wages
Canada: metal-workers strike over pensions and pay
Workers at the mining company QIT Fer et Titane in Quebec hav been on strike for over a month, with no end in sight.
Workers are protesting against the two-tier pension system that the company, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, is trying to impose on new workers. Workers had already accepted a freeze on benefits to allow the company to make up pension shortfalls.
The workers are also demanding a salary increase and there are further non-financial demands.
Cameroon: Primary school teachers to strike
Teachers have given official notice of strike action from October 2nd to October 5th, this will coincide with the anniversary of the 1966 UNESCO recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
The main demands relate to quality of life. Teachers are demanding that their salaries be re-evaluated, in 1992-1993 salaries were lowered by 50-70% and this fall has not been made up. They are also demanding that all salary arrears be paid in full, including payments linked to exams. They have also asked for a housing allowance.
Ivory Coast: Medical strike enters ninth day
The all-out strike, with no minimum service, continues, leaving hospitals practically deserted.
The strike was originally called by the Ivory Coast senior medical workers union (Synacass-ci) in relation to yearly pay negotiations. Currently a doctor receives a salary of 173000 CFA Francs (£180), the Ivory coast is suffering from major price increases, especially of staples. For example the price of 12kg of cooking gas has risen from 3500 CFA Francs to between 4500 and 5000.
Canada: carpenter's wildcat spreads to other workers
250 carpenters at the Petro-Canada site launched the wildcat strike after their planned strike was banned by anti-union laws.
The region's 4000 carpenters are asking for a rise equal to that earned by metal-workers earlier in the summer. According to Martyn Piper of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners (UBCJ) some 20 issues have been resolved during negotiations and that the only disagreement is over a wage increase.
Ivory Coast: primary school teachers continue strike
The strike, which originally began in November and was suspended in January, came back into effect on the 14th of June.
The basic demand of the teachers is an increase in the allowance that they are paid towards accomodation. The planned budget for this year gives teachers 30000 CFA Francs (£29:50) a year. Average monthly wages in Ivory Coast are estimated at CFA 26200, although due to civil problems all figures are unreliable.
Greece: Acropolis closed due to strike
Attendants at Greek archaeological sites have decided to focus their strike on the symbolic target of the Acropolis in Athens.
The Acropolis will be closed this weekend as well as next weekend in support of workers' demands. They are currently calling for a bonus for night work, an increased bonus for working six days and week and for permanent jobs for contract workers.
Ivory Coast: customs and tax officers strike
Tax officers and customs officers launched strikes this week to demand payment of bonuses.
The customs officers' strike was in relation to unpaid quarterly bonuses. The planned 42-hour strike began on Wednesday in spite of assurance given by the Director General, Gnamien Konan, that bonuses would be paid in full by Thursday morning.
Chile: miners and support workers strike
Seeing record prices for raw materials and record profits for mining companies, workers in Chile are demanding better wages and conditions.
At the Collahuasi mine in Chile, one of the world's largest copper mines workers have given notice of a strike to begin Monday, they are demanding an 8% pay increase whereas management has only offered 1%, they are also asking for health and education benefits and a housing stipend.
Belgium: Wildcat strike at Volvo Europa factory
Workers at the truck factory in Oostakker, walked out during negotiations over pay.
In a vote on Friday 78% of workers rejected management's offer. After this rejection a meeting had been planned between management and the unions for Wednesday. At 10am the workers spontaneously stopped working.
Nigeria: General strike approaches over fuel price hikes
Workers from Nigeria's two largest unions are planning to launch an indefinite strike from Monday if their demands are not met.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are both calling for the government to reverse policies instigated by former president Olusegun Obasanjo just before he left office.
