Copyright (c) 1998, Joongpil Cho
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| Author | Shem Hogan, TGWU, Cornwall England |
| Date | 00/02/02/10:44 |
| Hit Count | 582 |
| On Tuesday, 18 January 2000, Mr. Malcolm Mellow and
myself attended a meeting with our National Secretary, Mr. Len McCluskey at the TGWU Central Office, London. The purpose of the meeting was to meet representatives of PACE, who had indicated that they wished to update us on "some problems" they were experiencing since the Imetal/ECC merger. We met Joe Drexler, Penny Schantz and Keith Fulbright. We were not prepared for the story they had to tell, and having sat in stunned silence and watched the PACE video, we were totally dumbfounded and initially lost for words. We could not believe that ECCI could behave in such a manner, or take such drastic measures to destroy the trade union structure at its American sites. We also found it difficult to comprehend that ECCI workers in America were being told that ECCI does not recognize trade unions at any of its plants, including those in England. On that point, I feel I must set the record straight immediately ECCI has been a major employer in Devon and Cornwall for as long as anyone can remember and throughout that time, trade unions have been an integral feature of the company. All employees, whether they be management, white collar, or production workers, have been free to join a trade union. As an example, Mr. Malcolm Mellow, who attended the PACE meeting in London, is following in his father's footsteps. Malcolm has been an active TGWU representative for many years and is now the senior TGWU representative for the Devon and Cornwall operation. He is also Chairman of the multi- union Shop Stewards' committee. His father, Mr. Syd Mellow, who also worked for ECCI for many years before he retired, was also an active TGWU member and secretary of one of our local Branches. This situation is common amongst ECCI workers in England. Many of our active union members will tell similar stories of their fathers and uncles who worked all their lives for ECCI and were, during their entire period of employment, active union members and part of a company recognized trade union structure. Since being appointed TGWU District Secretary for Cornwall in August 1998, I have had direct responsibility for our members employed by ECCI, now Imerys. During that short period, I have attended numerous meetings (too many to number) with ECCI management including senior management like Mr. Dennis Rediker. The management/trade union relationship is reasonably good, although we obviously have the occasional problems. We are currently launching a major initiative to improve further the working relationship/industrial relations between the union and management. This involves organizing "on site" training courses for TGWU Shop Stewards and Health & Safety Representatives, which will include both trade union tutors and company representatives from the Human Resources and Training departments. The jointly agreed objective of this initiative is to achieve a competent, well trained and efficient team of Shop Stewards and Health & Safety Representatives, who can take more responsibility for industrial relations and safety at their individual workplaces. This should lead to improved industrial relations across all ECCI workplaces in Devon and Cornwall. In November 1999, along with approximately 45 Shop Stewards and a similar number of site managers, I attended a company presentation which outlined the "state of the company" following the Imetal/ECCI take-over. For the first time ever, we were given the global picture of this huge multi-national company called Imerys. Part of the presentation involved a section from the Human Resources Director, Monsieur Patrick Dubere and this was of particular interest to the trade union representatives present, as the HR Director was encouraging improved working relationships with the trade unions within the Imerys empire. Following the PACE meeting in London, I will continue to inform members and representatives about the situation in Alabama and Georgia and gather support for our fellow Imerys workers "across the big pond". I will also inform and involve the other trade unions with members employed by Imerys and gain their support. 'The support our American colleagues to gain trade union recognition campaign' is gaining strength throughout all sites in England. Local Branch meetings are being shown the PACE video and are being requested to send messages of support to their fellow Imerys workers in America. Branches are also being requested to send letters of protest to the Imerys Chairman, Monsieur Patrick Kron, at the company headquarters in Paris. We will campaign vigorously for Imerys to immediately bring to an end its union-busting campaign in Alabama and Georgia and for them to give the same respect to American trade unions, as that given to the European trade unions. To those active and courageous union members and supporters in Alabama and Georgia - keep up the good work, continue to encourage your work colleagues to stand up to this outrageous attack on civil rights. Together we can win this battle and secure 'free' trade union recognition rights for all Imerys workers. Good luck with the campaign, Yours in solidarity Shem Hogan TGWU DISTRICT SECRETARY CORNWALL, ENGLAND |