ITF press release Minister of Labour: LAN Ecuador¹s dismissal of trade union leader is unconstitutional

Please find attached a press release from the International Transport Workers' Federation: Minister of Labour: LAN Ecuador's dismissal of trade union leader is unconstitutional 

Gemma Walker

POC communications 

ITF communications: getting the message out - when and where it matters

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ITF press release: ITF Calls On Australian Government To Do Better On Labour Rights

Dear journalist,

Please find attached the ITF press release: 'ITF Calls On Australian Government To Do Better On Labour Rights'

For more information, please contact Darrin Barnett: Darrin.Barnett@mua.org.au

Best regards, 

Jeremy Anderson

ITF communications: getting the message out - when and where it matters

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ITF press release: New film shames 'dire' Black Sea conditions

Please find attached a press release from the International Transport Workers' Federation: New film shames 'dire' Black Sea conditions.

Thanks very much, 

Gemma 

Gemma Walker

POC communications 

ITF communications: getting the message out - when and where it matters

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LATAM network press release: Ecuador¹s government to call on LAN Ecuador to comply with the Constitution and reinstate illegally dismissed trade union leader

  

Ecuador's government to call on LAN Ecuador to comply with the Constitution and reinstate illegally dismissed trade union leader

In a long meeting  at the Ministry of Labour, trade union leaders representing workers at LAN Peru, Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador met Ecuador's Minister of Labour to seek government mediation in attempts to secure the reinstatement of Ximena López after she was illegally dismissed in October this year. Ecuador's Minister of Labour declared himself to be "one more soldier in this fight" and agreed to ask the company to comply with the Constitution and reinstate the leader.

Ecuador's Minister of Labour, Dr Carlos Ernesto Marx, told a delegation of trade union leaders representing workers at LATAM Airlines Group in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Columbia and Ecuador, and Edgar Díaz, Assistant Regional Secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), that he would speak to LAN Ecuador managers about the reinstatement of Ximena López, General Secretary of the Aerolane Workers Trade Union (SITA),  who was arbitrarily and illegally dismissed by the company on 14 October this year.

At a meeting that took place on the top floor of the ministry in Quito, the minister received a delegation of at least 20 union leaders, including Ximena López, representing LAN employees in South America. 

The trade union leaders explained their point of view about the company's anti-trade union action and also pointed out the lack of a collective agreement at the company. This was backed up by Edgar Díaz, representing the ITF's regional office.

The minister responded by promising, on behalf of the government, to mediate in the dispute and to ask company representatives to respect the union's right to organise workers at LAN Ecuador. It is therefore hoped that there will be significant progress in the short term regarding the reinstatement of Ximena López and the negotiation of a collective agreement.

INTERNATIONAL ACTION

The unfair, discriminatory and sexist dismissal of Ximena López is a key case for trade union leaders throughout the region. They see it as a blatant and unpunished attempt to intimidate union members at the Chilean owned airline, which has a presence throughout Latin America. 

Ximena López is a leader of international importance inside the company who, in addition to founding the union that organises LAN workers in Ecuador, is a prominent activist on labour rights, gender equality and in the organisation of the ITF's LATAM network. Her dismissal triggered international solidarity action, resulting in flight delays, letters and protests at embassies in all the countries where LATAM Airlines operates. 

Ximena López said the meeting was positive and raised hopes for her reinstatement. "The minister agreed to support us and to ensure compliance with the Constitution. He said he was one more soldier in this fight and so we are very hopeful that he will put into practice the government's policy of protecting trade union leaders, especially those representing responsible trade unions. The minister is very supportive of this type of organisation. I am almost sure that there will be a positive response", said López.

The ITF's Assistant Regional Secretary agreed with López's assessment of the meeting and said that the federation will be closely following the case. "The result was very important for the ITF. We succeeded in getting the Minister of Labour to agree to meet LAN's local management and request the reinstatement of our colleague Ximena López. We think this is an urgent case and there is no doubt that we will continue to give this case the attention it deserves. We will follow events closely and look forward to being informed of the date for the minister's meeting with LAN managers so we can follow up with our own action", said Edgar Díaz.

Darío Castillo of the Federation of Trade Unions at the LAN Chile Group (FETHLAN) said there could be a successful outcome but that the unions should continue to keep the pressure up on this case. "We had to work hard to get the minister to agree to meet with LAN. He has never shown himself to be especially interested in the workers' request. But after union pressure, he agreed to our request to meet LAN and seek the reinstatement of Ximena. We are hopeful, but this also depends to some extent on the unions continuing to put pressure on", said the Chilean representative.

  

For more information:

www.organizatelatam.com 

Facebook: Red-Latam-Itf

Twitter: @LATAMNETWORKITF

 

 

 

 

 

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ITF press release: ITF calls for implementation of new IMO measures on safe manning

Please find attached a press release from the International Transport Workers' Federation: ITF calls for implementation of new IMO measures on safe manning

Thanks very much, 

Gemma 

Gemma Walker

POC communications 

ITF communications: getting the message out - when and where it matters

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Press release: ITF comment on Aqaba port conflict

Please find attached a press release from the International Transport Workers' Federation: 

ITF comment on Aqaba port situation 

Thanks very much, 

Gemma 

Gemma Walker

POC communications 

ITF communications: getting the message out - when and where it matters

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FW: Press release: Maritime workers and asylum seekers: All in the same boat

This time with attachment

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From: Sam Dawson <dawson_sam@itf.org.uk>
Date: Thursday, 4 December 2014 11:39
Subject: Press release: Maritime workers and asylum seekers: All in the same boat

Please find this press release from the MUA attached, and quoting MUA national secretary and ITF president Paddy Crumlin.

Yours,

Sam Dawson

ITF communications: getting the message out - when and where it matters

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Press release: Maritime workers and asylum seekers: All in the same boat

Please find this press release from the MUA attached, and quoting MUA national secretary and ITF president Paddy Crumlin.

Yours,

Sam Dawson

ITF communications: getting the message out - when and where it matters

www.itfglobal.org 

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Twitter: @itfglobalunion

This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and then delete it immediately. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person. Any views or opinions expressed within the email are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of the ITF.

EUROPEAN BIOPLASTICS CONFERENCE:NOVAMONT’S BIOREFINERY MODEL OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY

 

NOVAMONT'S BIOREFINERY AS A MODEL OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY AT EUROPEAN BIOPLASTICS' CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS

Third generation Mater-Bi^® and the new Matrica flagship plants will be among the protagonists of the ninth Conference organized

by the European association of bioplastics industry

 

                            

Novara-Brussells, 2 December 2014 – The international Conference organized by European Bioplastics, the European association of bioplastics' industry, starts today in Brussels. Leading industry players meet there to discuss how biopolymers can help to make Europe and its Member States a model of circular economy based on resource efficiency.

"Bioplastics - Driving a Resource Efficient Europe" is the title of this 9^th edition of the Conference, opened by Helmut Maurer's speech, Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission, who will focus on the role of bioplastics in the creation of a circular economy, and by Axel Singhofen MP of the Greens/European Free Alliance at the European Parliament's Environment Committee, who will introduce the issue of EU legislation aimed at reducing traditional plastic bags.

 

Among the over 30 experts who will attend the Conference, Stefano Facco, Novamont's Head of New Business Development, will present how integrated biorefineries in local areas, allow to realize a circular economy in which agriculture, land, research and industry work together to create new sustainable products, employment and competitiveness.

 

A concrete example of this new model is represented by Matrìca, the 50:50 joint venture between Novamont and Versalis created to convert the petrochemical plant in Porto Torres, Sardinia, in a biorefinery with an integrated agricultural supply chain. Through a proprietary technology first in the world and all Italian, that does not use ozone in the reaction of oxidative cleavage of the vegetable oil, Matrìca produces intermediates such as azelaic acid and pelargonic acid, as well as new proprietary products, through a safe and low environmental impact process.

 

The azelaic acid, besides several application it could have, is the basis of third generation Mater-Bi^®, characterized by a higher content of renewable resources, low "cradle to grave" emissions and improved performances: another important result achieved through Novamont's constant innovation.

2014 saw Matrica's first three flagship plants launch, realized with an investment of approx. 180 million euro, with a total capacity of approx. 70 thousand tons per year: the plant converting vegetable oils into monomers and intermediates, the rubbers and polymers additives plant integrated with the first and dedicated to the production of extensor oils, and the esterification plant, flexible and independent, dedicated to the production of specialties relevant for various applicative fields.

 

Novamont's speech during the Conference will place a special focus on products deriving from the innovative integration between agriculture and industry, able to combine renewability, biodegradability and low environmental impact. Not only bioplastics, but also bio-lubricants, products for house and health care, phytosanitary, additives for rubber and plastics industry and food fragrances are the result of such innovative development.

 

***

 

Novamont is a leading company in the development and production of materials and biochemicals through the integration of chemistry, the environment and agriculture. With 370 employees (approx. 20% employed in R&D), it posted sales of €136 million in 2013 and continued to invest in research and development (6.2% of its 2013 sales). It has a portfolio of around 1,000 patents. The company headquarters are in Novara, while it also has a production facility in Terni and research laboratories in Novara, Terni and Piana di Monte Vernam near Caserta. Novamont has subsidiaries in Porto Torres (SS), Bottrighe (RO), Terni and Patrica (FR). It has commercial offices in Germany, France and the United States and operates through its own distributors in Benelux, Scandinavia, Denmark, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

 

Novamont Press Office

press@novamont.com

tel. +39. 0321.6996.11

mob.: +39.340.1166.426

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Press release: Workers speak out on World AIDS Day

Please find this release attached and below.

Yours,

Sam Dawson

28 November 2014

Workers speak out on World AIDS Day

HIV positive workers from ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) trade unions are among those speaking out on World AIDS Day on Monday 1 December. All are involved in ITF programmes to challenge HIV/AIDS – and the stigma that surrounds it – in the workplace and the home.

 

ITF unions will be taking part in the day with a variety of activities, including prevention, education and voluntary counselling and testing events, marches and rallies. Find out more here: www.itfglobal.org/en/campaigns-solidarity/campaigns/world-AIDS-day-2014.

 

ITF HIV/AIDS programme co-ordinator Dr Asif Altaf explained: "The ITF has worked tirelessly to tackle the effects of HIV/AIDS, especially among transport workers, who are particularly vulnerable to its effects. The often ground-breaking programmes and activities developed with our unions are vastly strengthened by the experience of those personally touched by the disease, and World AIDS Day is providing a platform through which they can make their stories available to their fellow workers."

 

These are some of the experiences that trade unionists will be sharing with their fellow workers on World AIDS Day (WAD):

 

Liton Saha, a seafarer from India, who is also the coordinator of a network of HIV positive transport workers: "HIV positive workers still face huge challenges in terms of discrimination in the workplace and even at home. Me and the network of HIV positive transport workers will work hand in hand with ITF affiliates to mark World AIDS Day and challenge HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination not only on WAD but all year round."

 

Veronica Mwavula, a clinic attendant in a Kenya port authority clinic and treasurer of the USAFIRI network of HIV positive transport workers: "I was tested voluntarily and the result was positive. Obviously, my mission is not easy but I am glad to be involved in advocacy programmes with the union against HIV. I am so happy when I see transport workers change their behaviour. It is essential to involve HIV positive transport workers in prevention programmes."

 

Davison Samuel Kambudzi, general secretary of the Malawi railway workers' union and chair of the Malawi network of HIV positive transport workers: "Being HIV positive is just the beginning of another life. Knowing your status is a big step towards the fight against the pandemic. Union leaders and their members are there to carry the mantle of the Getting to Zero campaign."

 

Mike, a port worker from the Caribbean island of Guyana, : "When I was tested positive for HIV, I decided to join the fight against the stigma associated with it by sharing personal testimonies in the workplace. Transport workers feel comfortable being able to speak with their peers. We must have frank discussions about sex, HIV and machismo, and also about the stigma and discrimination faced by workers in the workplace".

 

The ITF works to:

• establish HIV/AIDS as part of trade unions' core programmes and activities
• encourage unions to lobby for HIV to become a workplace issue
• support programmes and activities to prevent future infections
• provide care and support to infected members and their families

 

For more about this work see www.itfglobal.org/en/cross-sectoral-work/hiv-AIDS

 

ENDS

 

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