ITGLWF slams Gamma Holding NV for labour rights abrogation at WFC
28 Nov '05
2 min read
Textile-based products manufacturer Gamma Holding NV has been slammed for failing to uphold fundamental labour rights in one of its US subsidiaries.
In a letter to Gamma Holdings CEO Meint Veninga, the Brussels-based International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation (ITGLWF) said that the multinational's denial of workers' legitimate right to strike showed that its code of conduct was a sham.
According to ITGLWF General Secretary Neil Kearney, the problems started when Gamma Holdings NV took over the National Wire Fabric Company (WFC) in Star City, Arkansas.
Says Mr. Kearney: At first the multinational claimed that local management would continue to be responsible for running the operation. But in spite of these assurances, the multinational quickly spurred local management into anti-union action. Security cameras were installed and provisions contained in the collective bargaining agreement were changed without any consultation with the union.
When contract negotiations began, management maintained its hostile attitude, putting forward proposals that attempted to claw back existing rights. This left the union no recourse but to go on strike.
Just when negotiations were about to result in an agreement, the company announced that some twenty temporary workers hired during the strike would be given permanent positions, and that the strikers –some of whom had been employed at the plant for thirty or forty years-would be allowed back only as vacancies occurred.
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.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)")
