manufacturing and materials
News and articles about work, policy and workers' struggles in manufacturing, research and development, mining and materials around the world.
Chinese factory workers riot
More unrest in China following further layoffs in the industrial heartland.
Over 500 rioted yesterday at a toy factory in Dongguan, on the Pearl River Delta in southern China, over pitiful severance payments handed out to 596 workers laid off this month.
Jose Yglesias remembers the solidarity of the cigar makers and their lectors - Studs Terkel
A personal account, as told to the late Studs Terkel, of the cigar workers community in early 20th century Tampa, Florida - its strong traditions of solidarity and self-education; and the role of the 'lectors' or workplace readers.
Source; Hard Times - An Oral History of the Great Depression; Studs Terkel, Pantheon Books, NY, 1970.
Inflation provokes more strikes in Vietnam
An inflation rate of as high as 23% has provoked more walkouts in Vietnam's manufacturing industry.
Over 1,000 workers walked out of a Panasonic factory in Hanoi over the weekend demanding higher pay. This came in the wake of a strike by 5,000 at a shoe factory in Hai Phong City last month.
The Ecological Challenge: Three Revolutions are Necessary
With a planetary ecological crisis on hand, it can no longer be denied that socialism will be incompatible with mass production and mass consumption. Indeed, even without returning to Malthusian catastrophe theories, we are forced to admit that the planet’s resources are not inexhaustible. These resources could provide for humanity’s needs, but only if they are used in a reasonable and rational way, i.e., in a manner directly opposed to capitalist logic, which in itself is a source of imbalance.
The Ecological Challenge: Three Revolutions are Necessary
by Alternative Libertaire
Coca Cola plant goes up in flames
Three persons died and several others were injured when the multi-million naira Coca Cola plant at Eyean, near Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday went up in flames during an explosion that causes extensive damage to the facility.
The development had prompted the management of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) to suspend operations at the plant.
The dead workers were said to have been taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) morgue while the injured were reportedly receiving treatment.
Mexico: Corona bottle makers face redundancy for supporting independent union
Factory workers in San Luis Potosí in northern Mexico have been threatened by their bosses with the closure of their factory if they don't renounce their elected independent union in favour of the bosses' union.
The threat from Grupo Modelo in the Industrial Vidriera Potosí factory comes not long after the firing of over 250 workers for being involved with the activities of Sindicato Único de Trabajadores de la Empresa IVP (SUTEIVP).
Belgium: Duracell workers win strike
Workers at the factory in Aarschot had originally walked out on Thursday during negotiations.
The latest offer was approved by 69,6% of workers at a General Assembly on Tuesday. Workers had refused a management offer of 500 euros in bonuses, a 100 euro christmas bonus and a staff shop selling products from the parent company Procter & Gamble. They eventually settled for a 750 euro bonus paid in three installments with the other benefits included.
Remploy workers to strike
Workers at 28 factories due to be closed by Remploy are being balloted for strike action.
Following a decision in November last year by the former secretary of state Peter Hain, Remploy will close 28 out of it's total network of 83 factories as part of a modernisation deal. The factory closures will result in the loss of 2,000 supported jobs for workers with disabilities. Two strike ballots have come back in favour of action, and a further six are being held with more to follow.
France: Areva strikers issued with summonses
31 striking workers have been issued with summonses for 'restricting the freedom to work'
80 of the 89 workers at the Montrouge site have been on strike since January 10th over plans to close the factory down. Workers have also occupied and blockaded the buildings in protest. There has been no explanation of why the 31 employees targetted were chosen.
France: round-up of strikes and more government attacks on conditions
The government continues attacking workers and immigrants and workers continue defending themselves.
Just outside of Paris at the Areva TD factory in Montrouge, 89 striking workers have been occupying and blockading the factory for four days.The movement began after management announced plans to close the factory, which produces electrical transformers. Workers are demanding large compensation payments, management is currently refusing to negotiate.
