ITF-affiliated civil aviation unions in Francophone Africa came together in Senegal on 20 and 21 January, to develop their skills in tackling HIV/AIDS. Twenty-six workers from 11 nations, including 10 women workers, attended the seminar. It was the first time that workers from Niger, Mauritania and Congo Brazzaville have taken part in an ITF HIV/AIDS […]
January 30, 2014
The fight for rights for Delta Air Lines cabin crew came to Europe this week, as grassroots activists kicked off a week of activities in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on Monday 6 January.
The ITF-affiliated International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), based in the USA, have campaigned on organising for over a year at every Delta location in the USA. They want a vote on organising flight attendants at the airline, which is the world’s largest non-union carrier, and are urging Delta flight attendants to sign the authorisation cards necessary to call an election.
A key demand of the campaign is the issue of contracts – Delta flight attendants are ‘at-will’ employees who can be dismissed for any reason and are working without contracts. Delta pilots, on the other hand, have a union and are covered by contracts.
Activities in Amsterdam between 6 and 10 January will give Delta flight attendants the chance to learn more about the campaign and the benefits of joining a union.
ITF civil aviation secretary Gabriel Mocho welcomed the campaign’s European debut, saying: “The professionalism of cabin crew at Delta cannot be underestimated. These workers keep passengers safe every day of the year, yet each and every one of them could face the sack at zero notice. We welcome this campaign to raise awareness on the benefits of organisation, and offer our full support and backing to the campaign. We urge our affiliates to reach out to Delta flight attendants, to share their experiences of belonging to a union, and to help raise standards for them”.
Find out more about the IAM Delta campaign, and download your authorisation cards, at www.iamdelta.net
Stay up to date with the latest campaign news by liking IAM Delta’s Facebook page
Visit the ITF Delta campaign page at http://www.itfglobal.org/civil-aviation/atlanta.cfm
January 7, 2014
A consensus accord between Turkish Airlines (THY) and the ITF-affiliated Turkish civil aviation union (Hava-Is) on 19th December will ensure the reinstatement of 305 sacked workers and end a 20-month dispute at the airline. A collective agreement covering 2013, 2014 and 2015 was also reached.
The 305 workers in question were laid off after taking action in May 2012 to protest against legislation banning strikes in the aviation industry. Despite court rulings in favour of more than 170 of the dismissed members of Hava-Is, the airline repeatedly refused to reinstate any of the workers. A significant ITF campaign was launched to support the union and “reinstate the 305”. In March 2013 the ITF, together with Hava-Is, lodged a complaint against the Turkish government at the ILO.
Commenting on the agreement, the union’s newly-elected president, Ali Kemal Tatlibal said that all 305 workers will be reinstated and that THY managers had also agreed not to hire part-time cabin crew and to shift existing part-time cabin crew contracts to full time jobs.
ITF civil aviation section secretary Gabriel Mocho declared: “We are delighted to see that a deal has been finally reached through proper negotiation between THY and our affiliate Hava-Is – showing that determination pays off. It’s a fantastic outcome that we hope will help the Turkish government to repair its tarnished reputation.”
December 24, 2013
ITF affiliates the Swaziland Transport & Allied Workers’ Union (STAWU) continued strike action against the Swaziland Civil Aviation Authority (SWACAA) over a wage dispute last week. Meanwhile, STAWU secured a cost of living increase in a dispute with Swaziland Airlink on 17 December, putting further pressure on SWACAA to come to an agreement with the union.
The strike against SWACAA, which started on 12 December, was called in response to apparent employer intransigence over a living wage for workers. When the union asked for higher wages to reflect cost of living increases, SWACAA management claimed to be bound by government restrictions on what they could pay. Management also stated that any increases beyond their offer would need to be approved through a complex structure, ending in Cabinet of Ministers approval.
When the Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC) ruled deadlock, SWACAA implemented its proposed pay rise – without worker consultation. The union called a strike in response, and a number of those who took part were reported to be facing arrest.
This is not the first time that Swaziland’s trade union rights record has been in the spotlight. Back in June, the country was name-checked in an ITUC report on trade union rights abuses, with a special focus on the illegitimate arrests of union activists in light of their opposition to the absolute monarchy in the country.
STAWU industrial relations officer Sticks Nkambule yesterday praised ‘the constructive tone of engagement from the management team of Swaziland Airlink’. ITF Africa regional secretary Joseph Katende hailed the wage victory: “This is a great example of a constructive relationship between management and staff– we congratulate Swaziland Airlink on their engagement with workers. We hope that SWACAA learn from and follow this example.”
The dispute with SWACAA continues.
December 19, 2013
The ITF is taking action to support a Swaziland Airlink engineer, who has been dismissed after reporting an alleged racist incident at the hands of a white cabin crew member.
Vusi Nxumalo, who was based in Johannesburg when the alleged incident took place in January 2013, filed a grievance reporting that he had been the victim of harassment, manhandling and offensive, racist language.
Following the hearing, the cabin crew member – who is employed by South African Airlink, a partner of Swaziland Airlink – received a written warning for manhandling Mr Nxumalo. However the engineer`s racism claim was thrown out as false. Mr Nxumalo was then accused of submitting a false statement and of gross insolence towards the cabin crew member. His union, the ITF-affiliated Swaziland Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (STAWU) successfully represented him and he was cleared of both charges – but he remained suspended, despite further solidarity support by STAWU and sister affiliate the South African Transport & Allied Workers’ Union (SATAWU).
Finally, Swaziland Airlink wrote to inform Mr Nxumalo of its decision to terminate his employment, saying South African Airlink – to whom it claims he was seconded – had lost confidence in him.
The contention of the ITF and STAWU is that serious irregularities have occurred in the events leading up to Mr Nxumalo’s dismissal. In the first place, they argue, he had not been seconded to South African Airlink at all, but, like all other Swaziland Airlink maintenance engineers, was based in Johannesburg to work on aircraft fully leased to the Swazi company. Moreover, no written record of the initial grievance hearing has been issued; company and legal codes empowering employees to file grievances have been disregarded; and a legal obligation on the part of the employer to consult with an employee and/or his union in an attempt at mitigation before any termination has been ignored.
In a letter to the management of Swaziland Airlink on 13 November, ITF civil aviation secretary Gabriel Mocho warned the ITF was ready to mobilise publicity and international solidarity in support of Mr Nxumalo.
ITF African regional secretary Joe Katende said: “ITF Africa affiliates embrace the culture of ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’, and will fight for him to the successful end.”
Read more about ITF affiliates in Swaziland at http://bit.ly/11YBiSx – solidarity in Swaziland
November 29, 2013
After a fightback lasting over two years, the ITF-affiliated Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) has won an agreement from Philippines Airlines for the return to work of staff who were outsourced on inferior conditions and short term contracts, threatened with redundancy, and even locked out. Thanks to the union’s determination the airline has now agreed that six hundred staff who refused to claim separation benefits will be re-employed in their regular posts.
PALEA’s resistance has been backed throughout by unions in the Philippines and worldwide.
ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton commented: “Since the outsourcing plan was first mooted in 2010 PALEA has fought back against it in a tireless defence of those thousands of jobs. They said the plan was crazy, unfair and risked the wellbeing of the airline itself. They were backed in this by their trade union colleagues in the Philippines and worldwide. Now they have been proved right.”
Paddy Crumlin, ITF president and national secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), added: “What stands out first and foremost in this important victory is the strength and determination of the members of PALEA. For two years they waged a struggle, standing fast as a united group. That struggle also brought out the best in our ITF network globally as union members on every continent showed solidarity, either by simple messages sent to show support, leafleting Philippine Airlines and even visits to the camp set up near the PAL terminal. Let this victory stand as an example for us to follow in the day, months and years as we unite across the globe to push back against injustice that threatens a fair living for all transport workers.
“In Australia, ITF affiliates have run a long campaign to assist our comrades in the Philippines and this has been replicated around the globe. Importantly, PALEA members continued to offer their solidarity to other global ITF campaigns throughout their struggle.”
The history of PALEA’s fightback and the international solidarity that supported it can be seen at www.saveourpalsjobs.org
November 19, 2013
Workers from across the globe are keeping up the pressure in support of striking Turkish Airlines (THY) workers who were unfairly sacked by phone, email or text.
THY workers have been striking for nearly 170 days. The latest wave of action, which ran from 7-20 October, aimed to raise awareness of the workers’ situation among THY passengers. The action was organised by THY workers’ union Hava-Is.
The ITF-affiliated Philippines Airlines Employers Association (PALEA) handed out leaflets to THY passengers in Makati City, Philippines, and visited the local THY sales office to raise awareness. The Federation of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria (FTTUB) also took part in the campaign, handing out flyers to passengers waiting to check in at Sofia airport. The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union joined with Australia Asia Worker Links to raise awareness at Tullamarine Airport International Terminal, while workers from the Indian Airports Employees Union distributed 200 leaflets to THY passengers on arrival in Mumbai.
Global union federation the International Union of Food Workers (IUF), which represents workers in hotels, hospitality, catering and associated fields, also organised an urgent global appeal, urging affiliates to put pressure on THY senior management to get back around the negotiating table.
ITF civil aviation secretary Gabriel Mocho Rodriguez said: “Striking Hava-Is workers remain strong! We stand side-by-side with our affiliates in calling on THY management to get back around the table with their workers, to open up dialogue with them, and to put passenger and crew health and safety first.”
The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) met on 23 October 2013, to discuss the legal implications of this ongoing battle between THY and workers. ITF civil aviation assistant secretary Kemal Ulker spoke at this conference, which was attended by a mixture of workers, lawyers and academics. You can read about it on the ITF Aviation blog >>
Check out pictures from global actions here>>
Read more about the reinstate the 305 campaign, including finding out how to get involved, at http://www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/reinstate305.cfm
October 30, 2013
The ITF this week branded Qatar Airways’ (QA) imminent membership of prestigious world aviation grouping the oneworld alliance “a disgrace”. The ITF, which exposed QA’s treatment of women workers last month, is leading protests against QA’s ascension to the alliance next Wednesday 30th October. The oneworld alliance currently includes global giants like British Airways and American Airlines.
In the draconian regulations set out in their contracts, women workers at QA are prevented from marrying, while pregnancy means dismissal. There are also restrictions on where workers can eat or drink, what transport they can use, and who they can be seen in public with. Breaking regulations or conditions is likely to result in sacking and deportation: a real worry for the 90 percent of QA’s workforce who aren’t Qatari nationals.
ITF president Paddy Crumlin commented: “The labour relations at Qatar Airways are a running sore on the face of the global aviation industry. Autocratic, overbearing and near-dictatorial, this airline gains control and competitive advantage by ignoring International Labour Organization conventions on worker rights. Its treatment of its employees borders on the appalling.
“In its current form it is not a fit partner for the members of the oneworld alliance. Its inclusion is a disgrace. If it is going to be accepted as a world class airline then it has to make fundamental changes throughout its entire structure. Those changes have to start at the top, with the replacement of its CEO, Akbar Al-Bakr, who is responsible for much of the disastrous relations with its own employees – and then be carried right through Qatari society, as the recent shocking revelations about the treatment of construction workers there demands.”
ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) general secretary Sharan Burrow stated: “The exposure of the abuses of workers in Qatar has put nations and companies on notice. International pressure is growing, and companies which fail to take responsibility for workers’ rights and follow global rules risk reputational damage.”
Read the press release in full >> to find out more about QA worker abuses and why using Facebook could get you fired from QA.
Check out ITUC’s page on Qatar at http://www.ituc-csi.org/qatar
October 25, 2013
