Wed,February 22, 2012
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has called off a 24-hour strike today at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal, on the New South Wales south coast, after negotiations moved closer to a resolution.
About 100 workers have been striking over job security.
Pacific National Coal says as a result of the strike being called off, drivers in the Illawarra and Lithgow will no longer be stood down.
It announced yesterday it would have to stand down the workers from today due to a lack of work resulting from the strike, even though Pacific National employees were not striking.
The CFMEU says it is buoyed by progress made during talks yesterday.
The union's district vice-president, Bob Timbs, says it was not the union's intention to cause issues for workers indirectly affected by protected industrial action.
(sourced ABC.net.au)
Showing posts with label strike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strike. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
BHPB BMA miners strike could hit coking coal production in Australia
Fri, 17 Feb 2012
ABS reported that more than 3000 BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance workers began a 7 day strike in Queensland, in the biggest industrial action in Australia in more than a decade, potentially cutting output by approximately 1 million tonnes.
Workers are threatening week long stoppage at seven Bowen Basin mines, which produce one fifth of the world's coking coal.
There are warnings from analysts, that the stoppages will cause big problems for Asian customers.
BHP says the action won't affect pay negotiations, or decisions on issues the company says are vital to competitiveness.
Analyst Mr Tim Morris says the action could affect coal prices. He said “It's a reflection of workers wanting a larger slice of what's been a growing profit pie in the coal industry. You've already got significant flooding affecting coal output and Australia's one of the world's largest suppliers of coal to Asia. So it could have an impact on short-term pricing and if the tension continues, you could see some medium-term issues as well.”
Workers at BHP’s Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow, Peak Downs, Saraji, Norwich Park, Gregory Crinum, and Blackwater mines will be involved in the strikes.
(Sourced from abc.net.au)
ABS reported that more than 3000 BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance workers began a 7 day strike in Queensland, in the biggest industrial action in Australia in more than a decade, potentially cutting output by approximately 1 million tonnes.
Workers are threatening week long stoppage at seven Bowen Basin mines, which produce one fifth of the world's coking coal.
There are warnings from analysts, that the stoppages will cause big problems for Asian customers.
BHP says the action won't affect pay negotiations, or decisions on issues the company says are vital to competitiveness.
Analyst Mr Tim Morris says the action could affect coal prices. He said “It's a reflection of workers wanting a larger slice of what's been a growing profit pie in the coal industry. You've already got significant flooding affecting coal output and Australia's one of the world's largest suppliers of coal to Asia. So it could have an impact on short-term pricing and if the tension continues, you could see some medium-term issues as well.”
Workers at BHP’s Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow, Peak Downs, Saraji, Norwich Park, Gregory Crinum, and Blackwater mines will be involved in the strikes.
(Sourced from abc.net.au)
Friday, February 10, 2012
BHP's Australia coal mines face week-long strike
Friday, 10 February 2012
Several of BHP Billiton Ltd.'s Australian coking coal mines will be hit by a seven-day strike from next Wednesday as a dispute over a new workplace agreement drags on, a labor union said Thursday.Workers will down tools at the Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow, Peak Downs, Saraji, Norwich Park, Gregory Crinum and Blackwater mines that BHP co-owns with Mitsubishi Corp. , the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said in an emailed statement.
Roughly 3,500 members of the CFMEU and two other unions jointly bargaining with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance staged rolling strikes over several months late last year. They suspended the action in December to continue negotiations.
Stephen Smyth, district president at the CFMEU, said the new round of work stoppages was necessary because BHP had failed to address workers' concerns despite 15 months of talks.
"The workers here feel they have been left with no choice but to ramp up industrial action," Smyth said. "BHP is making enormous profits out of its coking coal operations in central Queensland, but it doesn't want to listen to its workforce."
Marius Kloppers, chief executive of Melbourne-based BHP, Wednesday told analysts during a conference call--following the release of the company's half-year results--that the dispute wasn't about money, but centered on union demands that would impede the company's ability to manage the operations.
"It is extraordinarily important to have that right to manage if you are committing billions, perhaps tens of billions of dollars in expansion," Kloppers said. "So we would have liked this to end six months ago, but we must unfortunately insist that management's right to manage is sacrosanct."
Source: Market Watch
Several of BHP Billiton Ltd.'s Australian coking coal mines will be hit by a seven-day strike from next Wednesday as a dispute over a new workplace agreement drags on, a labor union said Thursday.Workers will down tools at the Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow, Peak Downs, Saraji, Norwich Park, Gregory Crinum and Blackwater mines that BHP co-owns with Mitsubishi Corp. , the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said in an emailed statement.
Roughly 3,500 members of the CFMEU and two other unions jointly bargaining with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance staged rolling strikes over several months late last year. They suspended the action in December to continue negotiations.
Stephen Smyth, district president at the CFMEU, said the new round of work stoppages was necessary because BHP had failed to address workers' concerns despite 15 months of talks.
"The workers here feel they have been left with no choice but to ramp up industrial action," Smyth said. "BHP is making enormous profits out of its coking coal operations in central Queensland, but it doesn't want to listen to its workforce."
Marius Kloppers, chief executive of Melbourne-based BHP, Wednesday told analysts during a conference call--following the release of the company's half-year results--that the dispute wasn't about money, but centered on union demands that would impede the company's ability to manage the operations.
"It is extraordinarily important to have that right to manage if you are committing billions, perhaps tens of billions of dollars in expansion," Kloppers said. "So we would have liked this to end six months ago, but we must unfortunately insist that management's right to manage is sacrosanct."
Source: Market Watch
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Union says BHP Australian coal workers to strike
Thu Feb 9, 2012
SYDNEY Feb 9 (Reuters) - BHP Billiton's Bowen Basin coal workers will strike for seven days next week in the latest chapter of a months-long battle with the world's biggest miner, the miners' union said on Thursday.
"Workers at the Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow, Peak Downs, Saraji, Norwich Park, Gregory Crinum, and Blackwater mines will be involved in the strike from midday next Wednesday," the union said.
The action could support spot metallurgical coal prices, which have tumbled to around $215 per tonne this week, down from the 2011 high of $350 per tonne when prices were driven up by flooding that nearly halted coal production in Queensland state.
About 3,500 unionised workers at the BHP Billiton-Mistubishi Alliance (BMA) mines have been staging rolling work stoppages since they first approved strike action in June 2011. The total workforce at the mines is around 10,000.
Union members have been striking for greater job security and more pay as rising commodity prices boost mining sector profits, but they have so far been unable to reach an agreement with BMA.
BHP Billiton reported a rare fall in earnings on Wednesday, in part due to labour battles and weaker commodity prices, but still brought in $9.94 billion in half-year profits.
"We are extremely disappointed as we have consistently demonstrated our commitment to negotiating constructively with the unions...strike action will not change our position, as has been the case for the past eight months," BHP said in a statement on Thursday.
BHP's chief executive told reporters on Wednesday that the company desired nothing more than to "reach an agreement with the minimum amount of fuss".
BMA-operated mines have a combined output capacity of more than 58 million tonnes per year of mostly metallurgical coal, representing about a fifth of annual global trade.
Analysts have estimated that a full week of 12-hour stoppages at the mines would cut production by up to 1 million tonnes.
The BMA strike action follows a week-long strike at the BHP Billiton-operated Port Kembla coal terminal which exports around 10 million tonnes of coal and coke per year and processed about 5 percent of seaborne metallurgical coal, used for steelmaking, last year.
(sourced Reuters)
SYDNEY Feb 9 (Reuters) - BHP Billiton's Bowen Basin coal workers will strike for seven days next week in the latest chapter of a months-long battle with the world's biggest miner, the miners' union said on Thursday.
"Workers at the Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow, Peak Downs, Saraji, Norwich Park, Gregory Crinum, and Blackwater mines will be involved in the strike from midday next Wednesday," the union said.
The action could support spot metallurgical coal prices, which have tumbled to around $215 per tonne this week, down from the 2011 high of $350 per tonne when prices were driven up by flooding that nearly halted coal production in Queensland state.
About 3,500 unionised workers at the BHP Billiton-Mistubishi Alliance (BMA) mines have been staging rolling work stoppages since they first approved strike action in June 2011. The total workforce at the mines is around 10,000.
Union members have been striking for greater job security and more pay as rising commodity prices boost mining sector profits, but they have so far been unable to reach an agreement with BMA.
BHP Billiton reported a rare fall in earnings on Wednesday, in part due to labour battles and weaker commodity prices, but still brought in $9.94 billion in half-year profits.
"We are extremely disappointed as we have consistently demonstrated our commitment to negotiating constructively with the unions...strike action will not change our position, as has been the case for the past eight months," BHP said in a statement on Thursday.
BHP's chief executive told reporters on Wednesday that the company desired nothing more than to "reach an agreement with the minimum amount of fuss".
BMA-operated mines have a combined output capacity of more than 58 million tonnes per year of mostly metallurgical coal, representing about a fifth of annual global trade.
Analysts have estimated that a full week of 12-hour stoppages at the mines would cut production by up to 1 million tonnes.
The BMA strike action follows a week-long strike at the BHP Billiton-operated Port Kembla coal terminal which exports around 10 million tonnes of coal and coke per year and processed about 5 percent of seaborne metallurgical coal, used for steelmaking, last year.
(sourced Reuters)
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
BHP Billiton Coal Workers in Australia Vote to Resume Strikes
Tue,Feb7, 2012
BHP Billiton Ltd.’s coking coal miners in Australia, the world’s largest exporter, voted to resume striking after rejecting the company’s latest offer on employment and accommodation.Workers voted to reject the offer on Feb. 3 and may strike for as many as seven straight days at seven of BHP’s coal operations in Queensland state, Steve Pierce, district vice president of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, said today by phone. The unions have not yet set a date for the stoppages to commence, he said.
About 3,500 workers at BHP’s mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin have held rolling strikes since June over pay and conditions, before suspending industrial action in December to resume contract talks.
Labor unions globally are stepping up demands for higher wages and improved conditions as record commodity prices swell profits at mining companies. “The company cannot, and will not, diminish its rights and obligations to manage the business, nor will we accept productivity-destroying arrangements as currently proposed by the unions,” Kelly Quirke, a Melbourne-based spokeswoman for BHP said by phone. “Strike action will not change our position, as has been the case for the past eight months.”
(sourced Bloomberg)
BHP Billiton Ltd.’s coking coal miners in Australia, the world’s largest exporter, voted to resume striking after rejecting the company’s latest offer on employment and accommodation.Workers voted to reject the offer on Feb. 3 and may strike for as many as seven straight days at seven of BHP’s coal operations in Queensland state, Steve Pierce, district vice president of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, said today by phone. The unions have not yet set a date for the stoppages to commence, he said.
About 3,500 workers at BHP’s mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin have held rolling strikes since June over pay and conditions, before suspending industrial action in December to resume contract talks.
Labor unions globally are stepping up demands for higher wages and improved conditions as record commodity prices swell profits at mining companies. “The company cannot, and will not, diminish its rights and obligations to manage the business, nor will we accept productivity-destroying arrangements as currently proposed by the unions,” Kelly Quirke, a Melbourne-based spokeswoman for BHP said by phone. “Strike action will not change our position, as has been the case for the past eight months.”
(sourced Bloomberg)
Monday, February 6, 2012
CFMEU miners vow to strike in coking coal Bowen Basin
Monday, 06 Feb 2012
ABC reported that the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said that it will push ahead with industrial action in Queensland's Bowen Basin that could disrupt the world's supply of coking coal.
Late last week, mass meetings of coal miners endorsed a week long shutdown of BMAs seven Queensland mines.
It is the culmination of a 15 month enterprise bargaining dispute between BMA and the CFMEU.
CFMEU spokesman Steve Smyth said that negotiations have broken down over the key issues of housing, safety representatives and equal pay for equal work.
He says union officials will meet this week.
He said “We go away and look at what has the least amount of impact on our members and the most impact on the company.”
He says strike action will take place in the next couple of weeks but workers are prepared for any company retaliation.
In a statement, BMA asset president mr Steve Dumble said that industrial action will harm employees and delay an outcome and the unions should return to the negotiating table.
(sourced from abc.net.au)
ABC reported that the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said that it will push ahead with industrial action in Queensland's Bowen Basin that could disrupt the world's supply of coking coal.
Late last week, mass meetings of coal miners endorsed a week long shutdown of BMAs seven Queensland mines.
It is the culmination of a 15 month enterprise bargaining dispute between BMA and the CFMEU.
CFMEU spokesman Steve Smyth said that negotiations have broken down over the key issues of housing, safety representatives and equal pay for equal work.
He says union officials will meet this week.
He said “We go away and look at what has the least amount of impact on our members and the most impact on the company.”
He says strike action will take place in the next couple of weeks but workers are prepared for any company retaliation.
In a statement, BMA asset president mr Steve Dumble said that industrial action will harm employees and delay an outcome and the unions should return to the negotiating table.
(sourced from abc.net.au)
CIL workers to strike on February 13 on wage pact
Monday, 06 Feb 2012
TNN reported that the Rashtriya Colliery Mazdoor Sangh, one of the biggest unions of the Coal India Ltd, has called a daylong strike on February 13 to protest the poor hike in wages of workers.
Over 108,000 workers of the CIL and its nine subsidiary companies are member of the RCMS.
RCMS president and former MLA Mr Israil Ansari alleged that the company and the Union coal ministry had cheated the workers by not keeping their promises.
He said “We feel cheated and have decided to go on a day's token strike on February 13. If the management does not amend the agreement, which is against the interest of the workers, we will call a three day strike in the second phase.”
The date for the three-day strike in yet to be decided
He threatened that if the CIL management and the ministry failed to make amendments at the earliest, the workers might even go for an indefinite strike.
There are around 360,000 workers in the CIL and its subsidiary companies.
(sourced timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
TNN reported that the Rashtriya Colliery Mazdoor Sangh, one of the biggest unions of the Coal India Ltd, has called a daylong strike on February 13 to protest the poor hike in wages of workers.
Over 108,000 workers of the CIL and its nine subsidiary companies are member of the RCMS.
RCMS president and former MLA Mr Israil Ansari alleged that the company and the Union coal ministry had cheated the workers by not keeping their promises.
He said “We feel cheated and have decided to go on a day's token strike on February 13. If the management does not amend the agreement, which is against the interest of the workers, we will call a three day strike in the second phase.”
The date for the three-day strike in yet to be decided
He threatened that if the CIL management and the ministry failed to make amendments at the earliest, the workers might even go for an indefinite strike.
There are around 360,000 workers in the CIL and its subsidiary companies.
(sourced timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Bulgarian coal miners end strike
Wednesday, 25 Jan 2012
Bulgarian miners are resuming work at the country's biggest coal mines, ending a weeklong strike that led to a halt in electricity exports to neighboring countries.
Union leader Konstantin Trenchev said on Sunday that a compromise deal has been struck with management that includes cash bonuses for the miners and an improvement in working conditions.
The three open pit mines of the state-owned company supply coal to four thermal power plants, whose output covers a quarter of the country's electricity needs.
Bulgaria also helps supply Greece, Turkey, Serbia and Macedonia but had to suspend exports due to the strike. The Balkan country exports more than 10 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
It was not immediately clear when power exports will be restarted.
(Sourced from Associated Press)
Bulgarian miners are resuming work at the country's biggest coal mines, ending a weeklong strike that led to a halt in electricity exports to neighboring countries.
Union leader Konstantin Trenchev said on Sunday that a compromise deal has been struck with management that includes cash bonuses for the miners and an improvement in working conditions.
The three open pit mines of the state-owned company supply coal to four thermal power plants, whose output covers a quarter of the country's electricity needs.
Bulgaria also helps supply Greece, Turkey, Serbia and Macedonia but had to suspend exports due to the strike. The Balkan country exports more than 10 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
It was not immediately clear when power exports will be restarted.
(Sourced from Associated Press)
Friday, January 13, 2012
Exxaro says reached agreement with mineworkers
Fri Jan 13, 2012
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's Exxaro Resources said a planned strike by workers at its Arnot coal mine has been called off after it reached agreement with the union late on Thursday, the company said in a statement.
More than 1,000 mineworkers had planned to down tools from Friday, protesting employment conditions.
Exxaro is South Africa's second-largest coal producer and a major supplier to power utility Eskom.
(sourced Reuters)
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's Exxaro Resources said a planned strike by workers at its Arnot coal mine has been called off after it reached agreement with the union late on Thursday, the company said in a statement.
More than 1,000 mineworkers had planned to down tools from Friday, protesting employment conditions.
Exxaro is South Africa's second-largest coal producer and a major supplier to power utility Eskom.
(sourced Reuters)
Monday, November 21, 2011
Indonesia railway workers to strike Dec 6 - union
Mon Nov 21, 2011
JAKARTA Nov 21 (Reuters) - Workers at Indonesia's state-owned railway operator Kereta Api plan a strike on Dec 6 to demand the government gives the firm subsidised fuel, disrupting train services across Southeast Asia's biggest economy, a union leader said on Monday.
The workers worry that company losses at the firm could lead to a future cut in benefits or job losses, said Sri Nugroho, the head of the workers union.
The strike is the latest in a series of recent industrial disputes in Indonesia, which uses trains to transport coal, fuel and goods as well as passengers.
(sourced Retuers)
JAKARTA Nov 21 (Reuters) - Workers at Indonesia's state-owned railway operator Kereta Api plan a strike on Dec 6 to demand the government gives the firm subsidised fuel, disrupting train services across Southeast Asia's biggest economy, a union leader said on Monday.
The workers worry that company losses at the firm could lead to a future cut in benefits or job losses, said Sri Nugroho, the head of the workers union.
The strike is the latest in a series of recent industrial disputes in Indonesia, which uses trains to transport coal, fuel and goods as well as passengers.
(sourced Retuers)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Xstrata and S Africa union talks fail to end strike
Tuesday, 25 Oct 2011
Reuters reported that global miner Xstrata had met with South Africa National Union of Mineworkers in a bid to end a strike at its coal and alloys operations, but the talks were unsuccessful.
Thousands of workers have been on strike for over a week in protest over an employee share ownership programme.
Mr Songezo Zibi spokesman said "Unfortunately no agreement was reached between the parties and NUM has decided to continue its strike action."
Xstrata last week withdrew its proposed share policy due to the strike and the company said on Monday that the industrial action was now considered illegal and unprotected.
(Sourced from Reuters)
Reuters reported that global miner Xstrata had met with South Africa National Union of Mineworkers in a bid to end a strike at its coal and alloys operations, but the talks were unsuccessful.
Thousands of workers have been on strike for over a week in protest over an employee share ownership programme.
Mr Songezo Zibi spokesman said "Unfortunately no agreement was reached between the parties and NUM has decided to continue its strike action."
Xstrata last week withdrew its proposed share policy due to the strike and the company said on Monday that the industrial action was now considered illegal and unprotected.
(Sourced from Reuters)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Violent anti-austerity protests grip Greek capital
Wed, Oct 19, 2011
By Lefteris Papadimas and Yannis Behrakis
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek police cleared the square in front of parliament on Wednesday after clashing with black-clad demonstrators during a mass anti-austerity rally called to coincide with a vote on a bitterly resented new round of belt-tightening.
The view of the ancient Acropolis was obscured by smoke from burning piles of rubbish and a bank building was evacuated after being set on fire by molotov cocktails as a strike called by Greece's two main unions degenerated into violence.
Much of the country was shut down by the 48-hour general strike, the largest since the outbreak of the crisis two years ago with government departments, offices and shops closed and at least 100,000 people taking to the streets of Athens.
Prime Minister George Papandreou, trailing badly in opinion polls, has appealed for support from Greeks before parliament votes on the latest measures which include tax hikes, wage cuts and public sector layoffs.
But the mood was furious among demonstrators, fed up after repeated doses of austerity and increasingly hostile to both their own political leaders and international lenders demanding ever tougher measures to cut Greece's towering public debt.
"Who are they trying to fool? They won't save us. With these measures the poor become poorer and the rich richer. Well I say: 'No, thank you. I don't want your rescue'," said 50-year public sector worker Akis Papadopoulos.
The boom of tear gas canisters fired by police rang out, and black clouds of smoke from petrol bombs hung over Syntagma Square, scene of violent clashes between police and demonstrators at anti-austerity protests in June.
The latest outbreak of violence overshadowed the start of a 48-hour strike which shut down government departments, shops and public buildings across the country and which unions said was one of the biggest stoppages in years.
A huge crowd gathered in front of parliament earlier in the day but after hours of confrontation with a hardcore group of mainly younger demonstrators, police cleared the square. Groups of hooded youths continued to clash with police on side streets.
At least seven people were hospitalized, and there were several other injuries reported mainly from breathing problems, minor burns and cuts to the head. There were also serious clashes on major avenues away from the scene of the main rally.
More than 7,000 police had been assigned to Athens to deal with anticipated trouble with hundreds deployed in riot gear near parliament.
RECESSION
Wednesday's action came as European Union leaders were scrambling to settle a new rescue package in time for a summit on Sunday that hopes to agree measures to protect the region's financial system from a potential Greek debt default.
"We are in an agonizing but necessary struggle to avoid the final and harshest point of the crisis," Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos told parliament. "From now and until Sunday were are fighting the battle of all battles."
Trapped in the third year of deep recession and strangled by a public debt amounting to 162 percent of gross domestic product which few now believe can be paid back, Greece has sunk ever deeper into crisis.
Papandreou's narrow four-seat majority is expected to be enough to ensure the austerity bill goes through, especially given possible support from a smaller opposition group.
But his ruling Socialist party's discipline is increasingly strained with one deputy resigning his seat in protest and at least two others threatening to vote against part of the package dealing with collective wage bargaining agreements.
"It is obvious that society has reached the limits of what it can bear," said PASOK deputy Elpida Tsouri.
After repeated rounds of austerity measures, which have hit middle class Greeks hard, protesters said new cuts would only drive the stricken economy deeper into the ground. Unions urged deputies not to pass the law.
"If they have any humanity, decency, sense of pride and Greek soul left, they must reject the bill," Nikos Kioutsoukis, a top official in private sector union GSEE which is leading the strike with its public sector counterpart ADEDY.
"DEBT MONSTER"
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Dimitris Reppas, minister for Administrative Reform, reflected the increasing sense of isolation among many in the ruling party, complaining he felt as though he had been thrown to the lions.
"In government, we often feel like ... we are in the Colosseum, fighting the debt monster while everybody else is just sitting in the stands, watching and commenting," he said.
A first vote takes place late on Wednesday on the overall bill, which mixes deep cuts to public sector pay and pensions, tax hikes, a suspension of sectoral pay accords and an end to the constitutional taboo against laying off civil servants.
A second vote on specific articles is expected some time on Thursday and only after that the bill becomes law.
International lenders, who are providing the funds Athens needs to stay afloat after it was shut out of bond markets last year, have expressed impatience at the slow pace of reform as Greece has slipped behind on its budget targets.
There has been growing talk that Athens should be placed under tighter supervision by EU authorities to ensure it meets its reform obligations.
(sourced Reuters)
By Lefteris Papadimas and Yannis Behrakis
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek police cleared the square in front of parliament on Wednesday after clashing with black-clad demonstrators during a mass anti-austerity rally called to coincide with a vote on a bitterly resented new round of belt-tightening.
The view of the ancient Acropolis was obscured by smoke from burning piles of rubbish and a bank building was evacuated after being set on fire by molotov cocktails as a strike called by Greece's two main unions degenerated into violence.
Much of the country was shut down by the 48-hour general strike, the largest since the outbreak of the crisis two years ago with government departments, offices and shops closed and at least 100,000 people taking to the streets of Athens.
Prime Minister George Papandreou, trailing badly in opinion polls, has appealed for support from Greeks before parliament votes on the latest measures which include tax hikes, wage cuts and public sector layoffs.
But the mood was furious among demonstrators, fed up after repeated doses of austerity and increasingly hostile to both their own political leaders and international lenders demanding ever tougher measures to cut Greece's towering public debt.
"Who are they trying to fool? They won't save us. With these measures the poor become poorer and the rich richer. Well I say: 'No, thank you. I don't want your rescue'," said 50-year public sector worker Akis Papadopoulos.
The boom of tear gas canisters fired by police rang out, and black clouds of smoke from petrol bombs hung over Syntagma Square, scene of violent clashes between police and demonstrators at anti-austerity protests in June.
The latest outbreak of violence overshadowed the start of a 48-hour strike which shut down government departments, shops and public buildings across the country and which unions said was one of the biggest stoppages in years.
A huge crowd gathered in front of parliament earlier in the day but after hours of confrontation with a hardcore group of mainly younger demonstrators, police cleared the square. Groups of hooded youths continued to clash with police on side streets.
At least seven people were hospitalized, and there were several other injuries reported mainly from breathing problems, minor burns and cuts to the head. There were also serious clashes on major avenues away from the scene of the main rally.
More than 7,000 police had been assigned to Athens to deal with anticipated trouble with hundreds deployed in riot gear near parliament.
RECESSION
Wednesday's action came as European Union leaders were scrambling to settle a new rescue package in time for a summit on Sunday that hopes to agree measures to protect the region's financial system from a potential Greek debt default.
"We are in an agonizing but necessary struggle to avoid the final and harshest point of the crisis," Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos told parliament. "From now and until Sunday were are fighting the battle of all battles."
Trapped in the third year of deep recession and strangled by a public debt amounting to 162 percent of gross domestic product which few now believe can be paid back, Greece has sunk ever deeper into crisis.
Papandreou's narrow four-seat majority is expected to be enough to ensure the austerity bill goes through, especially given possible support from a smaller opposition group.
But his ruling Socialist party's discipline is increasingly strained with one deputy resigning his seat in protest and at least two others threatening to vote against part of the package dealing with collective wage bargaining agreements.
"It is obvious that society has reached the limits of what it can bear," said PASOK deputy Elpida Tsouri.
After repeated rounds of austerity measures, which have hit middle class Greeks hard, protesters said new cuts would only drive the stricken economy deeper into the ground. Unions urged deputies not to pass the law.
"If they have any humanity, decency, sense of pride and Greek soul left, they must reject the bill," Nikos Kioutsoukis, a top official in private sector union GSEE which is leading the strike with its public sector counterpart ADEDY.
"DEBT MONSTER"
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Dimitris Reppas, minister for Administrative Reform, reflected the increasing sense of isolation among many in the ruling party, complaining he felt as though he had been thrown to the lions.
"In government, we often feel like ... we are in the Colosseum, fighting the debt monster while everybody else is just sitting in the stands, watching and commenting," he said.
A first vote takes place late on Wednesday on the overall bill, which mixes deep cuts to public sector pay and pensions, tax hikes, a suspension of sectoral pay accords and an end to the constitutional taboo against laying off civil servants.
A second vote on specific articles is expected some time on Thursday and only after that the bill becomes law.
International lenders, who are providing the funds Athens needs to stay afloat after it was shut out of bond markets last year, have expressed impatience at the slow pace of reform as Greece has slipped behind on its budget targets.
There has been growing talk that Athens should be placed under tighter supervision by EU authorities to ensure it meets its reform obligations.
(sourced Reuters)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
CIL workers call off proposed strike after higher bonus
Tuesday, 18 Oct 2011
ET reported that employees unions of Coal India Ltd today withdrew their proposed 3 day strike after the management agreed to give higher bonus, along with INR 1,000 as Diwali gift.
CIL has reached an agreement with workers Unions to pay INR 20,000 bonus to each worker instead of earlier announced INR 17,000, besides INR 1,000 as Diwali gift.
The unions were demanding for a minimum bonus of INR 23,500 per employee.
The unions have decided not to proceed on 72 hour strike as announced earlier. The five workers' unions INTUC, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) and the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) had threatened to proceed on strike if their demands of bonus and pay revision are not met.
(sourced from ET)
ET reported that employees unions of Coal India Ltd today withdrew their proposed 3 day strike after the management agreed to give higher bonus, along with INR 1,000 as Diwali gift.
CIL has reached an agreement with workers Unions to pay INR 20,000 bonus to each worker instead of earlier announced INR 17,000, besides INR 1,000 as Diwali gift.
The unions were demanding for a minimum bonus of INR 23,500 per employee.
The unions have decided not to proceed on 72 hour strike as announced earlier. The five workers' unions INTUC, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) and the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) had threatened to proceed on strike if their demands of bonus and pay revision are not met.
(sourced from ET)
Telangana: Coal production resumes, schools reopen
Indo Asian News Service,Tuesday 18 October 2011
Hyderabad, Oct 18 (IANS) After over a month, coal production resumed in the state-run Singareni coal mines Tuesday while schools and colleges that were shut in support of a separate Telangana reopened in Andhra Pradesh.
Coal workers in 50 mines spread over four districts of Telangana returned to work after unions decided to 'temporarily' call off their strike around midnight Monday.
Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) convenor M. Kodandaram announced an end to the strike after talking to the management of the company on behalf of the unions.
The management agreed to treat the strike period as special leave, pay festival advance and promised to take back cases registered against the strikers.
The resumption of coal production in Singareni after 35 days has come as a huge relief to six states including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka which were reeling under electricity shortage.
Andhra Pradesh and other states had imposed electricity cuts on domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors as electricity generation at thermal power stations was badly affected by the strike.
Singareni officials said about 22,000 workers reported for duty against the workforce of 40,000 for the first shift.
As the information about withdrawal of strike has not reached many employees, officials expect normalcy to be restored only from Wednesday.
About 70,000 Singareni employees were on strike since Sep 13, paralyzing coal production.
With a section of workers in Khammam district later calling off the strike, production of 30,000 to 50,000 tonnes of coal was taking place. The normal daily coal production in the mines is 150,000 tonnes.
Singareni suffered a loss of Rs.600 crore due to the strike. It lost another Rs.120 crore towards payment of wages to the employees during the strike period.
Government and private educational institutions also reopened in Telangana after more than a month.
About 150,000 government teachers withdrew the strike after talks with Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy Monday night.
The government agreed to all their demands except formation of Telangana state saying the issue does not come under its purview.
The development followed JAC's decision to exempt educational institutions from the strike.
Private schools, colleges, technical and professional education institutes also reopened across Telangana, comprising 10 districts including Hyderabad.
The managements of these institutions said they would run classes on Saturdays and other holidays to make up for the loss of school days during the strike.
The government had threatened to derecognise educational institutions which failed to reopen from Tuesday.
The development came as a big relief to parents. JAC was also under pressure to exempt educational institutions in view of concerns that students may lose the academic year.
The employees of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corp (APSRTC) withdrew their 28-day strike Saturday.
With this, only government employees in Telangana are continuing the strike. The government is hopeful of an early breakthrough in the talks with the employees' unions.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Xstrata's S.Africa ops disrupted by strike
Mon Oct 17, 2011
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The South African operations of global miner Xstrata were disrupted on Monday after hundreds of workers joined a walk-out in protest over an employee share ownership programme, the company said.
Xstrata spokesman Songezo Zibi said the impact of the strike on its coal and alloys operations was yet to be determined.
"All Xstrata Coal South Africa's operations are affected and a number of Xstrata Alloys operations have also been impacted," he said in a statement.
Xstrata's South African operations produced 8.4 million tonnes of thermal coal and 581,000 tonnes of ferrochrome, used to make stainless steel, in the six months to the end of June.
The alloys operations also produce vanadium and platinum group metals.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said last week it wanted employees to be compensated equally under a proposed share ownership programme, regardless of rank, while the company's plan compensates employees based on their level.
Around 5,180 workers or 43 percent of Xstrata's total workforce in South Africa are members of the NUM.
The union said it expected all of the workers to participate in the strike, although it was still counting the numbers of those who have walked off the job. Spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said other unions, which represent additional workers at Xstrata, may join the strike.
"The strike is extensive and full-blown," Seshoka said.
He said the union expected the company to respond to its demands later on Monday, although no formal meetings had been scheduled.
Xstrata's Zibi said all discussions regarding the employee share ownership programme were suspended due to the strike.
The company employs just under 12,100 workers in South Africa, and three-quarters of them belong to unions.
Xstrata shares were down 0.64 percent in London at 1333 GMT, compared with a 0.13 percent fall in the FTSE 100 index.
Companies with operations in South Africa set up employee share programmes to increase worker ownership, particularly black ownership.
South Africa's black economic empowerment drive is aimed at rectifying the ownership and income disparities of white-minority apartheid rule.
(sourced Reuters)
BHPB coking coal mine workers to go on strike
Monday, 17 Oct 2011
Workers at BHP Billiton Ltd.’s coking coal mines in Australia plan to hold 24 hour stoppages at seven mines in Queensland state on October 19, Mr Stephen Smyth, a district president at the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, said in a statement on the group’s website.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Power situation may worsen as Coal India Ltd workers threaten strike
16 Oct, 2011, PTI
New Delhi: The government's efforts to improve the grim power situation due to coal shortage may come to a naught, with CIL workers threatening to go on a 72-hour strike demanding a hike in bonus and pay revision
"Over three lakh workers of CIL along with two lakh contract workers would proceed on a 72-hour strike immediately if the Coal Ministry fails to address their demands, including a hike in bonus and pay revision," All- India Coal Workers Federation General Secretary Jibon Roy told PTI.
State-run Coal India Ltd (CIL) is the world's biggest coal producer and accounts for over 80 per cent of the domestic production.
"The Coal Ministry has called a meeting with workers' unions of Coal India (CIL) on October 17 which will be chaired by Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal," CIL Chairman and Managing Director N C Jha said.
The ministry will convince workers not to resort to strike which could further aggravate the shortage of coal supplies, as power companies are already battling with less supply, an official said.
The five workers' unions-- the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) and the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)-- have threatened to proceed on if their demands are not met.
Coal India has offered an annual bonus of Rs 17,000 per worker, while the unions are demanding for a minimum bonus of Rs 23,500 per employee.
The workers of the company had earlier gone on a one-day strike on October 10, which resulted in production loss of around one million tonnes for CIL, causing it a revenue loss of about Rs 140 crore.
The state-run miner has also missed its half yearly production target by around 20 million tonnes at a time when shortage of coal is causing problems in power generation in many parts of the country.
The threat to proceed on strike comes at a time when the power situation in the country is grim as many plants of the country's largest power generator NTPC are running below capacity levels due to paucity of coal-- the key raw material for generating electricity.
Various states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal, have seen power cuts for long hours in the past few days.
A slew of factors, including less production from CIL collieries due to heavy rains, floods in Orissa and Telangana agitation, have hit coal supplies to power units.
At present, over 40 thermal power stations have coal stocks that is barely sufficient to meet the demand for about a week. As many as 29 projects have less than four days of coal reserves
The government has already asked coal companies, including CIL, to step up supply to power stations facing shortage of the dry fuel to ensure that the power generation is not interrupted.
(sourced ET)
New Delhi: The government's efforts to improve the grim power situation due to coal shortage may come to a naught, with CIL workers threatening to go on a 72-hour strike demanding a hike in bonus and pay revision
"Over three lakh workers of CIL along with two lakh contract workers would proceed on a 72-hour strike immediately if the Coal Ministry fails to address their demands, including a hike in bonus and pay revision," All- India Coal Workers Federation General Secretary Jibon Roy told PTI.
State-run Coal India Ltd (CIL) is the world's biggest coal producer and accounts for over 80 per cent of the domestic production.
"The Coal Ministry has called a meeting with workers' unions of Coal India (CIL) on October 17 which will be chaired by Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal," CIL Chairman and Managing Director N C Jha said.
The ministry will convince workers not to resort to strike which could further aggravate the shortage of coal supplies, as power companies are already battling with less supply, an official said.
The five workers' unions-- the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) and the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)-- have threatened to proceed on if their demands are not met.
Coal India has offered an annual bonus of Rs 17,000 per worker, while the unions are demanding for a minimum bonus of Rs 23,500 per employee.
The workers of the company had earlier gone on a one-day strike on October 10, which resulted in production loss of around one million tonnes for CIL, causing it a revenue loss of about Rs 140 crore.
The state-run miner has also missed its half yearly production target by around 20 million tonnes at a time when shortage of coal is causing problems in power generation in many parts of the country.
The threat to proceed on strike comes at a time when the power situation in the country is grim as many plants of the country's largest power generator NTPC are running below capacity levels due to paucity of coal-- the key raw material for generating electricity.
Various states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal, have seen power cuts for long hours in the past few days.
A slew of factors, including less production from CIL collieries due to heavy rains, floods in Orissa and Telangana agitation, have hit coal supplies to power units.
At present, over 40 thermal power stations have coal stocks that is barely sufficient to meet the demand for about a week. As many as 29 projects have less than four days of coal reserves
The government has already asked coal companies, including CIL, to step up supply to power stations facing shortage of the dry fuel to ensure that the power generation is not interrupted.
(sourced ET)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Coal India workers on 1-day strike for higher bonus
Mon Oct 10, 2011
Mumbai (Reuters) - More than 300,000 workers at state-run Coal India, the world's largest coal miner, have gone on a one-day strike demanding higher annual bonus, senior company and union officials said on Monday.
The strike hit operations of the company that produces about one million tonnes of coal a day, one official told Reuters. Exact details of loss of output were not immediately available, the official, who did not want to be identified, said.
Five recognised unions, which represent most of Coal India's 330,000 workers, had earlier given notice for the one-day strike, asking for a minimum bonus of 25,000 rupees ($508).
Coal India has offered an annual bonus of 17,000 rupees per worker.
"It was a trailer. We may go for more stronger protest in the future," Hemanta Kumar Pradhan, secretary at the Indian National Mine Workers Federation, one of the unions, told Reuters from Orissa.
The miner is separately in wage negotiations with the unions, and is likely to make a provision for 25 billion rupees this fiscal year for a likely wage increase, a senior finance official had said earlier.
Kolkata-based Coal India, which accounts for 80 percent of coal production in energy-hungry India, reported a 64 percent rise in its June quarter net profit, but has said it may miss production target this year due to delays in environmental clearances at some of its mines.
At 1:55 p.m. (0825 GMT), Coal India shares, valued at $43.4 billion, were trading 0.4 percent higher at 338.95 rupees, in a Mumbai market up 1.5 percent. (sourced Reuters)
Mumbai (Reuters) - More than 300,000 workers at state-run Coal India, the world's largest coal miner, have gone on a one-day strike demanding higher annual bonus, senior company and union officials said on Monday.
The strike hit operations of the company that produces about one million tonnes of coal a day, one official told Reuters. Exact details of loss of output were not immediately available, the official, who did not want to be identified, said.
Five recognised unions, which represent most of Coal India's 330,000 workers, had earlier given notice for the one-day strike, asking for a minimum bonus of 25,000 rupees ($508).
Coal India has offered an annual bonus of 17,000 rupees per worker.
"It was a trailer. We may go for more stronger protest in the future," Hemanta Kumar Pradhan, secretary at the Indian National Mine Workers Federation, one of the unions, told Reuters from Orissa.
The miner is separately in wage negotiations with the unions, and is likely to make a provision for 25 billion rupees this fiscal year for a likely wage increase, a senior finance official had said earlier.
Kolkata-based Coal India, which accounts for 80 percent of coal production in energy-hungry India, reported a 64 percent rise in its June quarter net profit, but has said it may miss production target this year due to delays in environmental clearances at some of its mines.
At 1:55 p.m. (0825 GMT), Coal India shares, valued at $43.4 billion, were trading 0.4 percent higher at 338.95 rupees, in a Mumbai market up 1.5 percent. (sourced Reuters)
Zambia miners end strikes after big pay rise
Mon Oct 10, 2011
* Union says workers' pay doubled
* Government intervenes to end strike
LUSAKA Oct 10 (Reuters) - Zambians striking over poor pay at Chinese mines went back to work on Monday after winning a nearly 100 percent pay rise, just over two weeks after a new president took office on the promise of improving mining conditions.
"All the workers today went back to work. The lowest paid worker will now get a basic pay of 2 million kwacha per month, which is almost double what they used to get," Mine Workers Union of Zambia acting president Charles Mukuka said.
About 2,000 workers at NFC Africa Mining, majority-owned by China Nonferrous Metals Mining Corporation, went on a strike last week demanding higher wages.
Another 500 workers at the Chinese-owned Sino Metals copper processing plant also went on strike demanding higher pay, prompting the government to intervene.
"The managements agreed on the new pay after a meeting which was also attended by officials from the ministry of labour," Mukuka said.
Long-time opposition leader Michael Sata won election in the southern African country on Sept. 20 on a populist platform that included criticism of foreign investors and promises to improve the lives of workers.
In his first official meeting as president, Sata saw Chinese ambassador Zhou Yuxiao in an effort to dispel fears his sometimes fierce anti-Chinese rhetoric while in opposition would translate into a shift in investment policy.
He also made clear that Chinese companies, which have ploughed more than $2 billion into developing the mining sector, would not get preferential treatment. (sourced Reuters)
* Union says workers' pay doubled
* Government intervenes to end strike
LUSAKA Oct 10 (Reuters) - Zambians striking over poor pay at Chinese mines went back to work on Monday after winning a nearly 100 percent pay rise, just over two weeks after a new president took office on the promise of improving mining conditions.
"All the workers today went back to work. The lowest paid worker will now get a basic pay of 2 million kwacha per month, which is almost double what they used to get," Mine Workers Union of Zambia acting president Charles Mukuka said.
About 2,000 workers at NFC Africa Mining, majority-owned by China Nonferrous Metals Mining Corporation, went on a strike last week demanding higher wages.
Another 500 workers at the Chinese-owned Sino Metals copper processing plant also went on strike demanding higher pay, prompting the government to intervene.
"The managements agreed on the new pay after a meeting which was also attended by officials from the ministry of labour," Mukuka said.
Long-time opposition leader Michael Sata won election in the southern African country on Sept. 20 on a populist platform that included criticism of foreign investors and promises to improve the lives of workers.
In his first official meeting as president, Sata saw Chinese ambassador Zhou Yuxiao in an effort to dispel fears his sometimes fierce anti-Chinese rhetoric while in opposition would translate into a shift in investment policy.
He also made clear that Chinese companies, which have ploughed more than $2 billion into developing the mining sector, would not get preferential treatment. (sourced Reuters)
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
S.Africa's miners may strike against Xstrata
Sep7, 2011
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Tuesday it had referred its dispute with coal producer Xstrata over an employee share ownership programme to arbitration and may strike if the talks fail.
"The NUM and Solidarity (trade union) have agreed to take the matter to (arbitration), paving the way for a possible massive strike action against the company," Eddie Majadibodu, NUM 's Chief Negotiator at Xstrata, said in a statement.
The unions are opposing the company's stand that employees should benefit from the share ownership programme according to their grades.
(sourced Thomson Reuters)
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Tuesday it had referred its dispute with coal producer Xstrata over an employee share ownership programme to arbitration and may strike if the talks fail.
"The NUM and Solidarity (trade union) have agreed to take the matter to (arbitration), paving the way for a possible massive strike action against the company," Eddie Majadibodu, NUM 's Chief Negotiator at Xstrata, said in a statement.
The unions are opposing the company's stand that employees should benefit from the share ownership programme according to their grades.
(sourced Thomson Reuters)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
