Where trade unionists start their day on the net.
In this week's mailing:
* Korea: Government tries to smash public sector union - urgent action needed
* South Africa, New Zealand: Disputes end in union victories
* Andy Stern's new book
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KOREA: GOVERNMENT TRIES TO SMASH PUBLIC SECTOR UNION - URGENT ACTION NEEDED
Yesterday was the fourth day of a massive government crackdown on local offices of the Korea Government Employees Union. Over 100 union offices have been closed down by police, and union members have been arrested. According to a report we received several hours ago, "Riot police and thugs armed with fire extinguishers, fire-fighting dust, hammers, claw hammers, hammer drills and power saws broke through the windows or even by making an opening in the wall to storm into union offices."
The union calls this "a war between a democratic and independent trade union and an authoritarian and barbaric government. It was a war between those who believe in freedom of association for all workers and those who believe that trade union rights could be subject to government rulings."
And they are appealing for your solidarity. For full details and to send off your messages, go here:
http://www.labourstart.org/kgeu
Pass this message on!
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SOUTH AFRICA, NEW ZEALAND: DISPUTES END IN UNION VICTORIES
We're very pleased to announce the end of two disputes we had reported on here in recent weeks.
The 4-month old strike at Kraft South Africa is now over, the union having achieved its essential demands. Full details are here:
http://www.labourstart.org/fawu
In New Zealand, the month long battle between the Progressive supermarket chain (owned by Woolworths Australia) and the union is now over, with the union claiming victory. For full details, see the coverage on LabourStart:
http://www.labourstart.org/nz
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ANDY STERN'S NEW BOOK
Last year, Andy Stern, the leader of the largest and fastest growing union in North America, split the trade union movement in two by pulling his union out of the AFL-CIO and building a new federation with a handful of other unions. This year, he's published a book laying out his vision not only for a new labour movement, but for a new America. The book is called "A Country That Works".
According to author Barbara Ehrenreich, "The future of the American dream may lie in the hands of Andy Stern and his bold vision for reform. Read A Country That Works to understand the forces that split the American labor movement in 2005. Or read it for a glimpse into the heart of a man who has devoted his life to the struggle for a better deal for American working people. Either way, be prepared to throw out all your stereotypes about 'big labor' and embrace a vital agenda for change."
It's LabourStart's book of the week and I urge all of you to order your copies today:
http://www.labourstart.org/bookoftheweek
Have a great weekend.
Eric Lee
Texts appearing here are often press releases sent to us by unions and other organizations which do not appear elsewhere on the web. LabourStart takes no responsibility for their content.