Copenhagen Climate Meeting Failed to Meet Goals, Say Unions

The International Confederation of Trade Unions (ITUC) expressed its disappointment that the Copenhagen climate conference had concluded without an acceptable deal. “We need a binding agreement that delivers a habitable planet, decent work, binding emissions reductions and financial support for the most vulnerable…We call on world leaders to meet again within months to meet the expectation of the world’s people and conclude with a treaty,” the ITUC said.

One of the sole positive features of the Copenhagen negotiations concerned the support from many governments to including reference to decent work and a “just transition” for the workforce within the framework of the U.N.’s efforts for climate change.

Addressing the plenary session, Sharon Burrow, president of the Australian Confederation of Trade Unions (ACTU) and an official observer, said: ”We would like to express our satisfaction that this process has recognized the importance of calling for a ‘just transition’ as a driver for decent work and good quality job creation.” But, she added, unless further negotiations are based on the continued commitment, a just transition could be at risk.

Unions Refuse to Endorse Senate’s Health Care Bill

The AFL-CIO and the Change to Win unions have withheld their endorsement of the Senate health care bill, now that the Senate has dropped the public option proposal. Instead, they are determined to renew their campaign for the public option, a government-run insurance program, and for other provisions once the Senate approves the final bill and melds with the House bill, which does provide for a public option.

The AFL-CIO called the Senate bill “inadequate” and “too kind to the insurance industry.” Richard Trumka, its president, said in a statement that the federation would work to bring down the cost of health care and to hold insurance companies accountable. The House bill, he said, “is the model for genuine health care reform.”

There are major improvements in the bill that are not controversial. They include extending insurance coverage to 30 million people and new subsidies to help low-income people buy health insurance. Also, companies would be prevented from denying coverage to people with pre-existing health problems, from charging women more than men, and from putting annual and lifetime limits on coverage.

AFL-CIO Supports New Comprehensive Immigration Bill

The AFL-CIO is backing comprehensive immigration legislation that would open a path to legal status for millions of illegal immigrants. The bill, introduced by Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat, is expected to continue a contentious struggle between Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

Under the bill, to gain legal status and possibly citizenship, undocumented immigrants already in the United States would have to demonstrate they had been working, pay a $500 fine, learn English and undergo a criminal background check, among other provisions. Unlike previous proposals in Congress, they would not have to return to their homeland first. The measure also calls for additional training and equipment for border guards, though not the hiring of new ones. It would require the Homeland Security Department to improve immigration jails and eliminate a program that deputizes local and state officers as immigration agents.

President Obama has pledged to take up the immigration issue early next year. Efforts to overhaul the laws during George W. Bush’s presidency failed, despite his backing, along with some Republicans. While the measure will have strong support from a coalition of Democratic lawmakers,, immigrant advocates and labor and religious groups, its opponents charge that the new bill offers virtual amnesty to immigrants who have broken U.S. laws.

Egyptian Engineers Union Seeks to End 14-Year Dispute

Dozens of engineers gathered in front of Cairo Southern Court in Bab Al-Khalq on Dec 14 calling for a lifting of the 14-year-long judicial sequestration [trusteeship] imposed upon their union. A sit-in this week was due to be followed by several protests. “Sit-ins will not stop until we free our syndicate,” said Tare El-Nabarawi from an anti-sequestration group of engineers.

“For 14 years, half a million engineers have been deprived of practicing their democratic right to elect a legitimate council to represent them,” said El-Nabawari, emphasizing that successive sit-ins “will be the beginning of a new stage in their struggle.” The engineers union was placed under sequestration after being charged with committing flagrant violations by the Islamist-controlled elected council. Although sequestration was meant as a temporary measure, until a new council was elected, it has lasted 14 years, because elections were not allowed.

Hundreds of engineers are complaining that since 1995 their union has been deteriorating. Millions of dollars have been wasted due to the absence of general assemblies. A file, including the financial infringements committed during the period of sequestration, will be submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council and the Arab Federation of Engineers.

Argentine Jobless Vow to Continue Disruptive Protests

Groups of Argentines verified on Dec. 16 that they will remain camped out in downtown Buenos Aires until they are included in a government jobs plan. “We are going to stay right here until they (the government) give us an answer,” Julia Contrera, a member of one of the groups organizing the protest told Efe. Since yesterday, a score of tents have been blocking the central lane of 9 de Julio Avenue in front of the Social Development Ministry, inside of which they have also staged a sit-in to demand they be incorporated in a big government aid plan for work cooperatives.

The Argentina Trabaja plan was launched in August with the aim of generating 100,000 new jobs paying at least 1,300 pesos ($348) a month in “urban areas of high social vulnerability.” The government placed the administration of the plan in the hands of the mayors of the districts where it was being implemented, a move that brought complaints of “client elitism” by groups of unemployed and opposition parties.

Argentina’s unemployment rate, which peaked at more than 20 percent in 2002 amid a financial meltdown, was 9.1 percent in the third quarter of this year.

93 Garment and Shoe Factories in Cambodia Are Shut Down

At least 93 garment and shoe factories were closed in the first 11 months of 2009 at the cost of 38,190 jobs, figures released by the Minister of Labor and Training show. An additional 60 factories temporarily suspended operations, affecting 35,337 more jobs. But 55 new factories were also opened, creating 15,173 new positions.

Labor Ministry Secretary of State Oum Mean said the closures increased the rate of unemployment in Cambodia, but that about half of the laid-off workers found jobs again in the sector. Ministry figures show that 516 garment and shoe factories are still operating in the country, employing 358,660 workers. Of these, 418 factories are in Phnom Penh

There has been a significant increase in disputes between employers and employees this year, especially in the garment industry. The Arbitration Council had received 172 complaints from unions this year, up from 150 last year. Cambodia exports to the United States dropped 23.1 percent in the first eight months of this year.

Learn about workers and their unions in other countries by reading our weekly “The World of Labor” here and at our web site:https://www.laborsvoiceforchange.org .