Copyright (c) 1998, Joongpil Cho
webshells.com/labor/imerys
| Author | Joe Drexler |
| Date | 00/03/22/08:54 |
| Hit Count | 550 |
| PACE International Union Press Advisory
Leader of World Trade Union Federation to Address Workers in Sylacauga, Alabama on Saturday, March 25 NASHVILLE, Tenn., Mar. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Fred Higgs, General Secretary of the 20 million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM), based in Brussels, will address union supporters employed by Imerys at a labor solidarity rally on Saturday, March 25, 2000, at 1:00 p.m. in Sylacauga, Alabama, where over 250 workers are expected to turn out. Higgs will appear at a rally being sponsored by the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers (PACE) which is directly affiliated with ICEM. The rally will highlight international support for efforts to organize the 400-person Imerys plant in Sylacauga and to call attention to the union busting being practiced by the company. Imerys withdrew recognition of PACE after the company combined two calcium carbonate plants following the merger of English China Clays and Imetal. Efforts to organize all the workers at the combined plant have been met by stiff resistance and unlawful activity. In February, the National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint against an Imerys officer and top managers that accused them of maintaining records on employees’ union sentiments, making threats, and interrogating pro-union employees. PACE is demanding that the French-headquartered company treat American workers as it treats workers in Europe, where union busting is outlawed or not practiced. In addition to ICEM support, French, Belgian, and British labor unions are assisting the effort in Sylacauga. Imerys’ North American operations are headquartered in Atlanta. “Globalization of the economy demands that unions work together across national boundaries to achieve common aims,” said Higgs. “If European companies are permitted to destroy unions in the United States, they will bring this practice to Europe,” he added. Members of the press are encouraged to attend the 1:00 pm rally at the First Baptist Church in Sylacauga. Also speaking at the rally is D.S. Burkhalter of the Alabama AFL-CIO; Don Langham, PACE International Vice President; and Ken Zinn, ICEM North American Coordinator. Individual interviews and photo opportunities will be arranged. If coming from Birmingham, take Hwy 280 to the Fort Williams Shopping Center, take a left on West Fort Williams St., go to the Post Office; First Baptist Church is across the street. If coming from Montgomery, take Hwy 21 to downtown Sylacauga. PACE, based in Nashville, Tenn., represents 320,000 workers in the paper, chemical, energy and automotive supply industries. Additional information may be obtained at www.imerys-workers.org - 30 – |