We invite you to contribute short items to this column as a way for other fighting workers around the world to read about and learn from these important struggles. Jot down a few lines about what is happening in your union, at your workplace, or other workplaces in your area, including interesting political discussions.
Retail Workers In Sweden Strike For Higher Pay
Some 3,500 retail salespeople, store workers, and truck
drivers at 100 enterprises in Sweden went on strike May 29.
The employers answered the unions' walkout by locking out
7,500 other workers in the retail industry two hours each
day. Handelsanstalldas Forbund, the Swedish commercial
employees union, is demanding a 7.5 percent wage hike. A
majority of its members are women, among the lowest paid
workers in Sweden.
"I feel good about the strike," said truck driver Per Jansson, who was part of the walkout, at a food store in Arsta, Stockholm. "Why should we always make concessions, like last year? Now I hope that the union will continue this for awhile, to get the same percent wage increase for the lowest paid workers."
Many other workers in Sweden are pressing for higher wages. Paper mill workers recently signed a two-year contract that gave them a 3.8 percent general wage increase each year. The metal industry employers, especially those in auto, electronics, and machine shops, criticized that agreement as too expensive. They demanded that the metal workers union give up and sign a contract with no general wage increases. Following a three-week union-organized overtime ban, production and office workers in that industry signed a three-year contract May 22 with the same wage increases as the paper mill workers.
The unions organizing workers in the construction, steel, lumber, and food industries recently agreed to similar contracts.
Under Swedish law, unions cannot call a strike over local disputes once a national contract is signed. The food workers at the state monopoly Vin och Sprit (Wine and Liquor ) in Ahus, however, launched a wildcat strike for a couple of hours when they heard their union had signed a contract with less than they expected. According to a union official there, Stefan Brandt, "the workers struck because their bosses have received a wage increase of between 10 percent and 30 percent while they only get a couple of percents
- they are outraged by the disregard of their needs."
The food workers walkout reflects the mood that exists among many working people in Sweden, hard hit by tax increases and the austerity measures promoted by the social democratic government. The employers will have to contend with this mood in the fall during negotiations in the highly profitable export industries.
The union organizing hotel and restaurant workers announced a June 12 strike to win a 5.6 percent wage increase.
Vineyard workers join United Farm Workers
Farm workers in Washington State won a victory June 2,
when Chateau Ste. Michelle vinyard workers voted to be
represented by the United Farm Workers of America (UFW). The
eight-year battle to win union representation and a contract
ended May 2 when the company and union agreed to allow the
union representation vote in exchange for an end to the farm
workers' boycott against Stimson Lane Vineyards and Estates.
The bosses agreed to begin contract negotiations right away.
Several legal obstacles have helped the growers over the years to block attempts by farm workers to form unions. The National Labor Relations Act exempts farm workers and no state law requires collective bargaining with them.
"This is historic," said UFW president Arturo Rodriguez. "It sends a message to farm workers across the country - there is a way to win."
The pact came after several months of stepped-up activity by farm workers in the Yakima Valley and by supporters in several cities across the state. The fight was featured at a "Supporter and Worker Convocation" of 150 held March 12 and at a "March for Justice" in Sunnyside of 200 farm workers April 1. The annual Cinco de Mayo solidarity march in Mt. Vernon drew more than 150 people. Farm workers also organized house meetings to win workers to the union. Supporters picketed grocery stores to inform residents about the contract fight and the boycott against Chateau Ste. Michelle.
Workers strike juice plant in New Zealand
Workers at Enza Products Ltd, which processes fruit
juice in South Auckland, New Zealand, began a 24-hour picket
of the plant June 6. They decided to go on strike after
contract negotiations broke down. Pickets carried placards
reading, "Profits soar, wages down," "Toot for support," and
"Money for Black Magic but not for workers." Enza Products
was a major sponsors of the yacht Black Magic in its bid to
win the Americas Cup yachting trophy.
Most of the 60 workers in the factory are members of the United Food, Beverage & General Workers Union. The National Distribution Union, which covers six store workers at the plant, is also organizing the strike. The unions are asking for a 4 percent wage rise, increased allowances for shift work, and other improvements.
The company is demanding takebacks, including the removal of penal rates (premium payments) for overtime. Workers on the picket line explained that they work at least a nine-hour day, five days a week, over three shifts. A 60- 70 hour workweek is common.
A machine operator said that after six years with the company he is paid NZ$11.20 (NZ$1 = US$0.66) an hour. Another picket described how workers had reached their quotas over the past two years and the company was doing well. "There's no justice for workers," he said.
The Enza Products plant, formerly run by the Apple and Pear Marketing Board, dominates the processing of fruit juice for the local market, with brand names such as Fresh Up and Just Juice. Recently, sales have opened up in Japan. Workers said they felt this gave added strength to their strike as it is the summer season in Japan when fruit juices are in demand. The strike has gained support from other food process workers in Auckland who have donated food or dropped by the picket line. Waterfront workers in the city of Tauranga, who have been taking action against the introduction of casual labor at the port, sent a donation.
Contributors to this week's column include: Carl-Erik Isacsson, a member of metalworkers union Local 30 in Sodertalje, Sweden; Sibyl Perkins, a member of International Association of Machinists Local 289 in Seattle; and Mervyl Morrison, a member of the United Food, Beverage & General Workers Union in Auckland, New Zealand.