Press release: Latin American & Caribbean offshore task force group launched to fight for worker' rights

Please find this release attached and below.

Yours,

Sam Dawson

ITF

26 March 2015

Latin American & Caribbean offshore taskforce group launched to fight for offshore workers' rights in the region

ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) affiliated trade unions meeting in Rio de Janerio today launched a new Americas Region task force group dedicated to protecting the rights of Latin American and Caribbean workers in the offshore oil and gas sector.

 

As part of its aims, the new ITF Americas Regional Offshore Oil and Gas Task Force Group will campaign to retain and secure national cabotage and continental shelf jurisdiction in the offshore oil and gas sector.  Enrique Lozano from the Mexican Maritime Union (Orden de Capitanes y Pilotos Navates) has been appointed as the co-ordinator of the group.

 

Speaking from the meeting, Antonio Fritz, ITF Americas regional secretary, said: "This is a historic event. The Americas OTFG, backed by the ITF and its global Offshore Task Force Group (OFTG), will send a signal to governments and the hydrocarbon industry that cabotage in the region is here to stay and the ITF Global Offshore Policy will be fully promoted in the region."

 

"Reserved national cabotage is a key element of the ITF's Mexico City policy, and it is great to see that its benefits for countries and workers are being so vigorously upheld here."

 

ITF OTFG chair Norrie McVicar  is also attending the meeting. He applauded the developments in the Americas region and congratulated the Maritime Union of Australia in the Asia-Pacific Region on its cabotage campaign and the defeat of the Abbott government yesterday in the federal court, which rejected its underhand means of deploying work visas for foreign workers. 

 

 

ITF affiliates attending the meeting from Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, Guyana, Peru, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela also sent their congratulations to the Australian unions involved in the Cabotage campaign.

 

ENDS

 

For further information please contact:

Antonio Rodriguez Fritz, ITF Inter-American regional secretary

Tel: +55 (0) 21 2223 0410 +55 (0) 21 2223 0410

Fax: +55 (0) 21 3095 0440

Email: itf_americas@itf.org.uk

 

Norrie McVicar, ITF Offshore Task Force Group Chairman:

Tel:  +44 (0)7768652257. Email: mcvicar_norrie@itf.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Press release: COURT ORDERS WIZZ AIR TO REINSTATE DISMISSED UNION LEADER

Please find this joint ETF-ITF press release attached and below

PRESS RELEASE

Brussels/London, 25 March 2015

 

COURT ORDERS WIZZ AIR TO REINSTATE DISMISSED UNION LEADER

 

The European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) today welcomed the decision of Romania's Ilfov court to order the reinstatement of an unfairly dismissed trade union leader. The court decided on 19 March 2015 that the dismissal of the president of Sindicatul Aerolimit (the cabin crew union at Wizz Air's base in Bucharest) was illegal and the company has to reinstate him. In addition, Wizz Air is liable to pay compensation equal to his salary.

 

The low cost Wizz Air airline has been traditionally non-union. In the summer of 2014, a few courageous cabin crew members decided to set up a trade union to defend the rights of their colleagues at the base in Bucharest (Romania). One month after founding the union its president, Mircea Constantin, was fired on disciplinary grounds. The vice president and secretary of the trade union were suspended from flight duties, with the company claiming that their union involvement made them a safety hazard. Management pressure grew and the Wizz Air CEO stated that he would not accept any kind of union in his company. Many workers began to fear they would lose their jobs, and came under severe pressure from an anti-union campaign arranged by Wizz Air, to send emails renouncing union membership. The whole story culminated on 4 November 2014 with the termination of 19 contracts of Union members.

 

Despite campaigning by the ETF and ITF together with the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which included a LabourStart campaign that gathered nearly 10,000 signatures worldwide, Wizz Air refused to reinstate the dismissed workers. Now the decision of the Romanian court has forced the company to respect the law and in particular, the protection of trade union leaders.

 

"We are very happy about the swift decision in the case of Mircea Constantin, which will enable him to continue his work in Wizz Air and hope for a quick decision in the court case of the other 19 dismissed union members", commented François Ballestero, ETF Political Secretary for Civil Aviation. He was seconded by Gabriel Mocho, ITF Civil Aviation Secretary, who added: "Respect for the right to organise is fundamental. It is unacceptable that airlines are trying to get competitive advantage by not respecting the law. "

 

For further information, please contact François Ballestero, ETF Political Secretary, f.ballestero@etf-europe.org or Gabriel Mocho, ITF Civil Aviation Secretary, Mocho_Gabriel@itf.org.uk

 

The ETF represents more than 3.5 million transport workers from 41 European countries. The ITF is an international federation of transport workers' trade unions gathering 4.5 million transport workers from some 150 countries.

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

www.itfglobal.org 

www.facebook.com/ITFglobal 

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.

LAN Airline flights may be affected by industrial disputes in Chile, Colombia and Ecuador; Protests in Miami/Vuelos de LAN serían afectados por movilización de trabajadores en Chile, Colombia y Ecuador; protestas en Miami.

Please find attached and below an advisory from the ITF LATAM Network, whose contact details for more information can be found at the end.

Yours,

Sam Dawson

ITF

 

Para su inmediata distribución 24 de Marzo de 2015   Vuelos de LAN serían afectados por movilización de trabajadores en Chile, Colombia y Ecuador; protestas en Miami.   ·      Sindicatos de Ecuador, Colombia y Miami están coordinando acciones para una posible huelga en Chile   ·      Sindicatos de Estados Unidos informarán a los pasajeros sobre posibles demoras durante el torneo Sony Open que auspicia LAN en Miami   ·      Se pide a los pasajeros y usuarios que soliciten información actualizada de sus vuelos a la compañía debido a las posibles cancelaciones y demoras	For Immediate Release: March 24, 2015   LAN Airline flights may be affected by industrial disputes in Chile, Colombia and Ecuador; Protests in Miami   ·      Unions in Ecuador, Colombia and Miami are coordinating actions with a potential strike in Chile.   ·      US unions will inform passengers about potential delays during the LAN Airlines sponsored Sony Open tennis tournament in Miami   ·      Passengers are urged to request up to date information from the company about possible delays and cancellations.
Los vuelos de la sudamericana LAN Airlines podrían ser afectados. La serie de acciones comienza el 25 de Marzo en Chile, Colombia, Ecuador y Miami. Al momento la empresa no responde a las demandas de los sindicatos para mejorar las condiciones de trabajo. Los trabajadores de LAN son responsables de la seguridad de los pasajeros, el mantenimiento de las aeronaves y las conexiones en los aeropuertos. "Los pasajeros nacionales e internacionales estarán sujetos a extensas demoras y cancelaciones. Chile, Colombia y Ecuador son centros importantes de conexión para la compañía aérea". Así se lee en los volantes que serán repartidos entre los usuarios de Lan y Tam Airlines que visiten los aeropuertos "Arturo Merino Benítez" (Santiago, Chile) y "El Dorado" (Bogotá, Colombia). En Ecuador, la actividad será anunciada en los terminales aéreos "Mariscal Sucre", de Quito, y "Olmedo", en Guayaquil,   El conflicto de los trabajadores latinoamericanos de LAN ha logrado la solidaridad y el apoyo  de sindicatos afiliados a la ITF en todo el mundo incluyendo de los EE.UU, en donde voluntarios sindicales y de organizaciones comunitarias harán entrega de la información en el Sony Open 2015, que se inicia este miércoles en Key Biscaine, Miami, Florida. LATAM Airlines es sponsor oficial del torneo. Con panfletos informativos alertarán al publico acerca de las condiciones laborales de los trabajadores en LAN y de las posibles demoras que podrían afectar a quienes asistan al torneo de tenis.   Chile, Colombia y Ecuador son importantes ejes de conexión para vuelos en toda América Latina. De acuerdo con Luis Chavez, Presidente del sindicato de LAN Express en Chile y líder de la Federacion de Trabajadores del Holding, "estas dificultades se pueden prevenir y anticipar. Los problemas son una cascada debido a la negativa de LAN de garantizar condiciones justas para los empleados"     Los trabajadores invitarán a los pasajeros y usuarios del área de cargas a lo largo de la región a tener un rol activo en estas movilizaciones contactando a la empresa en sus números gratuitos para tener información actualizada de las posibles demoras y cancelaciones. Asimismo los pasajeros podrían exigir a la compañía que sea responsable en el servicio que entrega, el cual depende de las buenas condiciones laborales de los trabajadores de cada área de la línea aérea.   Los sindicatos de LAN y TAM Airlines son miembros activos de la Federación Internacional de los Trabajadores del Transporte (ITF) que representa a mas de 4.5 millones de trabajadores del transporte en 150 países del mundo. La compañía LATAM Airlines GROUP incluye a las chilena LAN Airlines y la brasileña TAM Airlines siendo la transportadora mas grande de Latinoamérica.	A number of flights of South American LAN Airlines could be affected. The unions of LAN Airlines will begin a series of actions on Wednesday, March 25th in Chile, Columbia, Ecuador and Miami. To date the company has not responded to the union's demands to improve working conditions.   LAN Airline workers are responsible for passenger safety, airplane maintenance, and customer connections in airports.   "National and international passengers could be subject to extensive delays and cancellations. Chile, Colombia and Ecuador are important hubs for the airline". So reads the leaflets to be distributed to passengers visiting airports "Arturo Merino Benitez" (Santiago, Chile) and "El Dorado" (Bogotá, Colombia). In Ecuador, the leaflets will be distributed at "Mariscal Sucre" in Quito, and "Olmedo" in Guayaquil.               The conflict with the workers of LAN Airlines has gained support from ITF affiliated unions across the world, including in the USA, where union and community volunteers will be handing out information at the 2015 Sony Open tennis tournament in Miami, Florida. LAN Airlines is an official sponsor of the event.  Leaflets will alert the public about the conditions of the LAN Airlines workers and the potential delays that could affect those attending the tennis tournament.               Chile, Colombia and Ecuador are important connecting hubs to flights throughout Latin America according to Luis Chavez, President of the LAN Express union in Chile.  "These difficulties are preventable and predictable.  The problems are cascading due to LAN Airlines refusal to provide fair conditions for their workers."           Workers will be asking passengers and cargo users throughout the region to call the company's toll free numbers to find out the latest information about the possible delays and cancellations.  Passengers may also want to suggest that the company be responsible and provide fair working conditions for workers at the airline.                   The LAN Airline unions involved are members of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) representing more than 4.5 million transport workers from 150 countries around the world.  The company, the LATAM Airline Group, includes both Chilean LAN Airlines and Brazilian TAM Airlines and is the largest airline company in Latin America.
Posible Huelga en LAN Express, Chile   Este miércoles 25, en el Aeropuerto de Santiago se realizará una asamblea general del Sindicato de Trabajadores Lan Express. A ella asistirán dirigentes de los gremios de América Latina y nacionales.   El lunes 30 y martes 31 los trabajadores de este sindicato votarán la huelga por lo que se proyectan varias actividades para esos días. La asamblea que se realizará este miércoles también podría afectar el funcionamiento de todos los aeropuertos del país y las conexiones internacionales.   Todo esto se produce como una respuesta solidaria a la situación que vive la destacada dirigente  sindical internacional en Lan Ecuador, Jimena López.	Possible Strike in LAN Express, Chile   On Wednesday March 25th, a general assembly of the Union of LAN Express will take place at the Santiago airport. Leaders of unions throughout Latin America and Chile will attend the meeting.  The General Assembly could affect the operation of all of the country's airports and international connections.   On Monday March 30th and Tuesday 31st the workers of LAN Express union will vote on whether to strike.   The Chilean workers are seeking both improvements in their own working conditions and also the reinstatement of the  leader of the LAN Ecuador union, Jimena Lopez.
Conflictos regionales   Desde octubre del 2014 las movilizaciones y protestas no se detiene porque LAN Ecuador, tras el despido de la fundadora y secretaria general del primer sindicato aeronáutico de ese país.   La empresa se niega a reincorporarla, pese a que autoridades del gobierno del Presidente Rafael Correa, han calificado las practicas antisindicales como inconstitucionales y contrarias a las garantías del derecho laboral ecuatoriano y los estándares establecidos por los tratados internacionales.   En Colombia la compañía está despidiendo a los mecánicos y personal de carga con más experiencia de su staff. El sindicato estará movilizado. Los pasajeros en Colombia serán advertidos de posibles demoras en sus vuelos.	Regional Conflicts   Since October 2014 demonstrations and protests have erupted throughout the region because LAN Ecuador unjustly dismissed the founder, flight attendant and general secretary of the first aviation union in Ecuador, Jimena Lopez.   LAN Ecuador refuses to reinstate her, even though representatives of the President Rafael Correa government have called the company's actions unconstitutional and counter to Ecuadorian labour law and international labour standards       In Colombia the company is laying off experienced mechanics and cargo workers.  The union is taking action.  Passengers in Colombia will also be warned about potential delays in their flights.
Para más información:   Luis Chávez Garrido, Presidente Sindicato de Trabajadores Lan Express /Federación Trabajadores LAN. Tel. 56 9 68320444.  www.sindilanex.cl / el Facebook / @LanNego     Jimena López, secretaria general de  SITA y presidenta Comité Regional de Tripulantes de Cabina  Tel. +59 3995036803   Nancy Arancibia Olivares, periodista Red LATAM Nancynaao@gmail.com.  Tel. +56 9 97434611 Skype: nancy_arancibia   Dina Feller, coordinadora de la RED LATAM ITF Tel: +54 911 63030725. Email: redlatam.itf@gmail.com www.organizatelatam.com	For more information:   Garrido Luis Chavez, President Union of Lan Express / LAN Workers Federation. Tel. 56 September 68320444. www.sindilanex.cl / Facebook /LanNego   Jimena Lopez, Secretary General of SITA and president of Cabin Crew Regional Committee Tel. +59 3995036803   Nancy Arancibia Olivares, journalist LATAM Network Nancynaao@gmail.com. Tel. +56 9 97434611 Skype: nancy_arancibia   Dina Feller, coordinator of the LATAM NETWORK ITF Tel: +54 911 63030725. Email: redlatam.itf@gmail.com www.organizatelatam.com

 

 

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

www.itfglobal.org 

www.facebook.com/ITFglobal 

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.