"The website http://www.imerys-workers.org allows Imerys workers and their unions throughout the world to communicate, share information, and learn about the "union- busting" practices of Imerys in the U.S.," said PACE International President Boyd Young.

Imerys has been conducting a hostile campaign against union members and supporters at its plants in Georgia and Alabama. In Sylacauga, Ala., Imerys management hired a professional "union-buster," held mandatory anti-union meetings, and showed a film implying that U.S. unions were controlled by organized crime and caused plants to be closed. Imerys also is using a "secret" manual, uncovered by PACE, which instructs supervisors how to conduct the anti-union campaign.

PACE has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Imerys management harassed, threatened and spied on union supporters. Excerpts from the "secret" manual, a summary of legal charges and an interactive message board are contained on the Web site.

ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs stated, "Imerys so far has refused to stop its anti-union practices, and we will assist U.S. workers who are battling for union representation in whatever way we can."

ICEM hosted a press conference on January 20 in Brussels, together with Belgian General Labor Federation and the Centrale Generale, calling upon the Frere family, the richest in Belgium, to intervene. The Frere family controls 23 percent of Imerys shares through one of its many holding companies. The ICEM set up meetings with French and British union affiliates, which also represent workers at Imerys plants and have pledged support for the campaign.

"Globalization is bringing about uniformity of management practices, and European trade unions should be fully prepared to stop `union busting' before it lands on European shores," said PACE Director of Special Projects Joe Drexler. "Our Web site on Imerys will be a great teacher, and a great builder of global solidarity," he added.