(after 81 years) Liberia’s Firestone Rubber Workers Win a Union Voice

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/01/06/liberias-firestone-rubber-workers-win-a-union-voice/

by Mike Hall, Jan 6, 2008

For the first time in 81 years, the more than 4,000 workers at a Bridgestone Firestone-owned rubber plantation in Liberia now are in control of their own union. In late December, the Liberian Supreme Court ruled the July election that threw out the officials of the longtime company-controlled union was a legitimate election.



International election observers, including the United Steelworkers (USW) and the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center certified the election but a small group of officials from the discredited company union challenged the results.

While the case was before the court, Firestone refused to bargain with union and on Dec. 6, the workers staged a strike demanding recognition of their union. Austin Nantee, the newly elected president of the Firestone Agriculture Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL), says:

The Firestone workers are jubilant and are steadfast in their commitment. The workers themselves have realized their power and are looking forward to carving out a new collective bargaining agreement with the company.

Says USW President Leo Gerard:

This ruling is a landmark victory for democratic and independent unions and provides Firestone workers with an opportunity to bargain with management to obtain much-needed improvements in wages, health care, safety and educational opportunities.

The USW calls on Firestone to accept the results of the election and to begin the process of working with the union to achieve a fair agreement that rewards and respects the work of Liberian rubber workers.

FULL story at link

[LaStrega]

1. 81 freakin' years!!!

:wtf:

Holy shit. And I complain it's been nearly 3-years I've waited for a contract. :mad: