News From USW: Steelworkers President Applauds Trade Unions in Latin America and Germany for Taking Stand Against Continental Tire’s Attacks on Workers

PITTSBURGH--News From USW: Leo W. Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers (USW), applauded a declaration by unions in Latin America, U.S. and Germany to develop a plan of action to challenge the efforts of Continental AG, headquartered in Hannover, Germany, to weaken or destroy unions at its operations.

The declaration cites Continental’s alleged violations of the right to collective bargaining in the U.S., Mexico and Ecuador and expresses concerns over the right to freedom of association and proper handling of safety and health matters in Brazil.

The declaration was enacted at a meeting on October 18 and 19, 2006 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, where seven unions from six different countries, including, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Germany and the U.S., discussed how to combat Continental's anti-union behavior.

Also present at the meeting were representatives from the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mining and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), the United Front of Tire Industry Workers of Latin America (FUTINAL), and the AFL-CIO.

“The meeting is historic since this was the first time unions representing rubber workers at Continental AG in Latin America, the U.S. and Germany met face-to-face to discuss the company’s anti-union actions, and to jointly develop a plan to be carried out in the coming months,” said Gerard.

The meeting was hosted by the National Union of Workers of General Tire (Continental) of Mexico.

The declaration recognized the fundamental importance of the German Mining, Chemical and Energy Union (IGBCE) in coordinating global activities.

The USW represents more than 850,000 workers in the U.S. and Canada. Some 70,000 are employed in the tire, rubber and plastic industry.