Gathering in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the IndustriALL Global Union 2nd Congress, IndustriALL’s Executive Committee united on key proposals at a meeting on the eve of the big event.

IndustriALL Global Union has written to the CEO of the state-owned Israel Natural Gas Lines (INGL) calling on the company to respect labour rights and negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with IndustriALL affiliate Histadrut. 

IndustriALL women in the Philippines participated in a recent public hearing on the proposed law on increasing maternity leave to 120 days.

On 20-22 September about 50 workers’ and trade union representatives from Europe, Asia and North America where SKF Group, the world-leading producer of bearings, has operations, came to Poznan, Poland. The participants exchanged views on labour related issues in SKF, including the upcoming changes in the group.

At a meeting of IndustriALL affiliates at Shell, unions took a stand against precarious work and the company’s failure to recognize union rights.

Five terminated employees of Tapukara plant of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) began a hunger strike on 19 September demanding reinstatement of workers and the withdrawal of false police charges filed against them.

Today, IndustriALL Global Union and Tchibo signed a global framework agreement in Hamburg, empowering workers and unions at Non Food supplier companies of Tchibo to bargain collectively on wages, social benefits and working hours in their companies and across the industry.

A survey on the use of precarious work at Shell highlights violations of workers’ rights by the company.

Japanese-owned company NT Philippines violates labour rights in the Cavite Economic Zone in the Philippines.

Workers at Shougang Hierro Peru mining company have begun an indefinite general strike. They are striking for a decent pay increase and against attacks on workers, as well as demanding better health and safety in the mines.

As former Brazilian president Lula da Silva is under attack and facing an unjustified trial, the international trade union movement is coming together to protest against the sham charges.

With less than two weeks to go until the IndustriALL Global Union 2nd Congress, IndustriALL is looking forward to welcoming some 1,400 trade union leaders from over 100 countries to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 4-7 October. 

IndustriALL Global Union’s affiliate in Georgia has begun labour dispute proceedings with fertilizer producer Azot, as the company’s management continues to avoid negotiating with trade union representatives.

IndustriALL Global Union and the newly affiliated, Textile Workers’ Union of Kyrgyzstan held their first ever meeting in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek on 5 September.

IndustriALL Kyrgyz affiliate the Mining and Metallurgy Trade Union of Kyrgyzstan (MMTUK) has recruited 12,000 workers since 2008 by taking a targeted approach to organizing, almost tripling membership from 8,000 to 20,000.

NUMSA has concluded a negotiation with car makers for a 35% wage increase over three years.

Trade unions of STMicroelectronics from France, Italy, Malaysia, Malta and Morocco met for the first time and launched the trade union network on 15-16 September at IndustriALL head office in Geneva, Switzerland.

On 13-15 September, more than 30 workers’ representatives of HeidelbergCement and former Italcementi gathered in Hockenheim, Germany.

A strike at the Anglo American’s coal mine in Queensland, Australia has entered its fourth week, as the company refuses to negotiate in good faith with workers. The situation has escalated as the mining giant attempts to bring in strike-breakers to undermine the workforce even though the strike is legal.

IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in the chemical industry in the Asia Pacific region maintain their unity through strong union networks.