal entsprechende Vorschläge gemacht. Für die Gewerkschaft sind die Thesen der Wissenschaftler unverständlich und falsch. Der Wettbewerb auf dem deutschen Schienennetz ist weit entwickelt und liegt vor Ländern, in denen die Trennung existiert. Es gibt nachweislich keinen Zusammenhang zwischen Trennung und Wettbewerb im Schienenverkehr.

 

Die Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft (EVG) hat die Vorschläge der Monopolkommission zur Trennung von Netz und Betrieb bei der Bahn zurückgewiesen. "Diese Positionen scheint das Gremiums jährlich aus der Wiedervorlagemappe herauszuholen - sie werden allerdings dadurch weder richtiger noch besser", kritisierte der EVG-Vorsitzende Alexander Kirchner. Die Wissenschaftler hatten zuvor verlangt, den Wettbewerb auf der Schiene durch die Trennung anzukurbeln.

"Der Wettbewerb hierzulande funktioniert", unterstrich Kirchner. Er verwies dabei unter anderem auf die zahlreichen Bahnen anderer ausländischer Konzerne, die in Deutschland unterwegs seien. "Wenn sich die Wissenschaft so intensive Gedanken um den Wettbewerb macht, wäre es schön, wenn sich diese Gedanken auch um die Beschäftigten ranken würden", betonte der Gewerkschafter. Hier habe die EVG mit ihrem Branchentarifvertrag im Nahverkehr auf der Schiene bereits Pflöcke eingerammt. Dieser Tarifvertrag müsse jetzt von der Politik und den Verantwortlichen mit entsprechenden Maßnahmen flankiert werden.

"Ziel muss es nämlich sein, den Wettbewerb auf dem Rücken der Beschäftigten zu verhindern", so Kirchner. Dies müsse auf der politischen Agenda ganz oben stehen. "Das könnte sich auch die Monopolkommission zum Ziel setzen, statt die Öffentlichkeit alle Jahre wieder mit ihren immer wiederkehrenden Vorschlägen zu langweilen."

Rückfragen:

Michael Klein, 030 - 42 43 90 70 oder 0173 - 301 61 57

---

Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft

Pressestelle/Redaktion

Chausseestraße 84, 10115 Berlin

Tel (030) 42 43 90 75

Fax (030) 42 43 90 71

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TRANSLATION:

 

MEDIA INFO Railway and Transport union:
Year by Year: Monopolies Commission is bored with recurrent proposals

The EDC has rejected calls by the Monopolies Commission for the separation of infrastructure and operations on the DB. The Panel had made in a special report once proposals. For the union, the theories of the scientists are wrong and incomprehensible. The competition on the German rail network is well developed and is ahead of countries in which there is separation.
There is evidence of no association between separation and competition in rail transport.
 
The Railway and Transport union (EDC) has rejected the proposals of the Monopolies Commission for the separation of infrastructure and operations at the track. "This positions the body appears annually in the resubmission folder get - but because they are neither real nor better," criticized the EDC chairman Alexander Kirchner.
The scientists had previously requested to boost competition in the rail through the separation.

"Competition works in this country", said Kirchner. He referred in part to the numerous tracks of other foreign corporations that are traveling in Germany. "If the science is so concerned about the intense competition makes it'd be nice if these ideas would also have grown to the employees," said the unionist. Here, the EDC did with their sectoral collective agreement in transport by rail already rammed pegs.
This agreement must now be in charge of the policies and flanked with appropriate measures.

"The goal must be namely, to prevent competition on the backs of the employees," said Kirchner. This must be on the political agenda.
"This could be the Monopolies Commission set the goal, rather than the public every year to get bored with their repetitive proposals."

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                 

 

 

 

                                                                                                  Mrs. J. Lancashire.,

                                                                                                  15, Criccieth Court,

                                                                                                  Stanney Grange,

                                                                                                  Ellesmere Port,

                                                                                                  CHESHIRE CH65 9DX

                                                                                                  Tel: 0151 356 0725

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To Whom It May Concern:

 

 

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

RE – MISSING CRUISE SHIP WORKER REBECCA CORIAM.

 

May I take the time to introduce myself, my name is Jacqueline Lancashire I am the Aunty of Rebecca Coriam and it is six months since Rebecca went missing.  We need your help to further the campaign and in doing so highlight other cases along the way, because the cruise industry is renowned for dismissing any claims made against them, including taking any responsibility in giving answers to Family’s of Victims of Crimes on Board.

 

Rebecca was working as a youth worker, on the Disney Wonder when she went missing at sea on the Mexican Riviera early morning on the 22nd March 2011.  Rebecca was a lively well loved 24 year old who enjoyed her job as a Youth Worker.

Since that day the family are still waiting for answers as to what has happened to Rebecca.  The letters we have received from the families of the children Rebecca looked after said what a lovely girl she was and how happy and enjoyable she had made the cruise for their children, and that they were shocked and dismayed about what has happened.

 

A few weeks later we hear that another person a man Mr. John Halford went missing from a cruise ship in the Red Sea on the 6th April.  We started looking into the Missing Persons at Sea and became aware that since 1995 165 people have now gone missing at sea.  This year only there have been 12 people, since Rebecca there have been 5 more missing.  This is happening regularly cruise ships hardly ever comment and if they do they say “cruise lines are not obliged to report any crimes that may occur on their cruise vessel unless they are a US National.

 

 

 

 

FLAG OF CONVENIENCE

 

The Family have become aware of the ships flying under the flag of convenience (FOC).  International Maritime Organization (IMO) “requires all ships engaged in international trade to have a Country of registry in order to sail in international waters.  A ship is considered territory of the Country in which it is registered.  This clause is particularly important as it states “ a country” and could pertain to any country, developed or undeveloped more importantly the ship is considered the territory of its country, making them subject to that countries law and regulations “by opting to re-flag in the new nation, a vessel owner becomes subject to the safety, labour, and environmental codes of that nation thus, those nations whose open registries have become the most popular also tend to be those who posses the most lax labour, safety, and environmental codes” (wing, 2003, p1176).  The majority of cruise ships today are registered to Panama or the Bahamas.  Cruise lines including the Disney Wonder avoid drawing attention to the FOC by using the term “headquartered in Miami, Florida.

 

It has also come to our attention that the cruise lines do not hold records of their employees who have committed crimes on board, they do not pass information on to other cruise companies which means this leaves the door wide open for thieves, rapist, paedophiles or worse to board their ships.  Also unlike aeroplanes with Federal Marshals cruise ships have no police authorities aboard, the few security guards on the ships are loyal to their employer who pays their salary – not to the passenger.

 

International Cruise Victims (ICV) http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/ Chairman Mr. Kendall Carver, with the help of Senator John Kerry and Congresswoman Doris Matsui has been successful in changing the law for US Nationals in 2010.   President Obama, The US congress passed the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act 2010 which requires cruise ships to report shipboard crimes to the FBI and US Coast Guard for any US National and to maintain rape kits aboard their ships.

 

Victim Support Europe has joined International Cruise Victims to have The European Union (EU) adapt safety regulations – currently 26 nationals and regional organizations re affiliated to Victim Support Europe.

 

Mike and Ann Rebecca’s parents do not know what has happened to their lovely daughter, but they will not give up until they get the answers.  The family are passionate to get the law changed for British and European passengers/crewmembers to have the same protection as US Nationals.   Chester M.P. Mr Stephen Mosley brought up Rebecca’s case in the House of Commons; the Shipping Minister Parliamentary under Secretary of State Mr Mike Penning has asked to meet with Mike and Ann on the 12th September 2011, as to how to move forward with regards to changing the UK Laws; also Anne Coughlan will be representing Victims Support UK in attendance with the Minister.

 

As part of the campaign we have had a lot of regional coverage BBC North West Tonight, Granada Reports, Local Radio, and National Papers in the UK, American Press, L.A. Times, plus TV coverage by CNN, and Fox News.

 

We The Rebecca Coriam Search Foundation with dear family and friends, request your help to this campaign in order to put public pressure on behalf of British Citizens and Rebecca to change the laws regarding Cruise Industry; in doing so we hope to have the answers to the mystery that surrounds Rebecca’s disappearance and for those other families that have suffered any forms of criminal activity in International Waters; and to make the Cruise Industry answer for the things they have been brushing under the carpet for so long.

 

We have links to an E - petition on Rebecca’s Coriam’s Official family website for changing the laws for UK Passengers/crewmembers please take the time to have a look and sign the petition.

 

Thank you for your time,

 

We look forward to hearing from you soon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Jacqueline Lancashire

 Director of The Rebecca Coriam Search Foundation Ltd.

 

 

 Links

 

 

http://www.rebecca-coriam.com

 

·  UK PETITION. Cruise Vessel security and safety Act.

·  EU Petition. Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act 2010 [EU] PETITON

·  Cruise Law News

·  International Cruise Victims Association