Inside LabourStart

I can’t really remember a time where we have started and finished so many campaigns in a single week.  Here’s a brief summary of eight campaigns in a state of transition – full details on the “Our Campaigns” page.

Two new campaigns —

UK: First employer lock-out in over 50 years – new campaign launched yesterday at the request of Britain’s largest union, Unite, and UNI Global Union.

Global: Tell the IOC to Get Rio Tinto Off the Podium! – launched ten days ago, already over 5,000 messages sent. The first global campaign ever launched while I was on holiday — well done to Derek, Andy and the others who worked on this.

Four closed campaigns —

Netherlands: Support striking cleaners – closed today with a near-record 10,984 supporters and a clear victory. This will be spelled out in a message to our lists today.

Peru: Stop union-busting, reinstate sacked union leaders – closed with over 6,000 messages sent, at the request of the Solidarity Center.

Serbia: Free jailed Kosovar union leader Hasan Abazi – closed after just 17 days with more than 7,500 messages sent. Hasan was released on bail and returned home.

Canada: End the lockout at Acadian Coach Lines – closed at the request of the union which reported that negotiations begin in a few days. Over 6,700 messages sent.

Two campaigns closing soon —

Bahrain: Free jailed trade union leader Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb – will close tomorrow unless I hear otherwise from the Education International. Over 8,300 messages sent in the last 3 months.

Greece: Trade union leaders arrested following protests – will close soon as the campaign has been running far too long; have asked TUC and ITUC and waiting to hear from the Greek comrades. Over 9,900 messages sent.