25 FEBRUARY
RUSSIA- NOVOSIBIRSK
Our comrade Alex Denisyuk, member of the AUCPB and one of the organizers of the protests by pensioners in Novosibirsk, has been sentenced to 7 days administrative arrest
Previously, we reported that in Novosibirsk early morning on the day of another “un-sanctioned” by the city mayor, demo at the Regional Administration on Feb. 21, our comrade, AUCPB member Alex Denisyuk - the leader of the organization of the Novosibirsk AUCPB, an activist in the movement for the restoration of unlimited travel for pensioners and people on benefits on public transport and that had been abolished by the Governor Yurchenko, was detained by police and thrown into a police cell, allegedly for "non-payment of fines to the Road Safety Inspectorate GBDD"
On February 22 at the magistrates court of the Kalinin district of Novosibirsk considered the administrative case against a comrade Alexei Denisyuk.
The court sentenced comrade Alexey Denisyuk for " failing to pay a fine of about 1,500 rubles - to 7-day administrative arrest "! Such inadequate severity of the offense and obviously earlier ordered court decision is nothing but a political reprisal in an attempt to intimidate people protesting against the sudden impoverishment and further deprivation of their social rights, especially - pensioners, under the constant chatter of the president and prime minister about their warm concern for the welfare of people. Such violence will only lead to strengthening of the protest movement. The authorities are themselves rapidly digging their own graves.
People unite against the criminal bourgeois capitalism imposed by the Soviet people counter!
Join up to our ranks!
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From the AUCPB Editor
The present Russian regime suffering complete collapse in everything and is beginning to become enraged, crossing over to fascistic methods in counter-acting against the people.
It is preparing legislation to prohibit the activities of communist organizations and communist ideology (as was done under Hitler in Germany at that time).
This is what is being said by the authorities: "In the popular press, our project was called " Destalinization”. This is inaccurate and politically incorrect, though the essence of the project, of course, is in the de-Stalinization and de-communization of Russian public consciousness and of our country itself... As the terrible sin was 70 years of totalitarianism, when the people carried out a revolution, came to power and supported an anti-human, barbaric regime. "<...>" The president raised the question about a legal assessment of the crimes. He said that the political assessment of them is clear as it has been sounded in his speeches and in statements of the State Duma. However, it is not entirely clear on how to develop a legal assessment of the crimes - but this one will need some thinking over."
(Http://novayagazeta.ru/data/2011/gulag47/00.html )
But the protest of the people can not be stopped by any repressive methods. Not everyone can be put in prison! The drastic impoverishment of the people, the catastrophic decline in its standard of living, lawlessness and corruption in all echelons, from the very top, leaves nothing to the people, except to intensify the fight against the existing criminal oligarchic capitalism.
A new socialist revolution is coming! So let us be worthy successors of the glory of our heroic forefathers - the revolutionaries who carried out the Great October Socialist Revolution, our grandfathers, who build socialism and defended it in World War II. We shall still win and continue our glorious Soviet history!
AUCPB
vkpb.ru
aucpbenglishwebsite.blogspot.com
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
AUCPB MEMBER ARRESTED
21 FEBRUARY Russia, Siberia, Novosibirsk,
SEVERAL ARRESTS MADE AS SIBERIAN PENSIONERS ONCE AGAIN PROTEST OUTSIDE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING
On February 21, in Novosibirsk, Siberia, another rally was held outside the regional administration building, demanding the return of unlimited free travel on public transport for pensioners and other people "privileged" on benefits, which were abolished from 1st January this year by governor Yurchenko’s decision. The authorities also this time refused to agree with the organisers on the rally venue, proposing that that the rally been moved from outside the windows of the governor to an uninhabited area at a local library, to where they attempting to send all rallies. Thus, this latest event went ahead without “mayoral consent”. The rally was organized by the "Pensioners – For A Dignified Life" and "Youth - For Veterans Rights”, movements which includes representatives of leftist organizations of Novosibirsk.
In the morning Russian police carried preventive detention of activists of the movement for the restoration of unlimited travel. Leader of the Novosibirsk AUCPB (All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks) Alex Denisyuk was detained and locked up in a cell for not paying fines to the State Road Safety Inspectorate.
Another Novosibirsk politician Igor Lobarev, when leaving his apartment, was met by people identifying themselves as CID officers wanting to take him down to the police station. He managed to escape and locked himself back into his apartment. He was also unable to get to the rally.
The rally was attended by about 400 people. The participants demanded from the Governor the immediate restoration of unlimited travel on public transport and chanted "Disgrace!", "Unlimited travel - to pensioners!" "Yurchenko, come outside, sneaky coward!"
There were also slogans: "Down with the "United Russia" party," “Let’s have socialism," "One solution - revolution!” and "Tunis, Cairo, Novosibirsk!"
A resolution was adopted at the rally, demanding the governor rescind his decision before March 4. Another rally is planned for March 4 in the same place, notice of which has been filed to the mayor's office.
By the end of the rally, police had arrested and detained several protesters. Protocols on administrative violations were drawn up on all of them for - participation in an rally without Mayoral consent.
Photos
http://vkpb-sibdv.ucoz.ru/blog/novosibirskie_pensionery_snova_vyshli_na_miting/2011-02-22-94
SEVERAL ARRESTS MADE AS SIBERIAN PENSIONERS ONCE AGAIN PROTEST OUTSIDE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING
On February 21, in Novosibirsk, Siberia, another rally was held outside the regional administration building, demanding the return of unlimited free travel on public transport for pensioners and other people "privileged" on benefits, which were abolished from 1st January this year by governor Yurchenko’s decision. The authorities also this time refused to agree with the organisers on the rally venue, proposing that that the rally been moved from outside the windows of the governor to an uninhabited area at a local library, to where they attempting to send all rallies. Thus, this latest event went ahead without “mayoral consent”. The rally was organized by the "Pensioners – For A Dignified Life" and "Youth - For Veterans Rights”, movements which includes representatives of leftist organizations of Novosibirsk.
In the morning Russian police carried preventive detention of activists of the movement for the restoration of unlimited travel. Leader of the Novosibirsk AUCPB (All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks) Alex Denisyuk was detained and locked up in a cell for not paying fines to the State Road Safety Inspectorate.
Another Novosibirsk politician Igor Lobarev, when leaving his apartment, was met by people identifying themselves as CID officers wanting to take him down to the police station. He managed to escape and locked himself back into his apartment. He was also unable to get to the rally.
The rally was attended by about 400 people. The participants demanded from the Governor the immediate restoration of unlimited travel on public transport and chanted "Disgrace!", "Unlimited travel - to pensioners!" "Yurchenko, come outside, sneaky coward!"
There were also slogans: "Down with the "United Russia" party," “Let’s have socialism," "One solution - revolution!” and "Tunis, Cairo, Novosibirsk!"
A resolution was adopted at the rally, demanding the governor rescind his decision before March 4. Another rally is planned for March 4 in the same place, notice of which has been filed to the mayor's office.
By the end of the rally, police had arrested and detained several protesters. Protocols on administrative violations were drawn up on all of them for - participation in an rally without Mayoral consent.
Photos
http://vkpb-sibdv.ucoz.ru/blog/novosibirskie_pensionery_snova_vyshli_na_miting/2011-02-22-94
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
AUCPB CLASS STRUGGLE 22 FEB
UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS TAKE OUT THE SUGAR FROM GLODENI SUGAR FACTORY - WORKERS CONTINUE TO BLOCK TRUCKS
18.02.2011 20:27
Events surrounding the Glodeni sugar factory, where the workers have for already a year an a half have been struggling for wages, have been developing ever more dramatically.
The stored at the plant 2500 tons of sugar is the last liquid asset of its bankrupt owner, the company, SA Glodeni-Zahar, and the last hope for workers to receive money owed to them. That's why people are on a round-the clock vigil at the warehouse doors to block access to the warehouse and prevent the illegal removal and sale of the sugar.
On the night of 16 to 17 February, at about 2 am, ten unknown individuals with their faces concealed face, opened the railway gates of the company, and took away with them 12 wagons loaded with sugar. Workers who carried out the blockade vigil of the plant, were in the minority and could not stop them. After that, the same unknown persons tried to open the gates of the road transport exit to get three vans loaded with sugar out, but the workers in desperation, ran under the wheels of trucks and were able to stop them. (For more information on the site IUF, visit : http://iuf.ru/1/1026.html )
Please urgently send a letter to the Moldovan authorities http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/campaigns/show_campaign.cgi?c=557 with a demand to intervene! Workers are demanding pay their wages since July 2009 and to stop the prosecution of his trade union leaders for organizing a blockade of the plant.
18.02.2011 20:27
Events surrounding the Glodeni sugar factory, where the workers have for already a year an a half have been struggling for wages, have been developing ever more dramatically.
The stored at the plant 2500 tons of sugar is the last liquid asset of its bankrupt owner, the company, SA Glodeni-Zahar, and the last hope for workers to receive money owed to them. That's why people are on a round-the clock vigil at the warehouse doors to block access to the warehouse and prevent the illegal removal and sale of the sugar.
On the night of 16 to 17 February, at about 2 am, ten unknown individuals with their faces concealed face, opened the railway gates of the company, and took away with them 12 wagons loaded with sugar. Workers who carried out the blockade vigil of the plant, were in the minority and could not stop them. After that, the same unknown persons tried to open the gates of the road transport exit to get three vans loaded with sugar out, but the workers in desperation, ran under the wheels of trucks and were able to stop them. (For more information on the site IUF, visit : http://iuf.ru/1/1026.html )
Please urgently send a letter to the Moldovan authorities http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/campaigns/show_campaign.cgi?c=557 with a demand to intervene! Workers are demanding pay their wages since July 2009 and to stop the prosecution of his trade union leaders for organizing a blockade of the plant.
Friday, 18 February 2011
AUCPB-CLASS STRUGGLE
AUCPB-CLASS STRUGGLE 14th – 18th FEB
LABOUR MOVEMENT IN RUSSIA – REPUBLICS OF EX-USSR – INTERNATIONAL
aucpbenglishwebsite.blogspot.com
18 FEBRUARY – RUSSIA- LONG DISTANCE LORRY DRIVERS’ PROTEST LOOMING
A warning action – a short stopping of lorry transport across the entire territory of Russia is taking place, in protest at long-distance lorry drivers having to pay thousands of rubles to re-fuel their truck in one go. Their patience is running out over this. Some driver-owners have had to take out loans to cover costs, and have been unable to pay back the money they owe. The rising fuel cost is threatening to take them out of business. Drivers have being paying less for stolen diesel, at 20 rubles a litre, especially around Moscow, but that loophole is being closed off. There then awaits a social explosion.
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17 FEBRUARY – RUSSIA- MOSCOW – RUSSIAN TRADE UNION HOLD PICKET OUTSIDE MEXICAN EMBASSY IN MOSCOW
On 17th February, Russian trade unions held a picket outside the Mexican embassy in Moscow in protest against violations of workers’ rights in Mexico. The picket was held for about an hour and a letter handed into the embassy with the demands of the international trade union movement. The maximum number of people allowed to stand and show solidarity with the Mexican workers was ten. Despite the freezing minus 20 temperature, nearly twice that number of people turned up. The police on duty said that no more than 10 people at once could stand and demonstrate and insisted that demonstrators replaced one another in front of the embassy to keep the number at 10. The protestors held a banner with the words “Mexico is anti-union territory”. The level of anti-union repression in Mexico is equal to that of South Korea. In South Korea, each year trade union activists are subjected to brutal suppression and strike are suppressed by police and the army. The labour legislation violated international standards, especially regarding the question of freedom of association.
The picket was held in the framework of global days of action for trade union rights in Mexico 14- 19 February.
We recall that the IMF, ICEM, ITF and UNI are calling on affiliates to take action from February 14 until and as close as possible to the fifth anniversary of the Pasta de Chonchos tragedy on February 19.
The demands are
1:Hold employer and government officials accountable for the Pasta de Chonchos mine explosion that killed 65 miners on February 19, 2006,
2. Abolish systemic violation of workers’ freedom of association,
3. End the use of force by the state or private parties to repress workers’ legitimate demands for democratic unions, better conditions, etc,
4. End the campaign of political persecution against the Mexican Miner’s Union and Mexican Electrical Workers’ Union.
More details can be found via these links
www.icem.org/en/5-Mining-DGOPJP
www.imfmetal.org/mexico/mexico2011
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16 FEBRURY – KAZAKHSTAN - ALMATA – WORKERS ON STRIKE
Workers of company AO “Zelestroi” did not turn up for work on Wednesday and went on strike in connection with unpaid wages for the past 5 months. The director puts this down to having to pay off debts taking out for buying special equipment, but stated he is trying to obtain further money in order to pay off the 365 workers’ wage arrears next week. The workers have stated they will not return to work until all the wages have been paid up to date. Total sum owing amounts to 60 million tenge ( roughly £ 270 000)
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16 FEBRURY – UKRAINE – DONETSK TRAM DRIVERS WITHOUT PAY: THEY ARE AFRAID TO STRIKE, AS THEY WILL BE SACKED
Workers at “Donelectroavtotrans” tram depot stated they have not received any wages since November 2010. “We have been demanding our wages from management. The only thing we have got out of them is a pledge to us that whoever decides to protest and call for strike action will be sacked,” said one tram driver form route No1 Lyubov Korobova. Director of the depot Vladimir Zakharov declined to comment on the situation. Conductors get paid around 1500 UAN (Ukrainian currency) and trams drivers, around 2000- 2200 UAN. This is not the first time it has happened. In August 2010, violations in payment of wages were recorded after local labour inspectors checked the depot. At the time, the local authorities declared that the documents concerning this were handed in to the local prosecutor office, but since then, there has been no information on the case from them.
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RUSSIA – MOSCOW
STUDENTS FORCE RESIGNATION OF THE RECTOR OF MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY (MGUP)
The rector of Moscow State University (Press) (MGUP) Alexander Tsyganenko has been forced to resign from office, said one of the activists who oppose the policy of the rector, with reference to the Ministry of Education and Science.
According to Artem Khromov, activists welcomed the resignation of the rector, but they want fundamental change in university policy on students and teachers. "The main thing is that we need to carry on the fight. If someone from the administration is appointed as rector, and will insist on reform, it will not bring anything good. We have to democratize the learning process so that students and the lecturers can participate in the selection of the rector, who will restore the school, and not destroy it", - said Khromov.
For more than 1,5 years sa group of students and teachers of have been fighting MGUP for the resignation of the rector
They accused the rector of a change in the educational process, in particular, raising tuition fees, dismissal of protesting teachers and applying pressure on students. In December, an indefinite strike began, demanding the resignation of the rector – it was attended by 350 students and 30 lecturers.
15 FEB - RUSSIA – NOVOSIBIRSK
ADMINISTRATIVE TERROR AGAINST PENSIONERS AND ACTIVISTS
Since 29 December last year, when pensioners picketed the Novosibirsk city government administration building demanding the governor to cancel the decision to limit the unlimited travel on public transport to 30 rides a month on public transport, the Novosibirsk city mayor is refusing to negotiate and agree with the organizers on where to hold future pickets (and proposing that they picket not the governor but the city library – the State Public Scientific Technology Library), and law enforcement bodies after each picket will draw up a protocol of "administrative violations". There were three "unauthorized" picket -on 29 December 2010, 21 January and 4 February 2011. A notification has been made for a rally at the same place on February 21, but the mayor's office also refused to agree on allowing it. The organizers of the pickets, in turn, have taken legal action against the mayor on the grounds of his action being illegal. At this moment, awaiting trial are 7 administrative cases are and 2 civil cases of citizens.
Administrative proceedings are being instituted against the following people:
V.I. Sukharev, a pensioner, organizer of the picket on 29 December (the hearing will be held Feb. 16 in Central Court). Tel.: 256-09-16
A.V. Mikheev, pensioner, an organizer of the picket on January 21 (meeting will be held on February 17 , Magistrate Judge Central District). Tel.: 260-36-57
O.M. Mazepo, , organizer of the picket on 21 January, case moved to the Leninsky court. Tel.: 353-31-06
I.V. Lobar, the organizer of the picket on 29 December and picketer on January 21, the two cases in the Sovietsky court, 17 and 18 February ;
A.V. Denisyuk, organizer of the rally on February 4, the hearing will be held on March 4 in Central Court. Tel.: 375-09-05
L.N. Anufrieva, pensioner, an organizer of the picket on February 4, the hearing in Central Court postponed.
Tel. for inquiries: 375-09-05
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UPDATE ON PENSIONERS FIGHT FOR UNLIMITED PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Municipality Of Novosibirsk To Assist Those Who Are "Really Need" More Than 30 Free Trips On Public Transport
10 Feb - The mayor of Novosibirsk, Vladimir Gorodetsky has signed an order for social benefits to be paid out to (as earlier pledged) pensioners who need to use public transport more than 30 times a month.
More than 190 thousand people use discounted travel on public transport in Novosibirsk. The mayor ordered that from 01 January 2011 this be applied to only 66 thousand people. Under pressure from protesting pensioners, the mayor was forced to back down, by saying "the Municipality of Novosibirsk, understanding the complexity of the situation, is trying to respond to the complaints of citizens and veterans' organizations.” Hotlines have now been set up to individually ‘means test’ pensioners illegible for “targeted assistance” And again, there is a lot of form filling (similar to the DWP system in Britain).
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FEB 14 - RUSSIA – NOVOSIBIRSK- Outside the building of the Government of Novosibirsk- a series of pickets by residents of Iskitimsky district were held in protest against the persecution of a mother of a local MP by the local administration.
From 12:00 at the Administration building- a series of pickets by residents Iskitimsky district takes place against the persecution by the administration of the mother of a local MP.
On Monday, February 14, from 12-00 to 14-00 a of series of pickets around the Administration of Novosibirsk region.
January 31, 2011 Housing office "Agralesovskoe" disconnected without warning cold water to the home of disabled pensioner Vera Constantinovna Savina in the village of Berd, Iskitimsky district.
The company refers to an absence of a water contract, but the water charges have been paid to them on a regular basis since 2003 - the date of acquisition by Savina of the site with a water supply. The villagers can not get a response from management of the housing utilities department, about when water be connected the, although the contract is from February 4, 2011. As the villagers say, the many new grounds for water non-connection have been named – i.e. that "the house has not been used ", or there is a “rule” that says "you need to put a metre in the well to count the cost of water, etc etc.
In fact, the villagers suspect that the "repression" is associated with her son Constantine Savina, who was in 2010 elected to the Michurinsky village council, and regularly defends the rights of the villagers against the administration of Iskitimsky district.
Local residents, expressing solidarity with the victim, together with her go to pickets with an appeal to the governor, one after another.
In the meantime, the person with disabilities is living without water.
Person to contact: 8-913-941-0576 Vera Constantinovich Savina
http://pressagenda.com/novosibirsk/29266
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EGYPTIAN ARMY TRYS TO DISPERSE THE EGYPTIAN PROTESTERS
CAIRO, Feb. 14. Itar-Tass. The army of Egypt today called for all who are still in downtown Cairo in Tahrir Square, to stop the protest, to clear the area and return to work. Military police in the "red berets" surrounded the area, trying to squeeze out the last of the demonstrators. According to available information, these people were given half an hour to get away from Tahrir square.
Within an hour of the Supreme Council of the armed forces was to come up with another statement in which, it "warns protesters of fomenting violent actions ."
On the eve of an attempt to dislodge the protestors and the army clashed, and once again paralyzed the central square of Egypt. Military police intended to disperse the camp, but encountered fierce resistance from the protesters.
Egypt's army has warned its citizens of non-continuation of the protests. It is said in a statement released today by the Supreme Council of the armed forces of Egypt under the number "5". It provides, inter alia, states that " any unauthorized performances are now considered illegal . "
" Under present conditions to continue the demonstrations and protests will have extremely negative consequences - the army spokesman said Ismail Othman. - It will be bad for the economy, and for Egyptians . "
From AUCPB editorial board. The army of Egypt is the largest Egyptian tycoon and is not going to part with its wealth. The true owners of the army of Egypt is the United States. Under Mubarak, the army was maintained by the U.S. and has been "stuffed" with the U.S. military advisors, trainers and agents of the CIA, together with U.S. dollars
(Comment from FB-AUCPB - People were finding it quite strange if not amusing to hear people talking about the Egyptian army “being on the side of the protestors”. Is it really? We don’t seem to think so.)
14TH FEBRUARY - RUSSIA, MOSCOW - DEMONSTRATION OF SOLIDARITY: "FREEDOM TO VALENTIN URUSOV!"
In Moscow on 14 February from 19:00 to 20:00 hours on Pushkin Square, a rally of solidarity with Urusov took place
Urusov is a new type of political prisoner in Russia's recent history: a worker leader who was able to organize a trade union organization in the remote (Sahka) Yakutsk village of Udachny, and yet paid the price for this by losing his freedom. Since June 2009, the union leader, having risked conflict with the larger diamond company ALROSA, is now behind bars. (FB-comment - ALROSA was a large Soviet state owned company called “Yakutalmaz” until it was stolen from the Soviet people by pro-U.S. zionist puppet Boris Yelstin and his mafia bandits in 1992 and renamed ALROSA).
Despite the fact that the previous court's decision was overturned by the Supreme Court, Udachny court affirmed its earlier decision, and again, Urusov was sentenced to 6 years in prison. The court decision sparked strong reaction among trade unions and rights defenders. But despite the protests around the world, Urusov remains in custody.
All articles and materials on Urusov
Reference:
Urusov in 2007, created a workers' union in the diamond mining company Alrosa (Yakutia). In the first months of the organization, it in took over 1000 people. The workers demanded better working conditions and eliminate debt for unpaid overtime. August 25, 2008 they had declared a hunger strike. Aug. 27, after reaching an agreement on the establishment of a conciliation commission, the protest was suspended. The Commission began work, but on Sept. 3, 2008 Urusov was arrested by the Drug Control Squad at the front door of his house.
In Urusova home, 70 grams of drugs were "confiscated", and not by someone else, but by the head of the Mirny (Drug Control Squad) S. Rudov, and was not too lazy to travel over 600 km to get Urusov.
Urusov himself in a statement handed to a lawyer, described his arrest as a kidnapping with beatings and threats. He was forced to sign a confession or be killed: "Either die here in the woods, or sign and stay alive."
December 29, 2008 Mirninsky g.Udachnogo District Court presided by Judge Guseva Y. Urusov Valentin Yakovlevich was sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment in a penal colony and 100 000 rubles penalty according to article 228 part 2 of the Criminal Code.
May 12, 2009 Supreme Court of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), overturned the conviction of the Mirny district court with respect to trade union activist Urusov
He was released from custody at the courthouse.
But on May 26 Mirny district court again sentenced him to imprisonment. The sentence was reduced to 5 years after re-appeal.
Meanwhile, in January-March 2009, all union activists at the company Alrosa have been laid off and entered onto a" black list ".
Currently Urusov serving his sentence in a penal colony № 7 general regime of the village Tabago (Yakutia).
Source: Trade unions today
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YEMEN AND ALGERIA, EGYPT, INSPIRED BY THE EXAMPLE OF
The large Arab revolution continues to gain momentum. On the background of recent developments in Egypt have intensified riots in Yemen and Algeria (Bahrain and others). Inspired by the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, several hundred protesters gathered in the center of Sana'a and marched to the Egyptian embassy, demanding the resignation of another political longevity - Yemeni President Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power since 1978.
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh postponed his visit to the United States against the backdrop of protests taking place in his country. The visit will take place in late February. They noted that the official reason for this decision was "the situation in the region, sharply reacting to the events in Egypt.”
The last major demonstration in Yemen took place on February 4 in Al-Mukalla - the administrative center of the province of Hadramout. The rally ended with the death of four people, when police used live ammunition to disperse the crowd of protesters who called for independence of the southern part of Yemen.
"Soviet Russia" [15/02/2011]
LABOUR MOVEMENT IN RUSSIA – REPUBLICS OF EX-USSR – INTERNATIONAL
aucpbenglishwebsite.blogspot.com
18 FEBRUARY – RUSSIA- LONG DISTANCE LORRY DRIVERS’ PROTEST LOOMING
A warning action – a short stopping of lorry transport across the entire territory of Russia is taking place, in protest at long-distance lorry drivers having to pay thousands of rubles to re-fuel their truck in one go. Their patience is running out over this. Some driver-owners have had to take out loans to cover costs, and have been unable to pay back the money they owe. The rising fuel cost is threatening to take them out of business. Drivers have being paying less for stolen diesel, at 20 rubles a litre, especially around Moscow, but that loophole is being closed off. There then awaits a social explosion.
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17 FEBRUARY – RUSSIA- MOSCOW – RUSSIAN TRADE UNION HOLD PICKET OUTSIDE MEXICAN EMBASSY IN MOSCOW
On 17th February, Russian trade unions held a picket outside the Mexican embassy in Moscow in protest against violations of workers’ rights in Mexico. The picket was held for about an hour and a letter handed into the embassy with the demands of the international trade union movement. The maximum number of people allowed to stand and show solidarity with the Mexican workers was ten. Despite the freezing minus 20 temperature, nearly twice that number of people turned up. The police on duty said that no more than 10 people at once could stand and demonstrate and insisted that demonstrators replaced one another in front of the embassy to keep the number at 10. The protestors held a banner with the words “Mexico is anti-union territory”. The level of anti-union repression in Mexico is equal to that of South Korea. In South Korea, each year trade union activists are subjected to brutal suppression and strike are suppressed by police and the army. The labour legislation violated international standards, especially regarding the question of freedom of association.
The picket was held in the framework of global days of action for trade union rights in Mexico 14- 19 February.
We recall that the IMF, ICEM, ITF and UNI are calling on affiliates to take action from February 14 until and as close as possible to the fifth anniversary of the Pasta de Chonchos tragedy on February 19.
The demands are
1:Hold employer and government officials accountable for the Pasta de Chonchos mine explosion that killed 65 miners on February 19, 2006,
2. Abolish systemic violation of workers’ freedom of association,
3. End the use of force by the state or private parties to repress workers’ legitimate demands for democratic unions, better conditions, etc,
4. End the campaign of political persecution against the Mexican Miner’s Union and Mexican Electrical Workers’ Union.
More details can be found via these links
www.icem.org/en/5-Mining-DGOPJP
www.imfmetal.org/mexico/mexico2011
-----------------------------------------
16 FEBRURY – KAZAKHSTAN - ALMATA – WORKERS ON STRIKE
Workers of company AO “Zelestroi” did not turn up for work on Wednesday and went on strike in connection with unpaid wages for the past 5 months. The director puts this down to having to pay off debts taking out for buying special equipment, but stated he is trying to obtain further money in order to pay off the 365 workers’ wage arrears next week. The workers have stated they will not return to work until all the wages have been paid up to date. Total sum owing amounts to 60 million tenge ( roughly £ 270 000)
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16 FEBRURY – UKRAINE – DONETSK TRAM DRIVERS WITHOUT PAY: THEY ARE AFRAID TO STRIKE, AS THEY WILL BE SACKED
Workers at “Donelectroavtotrans” tram depot stated they have not received any wages since November 2010. “We have been demanding our wages from management. The only thing we have got out of them is a pledge to us that whoever decides to protest and call for strike action will be sacked,” said one tram driver form route No1 Lyubov Korobova. Director of the depot Vladimir Zakharov declined to comment on the situation. Conductors get paid around 1500 UAN (Ukrainian currency) and trams drivers, around 2000- 2200 UAN. This is not the first time it has happened. In August 2010, violations in payment of wages were recorded after local labour inspectors checked the depot. At the time, the local authorities declared that the documents concerning this were handed in to the local prosecutor office, but since then, there has been no information on the case from them.
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RUSSIA – MOSCOW
STUDENTS FORCE RESIGNATION OF THE RECTOR OF MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY (MGUP)
The rector of Moscow State University (Press) (MGUP) Alexander Tsyganenko has been forced to resign from office, said one of the activists who oppose the policy of the rector, with reference to the Ministry of Education and Science.
According to Artem Khromov, activists welcomed the resignation of the rector, but they want fundamental change in university policy on students and teachers. "The main thing is that we need to carry on the fight. If someone from the administration is appointed as rector, and will insist on reform, it will not bring anything good. We have to democratize the learning process so that students and the lecturers can participate in the selection of the rector, who will restore the school, and not destroy it", - said Khromov.
For more than 1,5 years sa group of students and teachers of have been fighting MGUP for the resignation of the rector
They accused the rector of a change in the educational process, in particular, raising tuition fees, dismissal of protesting teachers and applying pressure on students. In December, an indefinite strike began, demanding the resignation of the rector – it was attended by 350 students and 30 lecturers.
15 FEB - RUSSIA – NOVOSIBIRSK
ADMINISTRATIVE TERROR AGAINST PENSIONERS AND ACTIVISTS
Since 29 December last year, when pensioners picketed the Novosibirsk city government administration building demanding the governor to cancel the decision to limit the unlimited travel on public transport to 30 rides a month on public transport, the Novosibirsk city mayor is refusing to negotiate and agree with the organizers on where to hold future pickets (and proposing that they picket not the governor but the city library – the State Public Scientific Technology Library), and law enforcement bodies after each picket will draw up a protocol of "administrative violations". There were three "unauthorized" picket -on 29 December 2010, 21 January and 4 February 2011. A notification has been made for a rally at the same place on February 21, but the mayor's office also refused to agree on allowing it. The organizers of the pickets, in turn, have taken legal action against the mayor on the grounds of his action being illegal. At this moment, awaiting trial are 7 administrative cases are and 2 civil cases of citizens.
Administrative proceedings are being instituted against the following people:
V.I. Sukharev, a pensioner, organizer of the picket on 29 December (the hearing will be held Feb. 16 in Central Court). Tel.: 256-09-16
A.V. Mikheev, pensioner, an organizer of the picket on January 21 (meeting will be held on February 17 , Magistrate Judge Central District). Tel.: 260-36-57
O.M. Mazepo, , organizer of the picket on 21 January, case moved to the Leninsky court. Tel.: 353-31-06
I.V. Lobar, the organizer of the picket on 29 December and picketer on January 21, the two cases in the Sovietsky court, 17 and 18 February ;
A.V. Denisyuk, organizer of the rally on February 4, the hearing will be held on March 4 in Central Court. Tel.: 375-09-05
L.N. Anufrieva, pensioner, an organizer of the picket on February 4, the hearing in Central Court postponed.
Tel. for inquiries: 375-09-05
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UPDATE ON PENSIONERS FIGHT FOR UNLIMITED PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Municipality Of Novosibirsk To Assist Those Who Are "Really Need" More Than 30 Free Trips On Public Transport
10 Feb - The mayor of Novosibirsk, Vladimir Gorodetsky has signed an order for social benefits to be paid out to (as earlier pledged) pensioners who need to use public transport more than 30 times a month.
More than 190 thousand people use discounted travel on public transport in Novosibirsk. The mayor ordered that from 01 January 2011 this be applied to only 66 thousand people. Under pressure from protesting pensioners, the mayor was forced to back down, by saying "the Municipality of Novosibirsk, understanding the complexity of the situation, is trying to respond to the complaints of citizens and veterans' organizations.” Hotlines have now been set up to individually ‘means test’ pensioners illegible for “targeted assistance” And again, there is a lot of form filling (similar to the DWP system in Britain).
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FEB 14 - RUSSIA – NOVOSIBIRSK- Outside the building of the Government of Novosibirsk- a series of pickets by residents of Iskitimsky district were held in protest against the persecution of a mother of a local MP by the local administration.
From 12:00 at the Administration building- a series of pickets by residents Iskitimsky district takes place against the persecution by the administration of the mother of a local MP.
On Monday, February 14, from 12-00 to 14-00 a of series of pickets around the Administration of Novosibirsk region.
January 31, 2011 Housing office "Agralesovskoe" disconnected without warning cold water to the home of disabled pensioner Vera Constantinovna Savina in the village of Berd, Iskitimsky district.
The company refers to an absence of a water contract, but the water charges have been paid to them on a regular basis since 2003 - the date of acquisition by Savina of the site with a water supply. The villagers can not get a response from management of the housing utilities department, about when water be connected the, although the contract is from February 4, 2011. As the villagers say, the many new grounds for water non-connection have been named – i.e. that "the house has not been used ", or there is a “rule” that says "you need to put a metre in the well to count the cost of water, etc etc.
In fact, the villagers suspect that the "repression" is associated with her son Constantine Savina, who was in 2010 elected to the Michurinsky village council, and regularly defends the rights of the villagers against the administration of Iskitimsky district.
Local residents, expressing solidarity with the victim, together with her go to pickets with an appeal to the governor, one after another.
In the meantime, the person with disabilities is living without water.
Person to contact: 8-913-941-0576 Vera Constantinovich Savina
http://pressagenda.com/novosibirsk/29266
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EGYPTIAN ARMY TRYS TO DISPERSE THE EGYPTIAN PROTESTERS
CAIRO, Feb. 14. Itar-Tass. The army of Egypt today called for all who are still in downtown Cairo in Tahrir Square, to stop the protest, to clear the area and return to work. Military police in the "red berets" surrounded the area, trying to squeeze out the last of the demonstrators. According to available information, these people were given half an hour to get away from Tahrir square.
Within an hour of the Supreme Council of the armed forces was to come up with another statement in which, it "warns protesters of fomenting violent actions ."
On the eve of an attempt to dislodge the protestors and the army clashed, and once again paralyzed the central square of Egypt. Military police intended to disperse the camp, but encountered fierce resistance from the protesters.
Egypt's army has warned its citizens of non-continuation of the protests. It is said in a statement released today by the Supreme Council of the armed forces of Egypt under the number "5". It provides, inter alia, states that " any unauthorized performances are now considered illegal . "
" Under present conditions to continue the demonstrations and protests will have extremely negative consequences - the army spokesman said Ismail Othman. - It will be bad for the economy, and for Egyptians . "
From AUCPB editorial board. The army of Egypt is the largest Egyptian tycoon and is not going to part with its wealth. The true owners of the army of Egypt is the United States. Under Mubarak, the army was maintained by the U.S. and has been "stuffed" with the U.S. military advisors, trainers and agents of the CIA, together with U.S. dollars
(Comment from FB-AUCPB - People were finding it quite strange if not amusing to hear people talking about the Egyptian army “being on the side of the protestors”. Is it really? We don’t seem to think so.)
14TH FEBRUARY - RUSSIA, MOSCOW - DEMONSTRATION OF SOLIDARITY: "FREEDOM TO VALENTIN URUSOV!"
In Moscow on 14 February from 19:00 to 20:00 hours on Pushkin Square, a rally of solidarity with Urusov took place
Urusov is a new type of political prisoner in Russia's recent history: a worker leader who was able to organize a trade union organization in the remote (Sahka) Yakutsk village of Udachny, and yet paid the price for this by losing his freedom. Since June 2009, the union leader, having risked conflict with the larger diamond company ALROSA, is now behind bars. (FB-comment - ALROSA was a large Soviet state owned company called “Yakutalmaz” until it was stolen from the Soviet people by pro-U.S. zionist puppet Boris Yelstin and his mafia bandits in 1992 and renamed ALROSA).
Despite the fact that the previous court's decision was overturned by the Supreme Court, Udachny court affirmed its earlier decision, and again, Urusov was sentenced to 6 years in prison. The court decision sparked strong reaction among trade unions and rights defenders. But despite the protests around the world, Urusov remains in custody.
All articles and materials on Urusov
Reference:
Urusov in 2007, created a workers' union in the diamond mining company Alrosa (Yakutia). In the first months of the organization, it in took over 1000 people. The workers demanded better working conditions and eliminate debt for unpaid overtime. August 25, 2008 they had declared a hunger strike. Aug. 27, after reaching an agreement on the establishment of a conciliation commission, the protest was suspended. The Commission began work, but on Sept. 3, 2008 Urusov was arrested by the Drug Control Squad at the front door of his house.
In Urusova home, 70 grams of drugs were "confiscated", and not by someone else, but by the head of the Mirny (Drug Control Squad) S. Rudov, and was not too lazy to travel over 600 km to get Urusov.
Urusov himself in a statement handed to a lawyer, described his arrest as a kidnapping with beatings and threats. He was forced to sign a confession or be killed: "Either die here in the woods, or sign and stay alive."
December 29, 2008 Mirninsky g.Udachnogo District Court presided by Judge Guseva Y. Urusov Valentin Yakovlevich was sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment in a penal colony and 100 000 rubles penalty according to article 228 part 2 of the Criminal Code.
May 12, 2009 Supreme Court of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), overturned the conviction of the Mirny district court with respect to trade union activist Urusov
He was released from custody at the courthouse.
But on May 26 Mirny district court again sentenced him to imprisonment. The sentence was reduced to 5 years after re-appeal.
Meanwhile, in January-March 2009, all union activists at the company Alrosa have been laid off and entered onto a" black list ".
Currently Urusov serving his sentence in a penal colony № 7 general regime of the village Tabago (Yakutia).
Source: Trade unions today
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YEMEN AND ALGERIA, EGYPT, INSPIRED BY THE EXAMPLE OF
The large Arab revolution continues to gain momentum. On the background of recent developments in Egypt have intensified riots in Yemen and Algeria (Bahrain and others). Inspired by the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, several hundred protesters gathered in the center of Sana'a and marched to the Egyptian embassy, demanding the resignation of another political longevity - Yemeni President Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power since 1978.
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh postponed his visit to the United States against the backdrop of protests taking place in his country. The visit will take place in late February. They noted that the official reason for this decision was "the situation in the region, sharply reacting to the events in Egypt.”
The last major demonstration in Yemen took place on February 4 in Al-Mukalla - the administrative center of the province of Hadramout. The rally ended with the death of four people, when police used live ammunition to disperse the crowd of protesters who called for independence of the southern part of Yemen.
"Soviet Russia" [15/02/2011]
Monday, 14 February 2011
WORKER ACTIVISTS ON STREETS
WORKER ACTIVISTS ONCE AGAIN ON THE STREETS
Anti-worker practices at South Korean owned auto-parts maker Yura Corps based in Krasnoyarsk, Russia
The main reasons that prompted the workers to establish trade union cells at south Korean owned Yura Corporation RUS were - low wages, poor working conditions, neglect by management and violation of Russian labour laws.
Lawlessness by management amounts to an actual declaration of war on pregnant women.
Due to the fact that Yura corp is a manufacturer of auto-parts, workers at the company decided to join the existing Inter-regional Trade Union of Automobile Workers (MPRA). Having learned of this, the management began to intimidate employees of the plant by threatening of closure, mass layoffs, and deprivation of bonuses.
In mid-January, the administration of the company held a meeting of the workers’ collective, in order to persuade the employees to leave the MPRA. But the workers almost unanimously voted against that.
Management response to this decision was quick. The next day, they started to call in workers one by one. Some tremble and signed a statement imposed by the administration to withdraw from the union.
Reaction from the media, pressure of solidarity of workers' organizations, the intervention of the district prosecutor's office, forced the management of Yura Corporation to negotiate.
As reported by the chairman of the trade union cell at the company, Victor Makhno, on January 21, district attorney of Kingissepsky district of Leningrad region, Igor Fedorov arrived at the factory.
A meeting took place, attended by Makhno and the CEO of Yura Corporation RUS Lee On Sog. The prosecutor demanded compliance with Russian legislation, which guarantees the right of workers to form unions. This forced the representatives of Korean companies to recognize the union and to refute the rumours of moving the factory and mass layoffs.
Nevertheless, the administration has not yet responded to the key questions - what will be the order of interaction with trade unions and whether or not guarantees will be given to trade unionists about unimpeded trade union work?
MPRA representatives say that as long as the guarantees of trade union activity at Yura corporation will not be legally documented, the union would continue a campaign of solidarity with workers.
http://auroratv.ru/content/rabochie-aktivisty-snova-vykhodyat-na-ulitsy
Anti-worker practices at South Korean owned auto-parts maker Yura Corps based in Krasnoyarsk, Russia
The main reasons that prompted the workers to establish trade union cells at south Korean owned Yura Corporation RUS were - low wages, poor working conditions, neglect by management and violation of Russian labour laws.
Lawlessness by management amounts to an actual declaration of war on pregnant women.
Due to the fact that Yura corp is a manufacturer of auto-parts, workers at the company decided to join the existing Inter-regional Trade Union of Automobile Workers (MPRA). Having learned of this, the management began to intimidate employees of the plant by threatening of closure, mass layoffs, and deprivation of bonuses.
In mid-January, the administration of the company held a meeting of the workers’ collective, in order to persuade the employees to leave the MPRA. But the workers almost unanimously voted against that.
Management response to this decision was quick. The next day, they started to call in workers one by one. Some tremble and signed a statement imposed by the administration to withdraw from the union.
Reaction from the media, pressure of solidarity of workers' organizations, the intervention of the district prosecutor's office, forced the management of Yura Corporation to negotiate.
As reported by the chairman of the trade union cell at the company, Victor Makhno, on January 21, district attorney of Kingissepsky district of Leningrad region, Igor Fedorov arrived at the factory.
A meeting took place, attended by Makhno and the CEO of Yura Corporation RUS Lee On Sog. The prosecutor demanded compliance with Russian legislation, which guarantees the right of workers to form unions. This forced the representatives of Korean companies to recognize the union and to refute the rumours of moving the factory and mass layoffs.
Nevertheless, the administration has not yet responded to the key questions - what will be the order of interaction with trade unions and whether or not guarantees will be given to trade unionists about unimpeded trade union work?
MPRA representatives say that as long as the guarantees of trade union activity at Yura corporation will not be legally documented, the union would continue a campaign of solidarity with workers.
http://auroratv.ru/content/rabochie-aktivisty-snova-vykhodyat-na-ulitsy
AUCPB-CLASS STRUGGLE 14th FEB
AUCPB-CLASS STRUGGLE 14th FEB
LABOUR MOVEMENT IN RUSSIA – REPUBLICS OF EX-USSR – INTERNATIONAL
11 FEBRUARY RUSSIA – TYUREM TRANSPORT WORKERS OUT ON STRIKE
Workers gathered outside the Tyurem city administration building, to protest against low wages and working conditions. Talks have been held between the head of admin and the drivers. Pledges have been made to remedy the situation.
-------------------------------
13 FEBRUARY – RUSSIA – WORKERS AT RYAZAN MACHINE BUILDIING PLANT WITHOUT WAGES AND THREATEN STRIKE ACTION
The workers have been waiting for wages for over three months.
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13 FEBRUARY – RUSSIA - 900 ORSK RAILWAY CONDUCTORS TO BE SACKED
The situation is complex at YuUF OAO FPK “VAGONNY UCHASTOT ORSK” and made worse due to management banning the entrance of media reporters and TV onto the enterprise.
SOURCE: Orsk.ru
-------------------------
INERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY WITH THE MEXICAN MINERS (Abridged text)
The IMF, ICEM, ITF and UNI are calling on affiliates to take action from February 14 until and as close as possible to the fifth anniversary of the Pasta de Chonchos tragedy on February 19.
Join us in calling on the Mexican government to
1:Hold employer and government officials accountable for the Pasta de Chonchos mine explosion that killed 65 miners on February 19, 2006,
2. Abolish systemic violation of workers’ freedom of association,
3. End the use of force by the state or private parties to repress workers’ legitimate demands for democratic unions, better conditions, etc,
4. End the campaign of political persecution against the Mexican Miner’s Union and Mexican Electrical Workers’ Union.
We ask that you:
Demonstrate and hold meetings at the Mexican embassy or consulate of your own country, deliver letter of protest, petition to the Mexican government, meet with politicians of your own country who may be able to influence Mexican government, seek meetings with investors and clients of these Mexican companies, hold press conferences etc.
See link below to websites with details about this.
www.icem.org/en/5-Mining-DGOPJP
www.imfmetal.org/mexico/mexico2011
------------------------
12 FEBRUARY- RUSSIA – ULAN UDE BUS DRIVER THREATEN STRIKE ACTION
Strike action is being planned over potential job losses, with demands for pay rises with a threat to paralyse the entire transport network of Ulan Ude
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12 FEBRUARY- RUSSIA – MAGNITOGORSK ADMINISTRATION HAVE FOUND AN ORIGINAL METHOD OF SUPPRESSING STRIKE ACTION BY BUS DRIVERS – IT SOLD OFF THE BUSES.
Since 1 February, bus drivers at “Mag gortrans” went on Italian strike. On the 10 February, they went on full strike where from 130 to 200 employees took part. The drivers are demanding guarantees that there will be no groundless job losses. The city administration has given no firm guarantees that there will no job losses. To start with, a proposal was made to hire out the buses to break the strike, but since the start of the full strike, a decision was made to sell off 63 buses belonging to state owned company “MagGorTrans” into private hands. The buses have been driven away and the drivers left without a job. The strike is now over,
The drivers had came out against privatisation knowing that pay conditions would worsen as well as health and safety.
------------------------
10 FEBRUARY – RUSSIA – NOVOSIBIRSK, AMBULANCE STATION WORKERS HOLD PICKET
This is the second picket held by ambulance station workers in Novosibirsk over unbearable working conditions, worn equipment and low wages. Chief of station has been called upon by the workers to resign. It was organised by an independent trade union.
--------------------------------
10 FEBRUARY – UKRAINE – “ZAPORIZHSTAL” STEEL PLANT IS PREPARING TO CUT 30% OF STAFF
The management of the Zaporozhye metallurgical plant “Zaporizhstal” has decided to make a significant gradual reduction in personnel of the enterprise in 2011.
The Union at Zaporizhstal agreed with the decision to dismiss 30% of company personnel.
"Reducing staff will be conducted in stages. On March 15, notice of dismissal will be issued to 10% of workers, and that will be the first wave of cuts. Frankly, we have a mood of panic in the factory"- said the source.
In the early summer of 2010, it became known that a group of Russian investors, whose interests are represented by VEB and IK “Troika Dialog” became the majority share holder, Zaporizhstal.
Zaporizhstal – is one of the largest Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises. The number of factory workers employed by early 2010 was 19,039 people.
---------------------------------
07 FEBRUARY -RUSSIA, ST PETERSBURG- WORKERS' AT HEINEKEN HOLD PICKET AGAINST THE REPLACEMENT OF PERMANENT WORKERS BY TEMPORATY AGENCY STAFF
Despite the increased pressure on the union by the employer, on February 7, 2011, workers at the St. Petersburg Heineken brewery again picketed against the spread of temporary agency employment at the enterprise, all the more threatening the normal employment and workers' rights to association.
Since November 2009 the union has been negotiating with the administration LLC affiliate Heineken Brewery, which is part of the parent company and OOO "United Breweries Heineken, trying together with management to develop a conservation program of permanent jobs in the company.
For nearly a year, union and company management have failed to reach agreement on such crucial issues as:
• restricting the use of employees of temporary agencies;
• reduce the employment of temporary workers, and not
a reduction of permanent jobs in a state of decline in production.
On Oct. 18 employees at "Heineken" held a picket, demanding an end to the substitution of the permanent workers by temporary workers. However, the administration ignores them and continues to cut permanent jobs. During the time elapsed since the first picket, more than two dozen employees have been laid off. Therefore, the Brewers are not going to retreat.
The chairman of the primary trade union organizations of workers of "Heineken" in St. Petersburg, Vitaly Morozov:
"For two years, the company have cut more than 300 full-time jobs. Often union activists are the first to go. We do not agree with this situation and will resist the spread of precarious employment and the pressures on our members. All posts relating to production and logistics company's products must be in the hands of the state, and not given to contracting firms. "
------------------------------------------------
GREEK DOCTORS ON MASS STRIKE AGAINST HEALTH REFORMS
9th February - Clashes took place between Greek medics and police in Athens outside parliament building on the day parliamentary debate was underway over health service reforms. Tear gas was used against protestors. No serious injuries reported.
video
http://vkpb.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=568:2011-02-10-15-04-23&catid=13:2010-07-08-15-41-24&Itemid=40
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RUSSIA - Novokuznetsk TV reporters do not want to work without wages
February 7, employees at Novokuznetsk City TV, Russia, "Novo-TV" suspend work in protest against unpaid wages.
--------------------------------
05 FEBRUARY- MASS ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST IN SERBIA
A mass anti government rally took place in Belgrade. Various sources put the number taking part between 60 to 80 thousand. The rally was held in the city centre in front of parliament demanding early elections. The opposition accuse the government of causing the difficult social-economic situation in the country. One of the leaders of the Serbian Progressive Party, Alexander Buchich declared that after every hour in Serbia, another 44 people become unemployed and the state debt increases by 750 euro. At present in the country, an all out teachers strike has been underway, calling for higher wages.
The head of the Serbian Progressive Party, Tomislav Nicolic warned, that if the government will not listen to the demands for early elections, then from April the opposition would begin a sit-in protest outside parliament. Nicolic accused the ruling coalition of corruption, lies and incompetence, and called on citizens to peacefully and with dignity, make it possible to change the government and put a stop to the country’s destruction.
-----------------------
LABOUR MOVEMENT IN RUSSIA – REPUBLICS OF EX-USSR – INTERNATIONAL
11 FEBRUARY RUSSIA – TYUREM TRANSPORT WORKERS OUT ON STRIKE
Workers gathered outside the Tyurem city administration building, to protest against low wages and working conditions. Talks have been held between the head of admin and the drivers. Pledges have been made to remedy the situation.
-------------------------------
13 FEBRUARY – RUSSIA – WORKERS AT RYAZAN MACHINE BUILDIING PLANT WITHOUT WAGES AND THREATEN STRIKE ACTION
The workers have been waiting for wages for over three months.
-----------------------
13 FEBRUARY – RUSSIA - 900 ORSK RAILWAY CONDUCTORS TO BE SACKED
The situation is complex at YuUF OAO FPK “VAGONNY UCHASTOT ORSK” and made worse due to management banning the entrance of media reporters and TV onto the enterprise.
SOURCE: Orsk.ru
-------------------------
INERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY WITH THE MEXICAN MINERS (Abridged text)
The IMF, ICEM, ITF and UNI are calling on affiliates to take action from February 14 until and as close as possible to the fifth anniversary of the Pasta de Chonchos tragedy on February 19.
Join us in calling on the Mexican government to
1:Hold employer and government officials accountable for the Pasta de Chonchos mine explosion that killed 65 miners on February 19, 2006,
2. Abolish systemic violation of workers’ freedom of association,
3. End the use of force by the state or private parties to repress workers’ legitimate demands for democratic unions, better conditions, etc,
4. End the campaign of political persecution against the Mexican Miner’s Union and Mexican Electrical Workers’ Union.
We ask that you:
Demonstrate and hold meetings at the Mexican embassy or consulate of your own country, deliver letter of protest, petition to the Mexican government, meet with politicians of your own country who may be able to influence Mexican government, seek meetings with investors and clients of these Mexican companies, hold press conferences etc.
See link below to websites with details about this.
www.icem.org/en/5-Mining-DGOPJP
www.imfmetal.org/mexico/mexico2011
------------------------
12 FEBRUARY- RUSSIA – ULAN UDE BUS DRIVER THREATEN STRIKE ACTION
Strike action is being planned over potential job losses, with demands for pay rises with a threat to paralyse the entire transport network of Ulan Ude
-----------------------------
12 FEBRUARY- RUSSIA – MAGNITOGORSK ADMINISTRATION HAVE FOUND AN ORIGINAL METHOD OF SUPPRESSING STRIKE ACTION BY BUS DRIVERS – IT SOLD OFF THE BUSES.
Since 1 February, bus drivers at “Mag gortrans” went on Italian strike. On the 10 February, they went on full strike where from 130 to 200 employees took part. The drivers are demanding guarantees that there will be no groundless job losses. The city administration has given no firm guarantees that there will no job losses. To start with, a proposal was made to hire out the buses to break the strike, but since the start of the full strike, a decision was made to sell off 63 buses belonging to state owned company “MagGorTrans” into private hands. The buses have been driven away and the drivers left without a job. The strike is now over,
The drivers had came out against privatisation knowing that pay conditions would worsen as well as health and safety.
------------------------
10 FEBRUARY – RUSSIA – NOVOSIBIRSK, AMBULANCE STATION WORKERS HOLD PICKET
This is the second picket held by ambulance station workers in Novosibirsk over unbearable working conditions, worn equipment and low wages. Chief of station has been called upon by the workers to resign. It was organised by an independent trade union.
--------------------------------
10 FEBRUARY – UKRAINE – “ZAPORIZHSTAL” STEEL PLANT IS PREPARING TO CUT 30% OF STAFF
The management of the Zaporozhye metallurgical plant “Zaporizhstal” has decided to make a significant gradual reduction in personnel of the enterprise in 2011.
The Union at Zaporizhstal agreed with the decision to dismiss 30% of company personnel.
"Reducing staff will be conducted in stages. On March 15, notice of dismissal will be issued to 10% of workers, and that will be the first wave of cuts. Frankly, we have a mood of panic in the factory"- said the source.
In the early summer of 2010, it became known that a group of Russian investors, whose interests are represented by VEB and IK “Troika Dialog” became the majority share holder, Zaporizhstal.
Zaporizhstal – is one of the largest Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises. The number of factory workers employed by early 2010 was 19,039 people.
---------------------------------
07 FEBRUARY -RUSSIA, ST PETERSBURG- WORKERS' AT HEINEKEN HOLD PICKET AGAINST THE REPLACEMENT OF PERMANENT WORKERS BY TEMPORATY AGENCY STAFF
Despite the increased pressure on the union by the employer, on February 7, 2011, workers at the St. Petersburg Heineken brewery again picketed against the spread of temporary agency employment at the enterprise, all the more threatening the normal employment and workers' rights to association.
Since November 2009 the union has been negotiating with the administration LLC affiliate Heineken Brewery, which is part of the parent company and OOO "United Breweries Heineken, trying together with management to develop a conservation program of permanent jobs in the company.
For nearly a year, union and company management have failed to reach agreement on such crucial issues as:
• restricting the use of employees of temporary agencies;
• reduce the employment of temporary workers, and not
a reduction of permanent jobs in a state of decline in production.
On Oct. 18 employees at "Heineken" held a picket, demanding an end to the substitution of the permanent workers by temporary workers. However, the administration ignores them and continues to cut permanent jobs. During the time elapsed since the first picket, more than two dozen employees have been laid off. Therefore, the Brewers are not going to retreat.
The chairman of the primary trade union organizations of workers of "Heineken" in St. Petersburg, Vitaly Morozov:
"For two years, the company have cut more than 300 full-time jobs. Often union activists are the first to go. We do not agree with this situation and will resist the spread of precarious employment and the pressures on our members. All posts relating to production and logistics company's products must be in the hands of the state, and not given to contracting firms. "
------------------------------------------------
GREEK DOCTORS ON MASS STRIKE AGAINST HEALTH REFORMS
9th February - Clashes took place between Greek medics and police in Athens outside parliament building on the day parliamentary debate was underway over health service reforms. Tear gas was used against protestors. No serious injuries reported.
video
http://vkpb.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=568:2011-02-10-15-04-23&catid=13:2010-07-08-15-41-24&Itemid=40
--------------------------------
RUSSIA - Novokuznetsk TV reporters do not want to work without wages
February 7, employees at Novokuznetsk City TV, Russia, "Novo-TV" suspend work in protest against unpaid wages.
--------------------------------
05 FEBRUARY- MASS ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST IN SERBIA
A mass anti government rally took place in Belgrade. Various sources put the number taking part between 60 to 80 thousand. The rally was held in the city centre in front of parliament demanding early elections. The opposition accuse the government of causing the difficult social-economic situation in the country. One of the leaders of the Serbian Progressive Party, Alexander Buchich declared that after every hour in Serbia, another 44 people become unemployed and the state debt increases by 750 euro. At present in the country, an all out teachers strike has been underway, calling for higher wages.
The head of the Serbian Progressive Party, Tomislav Nicolic warned, that if the government will not listen to the demands for early elections, then from April the opposition would begin a sit-in protest outside parliament. Nicolic accused the ruling coalition of corruption, lies and incompetence, and called on citizens to peacefully and with dignity, make it possible to change the government and put a stop to the country’s destruction.
-----------------------
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
AUCPB CLASS STRUGGLE 08 FEB
AUCPB WORKERS MOVEMENT FROM FEB 1
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT TRADE UNION AT THE “JURA” FACTORY.
Workers of all countries, unite!
To the Chairman of the PPO LLC “Jura Corporation Rus”
Viktor Nikolaevich Makhnov and all trade union activists
Copy – to the Director-General of LLC “Jura Corporation Rus”
Mr. Lee On Sog
STATEMENT
We express our support for the actions of employees at LLC “Jura Corporation Rus”, in forming at the factory, a cell of the independent Interregional Trade Union of Auto Workers. This event serves as an example of an organization of workers and proves that the dream of the capitalists to transform hired employees into a submissive herd of animals is untenable. However, it is obvious that the management of the company can not accept the expression of the class struggle of workers and will try to destroy the union by all available means.
Agreeing with the demands of some political and labour organizations on the recognition of an independent trade union and the ending of pressure on its members, we believe it necessary to note that forcing the bourgeoisie into retreat can only be by an organized and decisive struggle of the working class.
We welcome the growth of class consciousness of the workers of Kingisepp, manifested in the creation of an MPRA cell at "Jura" and hope that the new union will be a unifying and guiding force in their struggle for liberation from exploitation, for a defence of their interests.
Today, at a rally marking the 87 th anniversary since the death of V.I. Lenin, we declare our solidarity with the struggling workers of "Jura Corporation” and support of the actions of the new trade union association in gaining a better social status as dignified working people and not a herd of animals that can be treated like dirt, as well as fighting for improved working conditions. We wish the participants of the trade union and all workers of the "Jura" factory, courage and steadfastness, fortitude and success in the struggle.
From
"Revolutionary Patriotic Union of Krasnoyarye" :
V.N. Komarov (Movement “Trudovoye Krasnoyarye"),
L.S. Kuznetsov (All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks),
E.A. Postovsky (Russian Communist Workers Party -Revolutionary Communist Party),
E.A. Fatyanova (All-Union Young Guard of Bolsheviks)
Adopted at a meeting on Janaury 21, 2011
City of Krasnoyarsk
http://vkpb-sibdv.ucoz.ru/
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PENSIONERS IN RUSSIA ONCE AGAIN PICKET NOVOSIBIRSK REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
On 4 February at 12 noon, a third picket was held outside the Novosibirsk regional administration building in further protest at the decision by the governor Yurchenko to cut unlimited access to public transport to pensioners on benefits to 30 times a month. The organiser of the event was made up of an initiative group of citizens and representatives of social organisations. More than 250 people took part in the demo.
The organisers are going to picket the building on a regular basis until their demands are met, that the governor withdraws his decision to limit access to public transport. The next picket will be held on 21 February at 12 noon at the same place. The organisers propose that significantly more people should turn up the next time, in order to force the authorities to meet the demands of the people.
AUCPB- NOVOSIBIRSK, SIBERIA, RUSSIA
photos
http://www.vkpb.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=556:-21-&catid=13:2010-07-08-15-41-24&Itemid=40
video
http://vkpb-nsk.ru/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAixEOjSL1A&feature=player_embedded
--------------------------------------------------
ORGANIZERS OF THE MEETING OF NOVOSIBIRSK PENSIONERS ARE BEING CHARGED FOR BLOCKING OF KRASNY PROSPECT.
Organizers of the pensioners’ picket which took place on January 21 in Novosibirsk, Siberia, are standing trial for violation of the sequence for carrying out public events. The same evening, police arrested on suspicion of organising the blocking of the road (Krasny Prospect) by picketers, activist Igor Lobarev, reports Тайга.инфо citing attorney Valentina Demidenko.
According to his lawyer, Lobarev was detained in the evening of January 21, for 48 hours by decision of the chief of militia dept № 1 (central police station) Novosibirsk on charges of organizing the blocking of Krasny Prospect.
We recall that on January 21, about 300 pensioners, protesting against the abolition of benefits for public transport, for a few minutes blocked one of the main streets of the city. Pensioners demanded from the regional governor Vasily Yurchenko a cancelling of his decision, which came into force on January 1 and deprives Novosibirsk pensioners of unlimited travel on public transport. Now they can ride free on public transport only 30 times a month.
Lobarev denies the accusation, asserting that he did not participate in the blocking of the road, and that it happened spontaneously. Lobarev’s lawyer said that the defendant in the police cell declared a hunger strike against his illegal, in his view, detention.
On 23 January, Lobarev told Magistrate Natalia Stupina that he had painful kidneys, with a temperature of 38.1, and asked her to call an ambulance. The judge personally called doctors, and adjourned the session. Emergency teams recorded Lobarev’s state of medium gravity (apparently in connection with the aggravation of the pyelonephritis), and recommended outpatient treatment. After the lawyer's request, Lobarev was released from arrest.
The court also considered the case of Oleg Mazep, one of the organizers of Friday's picket, who is charged with violation of the carrying out the correct sequence of public events. Unlike Lobarev, he was not detained. The judge granted the defence motion, who needed time to study the case and postponed the meeting until February 9.
Pensioner V. Antonida, who on January 21, attended the meeting of picketers with Novosibirsk Governor Vasiliy Yurchenko, said that on the evening of 22 January she was visited by police and handed over a notification to her to "meet with Colonel Muzaleva at the police department No1 for questioning, as an offender at the picket . "What kind of offender am I? At this time, I was at a meeting with Yurchenko!"- marvels the pensioner.
According to her, in a statement on the holding of the picket, she was presented as an organizer, then Vladimir Shevchenko went with her to "negotiate" with the governor, and Oleg Mazep - was authorized by the picket. In this regard, she does not understand the essence of the arrest of Lobarev, who "has no relation to the picket." "He was not an organizer. The blocking happened suddenly, it was not planned. What were the police at that time looking at?" - said the woman.
The pensioner threatened that in case of arrest, "women will organise a picket near the police station," and added that the Novosibirsk pensioners continue to seek justice, even if they have to go to the European Court of Human Rights.
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IN NOVOSIBIRSK, RUSSIA, PENSIONERS MADE ATTEMPT TO BLOCK KRASNY PROSPECT
22.01.2011 13:32
On January 21 at the Novosibirsk regional administration building, a picket was held by pensioners, organized by the Committee "Pensioners - For a dignified life." The pensioners have protested, as in December last year, against the decision of the new governor Yurchenko to limit the number of times pensioners on benefits can use public transport to 30 times a month (previously it was unlimited). The action was attended by about 500 people.
The authorities, terrified by mass protest took shocking measures to "protect public order", i.e. for their own protection. Law enforcement authorities - now the police - before the action, fenced off the administration building with steel barriers and an internal police cordon. Along Krasny Prospect - the main thoroughfare of Novosibirsk - stretched a line of police officers. Near the administration building were two police buses, and a dozen police cars. All this was undertaken in case the pensioners tried to break into the administration building (like in December of last year, when pensioners stormed the town hall) or block Krasny Prospect (like in 2005 during the "monetization" of benefits). When the pensioners during the action began to shake the steel barriers, the police immediately rushed over together with their attack dogs!
The pensioners unfurled their banners, and began chanting slogans demanding to see the governor. But, as expected, the governor did not come (back in December, he said that his decision was final, no matter what). Then, the pensioners formed a delegation of their own, and under pressure from protesters, the police was forced to allow the delegation into the administration building. As one of the delegates V.D. Shevchenko said, the governor met with them in a hall on the 5 floor and began to talk rubbish about what he was doing that was "a great and useful thing for pensioners"... The talks came to nothing.
And at this time, on the street outside, pensioners attempted to block Krasny Prospect, however, by the end of the picket there were no more than 200 people left (and more so, not all the pensioners knew that the blocking of the road had started, and so some remained where they were standing throughout the picket). The police then quickly and easily split the pensioners into two groups, when they went onto the road, then drove them off the road onto the pavement. The attempt to block the road was unsuccessful...
The organizers of the action, unfortunately, missed the moment to block the road. It should have been blocked at the start of the action, when there were at least 400 people and the people were eager to fight. In addition, the organizers of the picket (including – RCWP- (Russian Communist Workers’ Party)) were inactive, likening to the CPRF (Communist Party of the Russian Federation) (which also carried out an “action”, (a public meeting) but on 22 January instead, and the result being predictable - the CPRF places its hopes on the prosecutor, who protested the decision of the Governor), with its "standing" and “rattling air”, instead of taking the most courageous and decisive action to radicalize the movement. Yet at the end of one of the organizers decided to act, but it was too late, as it lacked agreement and organization.
Grigory Pavlev,
AUCPB -Novosibirsk
PHOTOS
http://www.vkpb.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=492:2011-01-22-10-35-27&catid=13:2010-07-08-15-41-24&Itemid=40
---------------------------------
COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION (CPRF) MEETING ON 22 JANUARY. SO WE ARE JUST GOING TO RATTLE AIR AND NOTHING MORE?
On January 22 a public meeting was held against the imposition of travel restrictions for those people on social benefits. It was organized by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF – its leader, Zyuganov). At the meeting, according to its organizers, five thousand people had gathered. The AUCPB and Trudovaya Rossiya came to support the pensioners, distributing among them the Communist newspapers ("Hammer and Sickle", "Workers 'and Peasants' Truth", "Molniya").
The CPRF, as events show, leads the masses away from decisive action, it comes down to "standing on the street" and "rattling air." According to one Comsomol, one of the militia men (now they are called police ) dropped words, saying that "these (i.e. the CPRF) are nothing to be afraid of. Be afraid of those who organized the rally yesterday", He was referring to what took place on January 21 outside the regional government, and the failed – (because of the spontaneity of the protest the lack of will and determination of the organizers) - attempt at blocking the main thoroughfare of the city.
The Bolsheviks at the meeting raised awareness among pensioners, explaining to them that the way which is being put forward by the CPRF, will not result in the authorities meeting their demands. One of the pensioners in conversation, expressed, as we believe, the mood of most of the pensioners, saying that "we need to wait a week to see how the government responds to our actions, and if nothing changes, then gather the people and block Krasny Prospect".
The people are ready for the most courageous and decisive direct action. Whether or not the Novosibirsk Communists (not the CPRF) use this favorable moment to organize the people on a class struggle basis or miss the moment - time will tell.
Press office of the Novosibirsk Organisation of the AUCPB
http://vkpb-nsk.ru/
PHTOS
-----------------------------------------
IN THE CENTRE OF DONETSK, UKRAINE – MASS STRIKE ACTION BY MINERS
Early February miners at the “Trudovskaya” mine went on strike outside the buildings of the Ministry of Coal Industry and the “Donetsk Coal Energy Company” in Donetsk. Later, the miners plan to picket the Donetsk Regional State Administration building as well the local council building.
Head of “Trudovskaya” trade union, Vitaly Kuzmenko said that the miners were forced to take such action because of the catastrophic state of the mine and the non-fulfillment of social-economic guarantees.
The coal mine is in such a state, it is threatened with complete closure. Management has known about the state of the mine for a long time but done nothing to rectify the situation.
There is only enough coal reserves on the surface to last a maximum of 3 – 4 months. The machinery is in a bad state of repair. If it continues like this, there won’t be any work in by June, which will lead to unpaid work then mass layoffs.
--------------------------------------------
AT PRIMORYE – A PLANNED LAYOFF OF 20 WORKERS AT THE “ZVEZDA” PLANT UNDERWAY
At the Russian Far East “Zvezda” plant, layoffs are being planned. The total number of workers at the plant, which deals with the repair and maintenance of nuclear submarines is approximately 3500.
Lack of work is the reason being used by the plant’s new management for the gradual layoff of up to 200 workers, since according to them, there have been no defence orders. Workers plan to take to the streets in May over this issue, which may include pickets, demos and strike action.
VladNews
TKIBULSKY MINERS HAVE ENDED THEIR STRIKE
Tkibulsky miners have ended their strike and returned to work. On 3 February, agreement was reached between the management and trade unions over demands made. The demands will be fulfilled in stages. Demands agreed upon include, a pay rise (currently 139 -167 US dollars per month) by a minimum of 20% beginning March 1 this year.
Agreement has been achieved on health and safety issues at the mine.
Strike action began on February 2 after the mine owner, “Gruzugol” refused to bow the workers’ demands which were made at a general meeting of the miners and the trade union. On 31 January, the miners took preliminary strike action, and full strike action on the 2 February.
----------------------------------
GREECE- PUBLIC TRANSPORT WORKERS END TWO DAY STRIKE
Increased activity under way by class forces, preparing for another general strike across Greece on 23 February organized by PAME.
Class forces, PAME, PASEVE, PASI, MAS, OGE have called on people to politicize the struggle and condemn the social-democratic government (PASOK, EU, IMF) for unleashing a war against the people.
---------------------------------------------
COPENHAGEN, 4 FEBRUARY, mass strike action by Denmark’s transport sector over pension retirement age being raised to 67 years old and also over reduction in period unemployed can receive unemployment benefit including having to foot the bill for extra training.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
03 FEB 11
DIRECTOR OF KRASNOYARSK HEAVY MACHINE BUILDING FACTORY “SIBTYAZHMASH” HAS ORDERED 1.7 THOUSAND OF ITS WORKERS TO TAKE COMPULSORY LEAVE UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY 2011
The reason – energy supplies to the factory were shut off due to debts amounting to 42 million roubles (roughly 1.5 million US dollars). Director of the plant blames bad turnover, and insufficient orders for products, frozen deals, and non-collection of products by customers which bring in only small advance payments. During the state program of support in 2009 – 2010, the factory received more than 100 million roubles from the regional budget. Energy companies and the factory failed to reach a compromise on supply of energy to the factory due to bad debt.
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03 FEB 11
“KRASTYAZHMASH” FACTORY HAS SHUT DOWN
“Krastyazhmash” factory in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia, Russia, has shut down indefinitely. This was reported by the Trade Union Federation of Krasnoyarsk region. Production has stagnated to halt. The factory has had a history of difficulties, liquidation and bankruptcies. Throughout this period there has been nothing but growing wage arrears and debts to employees amounting to roughly 13 million roubles (almost half a million US dollars).
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FACTORY WORKERS ON STRIKE IN YUZHNOURALSK
23.01.2011 15:42
Factory workers of concrete products factory in Yuzhnouralsk (Chelyabinsk region) went on strike. They have been over three months without pay. "In December we were given by the director a thousand rubles. And what can you do with this thousand? There are no salaries, all those who have not yet retired from the plant, can attest. For a few months we were fed "breakfast", but we are fed up with them already. Managements keep saying to us - tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow you’ll get your wages. Wait, be patient", - explains factory worker Alexander Nikitin.
"I rent an apartment, and paid nothing for it for two months. There's no money. After all, I will be evicted, and where I'm going with the baby? "- explained factory worker Tatiana Rechetov.
The delay and failure to pay wages is the bane of this enterprise. Workers have sent their complaints to the city administration and wrote a letter to the regional governor Mikhail Yurevich. For an explanation of their rights, they have been to the prosecutor too. All this time, people perform their duties conscientiously. Every day, we get to work.”
" The situation is this: if one quits the job, then we did not get the money at all, our pay – is a thousand. We, on "white" salary will be closed and be kicked out, and on "black" we will have five, "- said factory worker Anatoly Semin.
Salaries in envelopes are received over the past year - with such a situation the workers also did not agree. Some are retiring in only a few years and will lose a substantial part of contributions and is simply a pity. During the crisis, the company has repeatedly changed its management.
According to the new plant manager Georgi Malashkin, recently an investor came to the factory - the company "Mega", which intends to keep the factory. Using its own funds the new owner paid outstanding wages from September.
"We came, we had wage arrears since September. We did pay it off until November, and continue to reduce the arrears further. We have a major investment project on development of the enterprise, and we made a plan, under which we can extinguish wage arrears. And, quite successfully, "- said plant manager Gregory Malashkin.
Also, according to the plant manager, management preserved its customers and paid up fully those employees who left the company.
As the strikers explain, many of them now can not pay their rent, or pay back for the loans to pay for their children’s school meals. Recently, staff at the plant were offered to take products products in place of their salary, i.e. pickled cucumbers, tomatoes, juices, canned food.
Management of the factory plans to repay the money to the workers. However, whenever the question is of when – there is never an answer.
http://www.1obl.ru/yandex/news/society/2011/01/20/rabotniki
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT TRADE UNION AT THE “JURA” FACTORY.
Workers of all countries, unite!
To the Chairman of the PPO LLC “Jura Corporation Rus”
Viktor Nikolaevich Makhnov and all trade union activists
Copy – to the Director-General of LLC “Jura Corporation Rus”
Mr. Lee On Sog
STATEMENT
We express our support for the actions of employees at LLC “Jura Corporation Rus”, in forming at the factory, a cell of the independent Interregional Trade Union of Auto Workers. This event serves as an example of an organization of workers and proves that the dream of the capitalists to transform hired employees into a submissive herd of animals is untenable. However, it is obvious that the management of the company can not accept the expression of the class struggle of workers and will try to destroy the union by all available means.
Agreeing with the demands of some political and labour organizations on the recognition of an independent trade union and the ending of pressure on its members, we believe it necessary to note that forcing the bourgeoisie into retreat can only be by an organized and decisive struggle of the working class.
We welcome the growth of class consciousness of the workers of Kingisepp, manifested in the creation of an MPRA cell at "Jura" and hope that the new union will be a unifying and guiding force in their struggle for liberation from exploitation, for a defence of their interests.
Today, at a rally marking the 87 th anniversary since the death of V.I. Lenin, we declare our solidarity with the struggling workers of "Jura Corporation” and support of the actions of the new trade union association in gaining a better social status as dignified working people and not a herd of animals that can be treated like dirt, as well as fighting for improved working conditions. We wish the participants of the trade union and all workers of the "Jura" factory, courage and steadfastness, fortitude and success in the struggle.
From
"Revolutionary Patriotic Union of Krasnoyarye" :
V.N. Komarov (Movement “Trudovoye Krasnoyarye"),
L.S. Kuznetsov (All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks),
E.A. Postovsky (Russian Communist Workers Party -Revolutionary Communist Party),
E.A. Fatyanova (All-Union Young Guard of Bolsheviks)
Adopted at a meeting on Janaury 21, 2011
City of Krasnoyarsk
http://vkpb-sibdv.ucoz.ru/
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PENSIONERS IN RUSSIA ONCE AGAIN PICKET NOVOSIBIRSK REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
On 4 February at 12 noon, a third picket was held outside the Novosibirsk regional administration building in further protest at the decision by the governor Yurchenko to cut unlimited access to public transport to pensioners on benefits to 30 times a month. The organiser of the event was made up of an initiative group of citizens and representatives of social organisations. More than 250 people took part in the demo.
The organisers are going to picket the building on a regular basis until their demands are met, that the governor withdraws his decision to limit access to public transport. The next picket will be held on 21 February at 12 noon at the same place. The organisers propose that significantly more people should turn up the next time, in order to force the authorities to meet the demands of the people.
AUCPB- NOVOSIBIRSK, SIBERIA, RUSSIA
photos
http://www.vkpb.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=556:-21-&catid=13:2010-07-08-15-41-24&Itemid=40
video
http://vkpb-nsk.ru/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAixEOjSL1A&feature=player_embedded
--------------------------------------------------
ORGANIZERS OF THE MEETING OF NOVOSIBIRSK PENSIONERS ARE BEING CHARGED FOR BLOCKING OF KRASNY PROSPECT.
Organizers of the pensioners’ picket which took place on January 21 in Novosibirsk, Siberia, are standing trial for violation of the sequence for carrying out public events. The same evening, police arrested on suspicion of organising the blocking of the road (Krasny Prospect) by picketers, activist Igor Lobarev, reports Тайга.инфо citing attorney Valentina Demidenko.
According to his lawyer, Lobarev was detained in the evening of January 21, for 48 hours by decision of the chief of militia dept № 1 (central police station) Novosibirsk on charges of organizing the blocking of Krasny Prospect.
We recall that on January 21, about 300 pensioners, protesting against the abolition of benefits for public transport, for a few minutes blocked one of the main streets of the city. Pensioners demanded from the regional governor Vasily Yurchenko a cancelling of his decision, which came into force on January 1 and deprives Novosibirsk pensioners of unlimited travel on public transport. Now they can ride free on public transport only 30 times a month.
Lobarev denies the accusation, asserting that he did not participate in the blocking of the road, and that it happened spontaneously. Lobarev’s lawyer said that the defendant in the police cell declared a hunger strike against his illegal, in his view, detention.
On 23 January, Lobarev told Magistrate Natalia Stupina that he had painful kidneys, with a temperature of 38.1, and asked her to call an ambulance. The judge personally called doctors, and adjourned the session. Emergency teams recorded Lobarev’s state of medium gravity (apparently in connection with the aggravation of the pyelonephritis), and recommended outpatient treatment. After the lawyer's request, Lobarev was released from arrest.
The court also considered the case of Oleg Mazep, one of the organizers of Friday's picket, who is charged with violation of the carrying out the correct sequence of public events. Unlike Lobarev, he was not detained. The judge granted the defence motion, who needed time to study the case and postponed the meeting until February 9.
Pensioner V. Antonida, who on January 21, attended the meeting of picketers with Novosibirsk Governor Vasiliy Yurchenko, said that on the evening of 22 January she was visited by police and handed over a notification to her to "meet with Colonel Muzaleva at the police department No1 for questioning, as an offender at the picket . "What kind of offender am I? At this time, I was at a meeting with Yurchenko!"- marvels the pensioner.
According to her, in a statement on the holding of the picket, she was presented as an organizer, then Vladimir Shevchenko went with her to "negotiate" with the governor, and Oleg Mazep - was authorized by the picket. In this regard, she does not understand the essence of the arrest of Lobarev, who "has no relation to the picket." "He was not an organizer. The blocking happened suddenly, it was not planned. What were the police at that time looking at?" - said the woman.
The pensioner threatened that in case of arrest, "women will organise a picket near the police station," and added that the Novosibirsk pensioners continue to seek justice, even if they have to go to the European Court of Human Rights.
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IN NOVOSIBIRSK, RUSSIA, PENSIONERS MADE ATTEMPT TO BLOCK KRASNY PROSPECT
22.01.2011 13:32
On January 21 at the Novosibirsk regional administration building, a picket was held by pensioners, organized by the Committee "Pensioners - For a dignified life." The pensioners have protested, as in December last year, against the decision of the new governor Yurchenko to limit the number of times pensioners on benefits can use public transport to 30 times a month (previously it was unlimited). The action was attended by about 500 people.
The authorities, terrified by mass protest took shocking measures to "protect public order", i.e. for their own protection. Law enforcement authorities - now the police - before the action, fenced off the administration building with steel barriers and an internal police cordon. Along Krasny Prospect - the main thoroughfare of Novosibirsk - stretched a line of police officers. Near the administration building were two police buses, and a dozen police cars. All this was undertaken in case the pensioners tried to break into the administration building (like in December of last year, when pensioners stormed the town hall) or block Krasny Prospect (like in 2005 during the "monetization" of benefits). When the pensioners during the action began to shake the steel barriers, the police immediately rushed over together with their attack dogs!
The pensioners unfurled their banners, and began chanting slogans demanding to see the governor. But, as expected, the governor did not come (back in December, he said that his decision was final, no matter what). Then, the pensioners formed a delegation of their own, and under pressure from protesters, the police was forced to allow the delegation into the administration building. As one of the delegates V.D. Shevchenko said, the governor met with them in a hall on the 5 floor and began to talk rubbish about what he was doing that was "a great and useful thing for pensioners"... The talks came to nothing.
And at this time, on the street outside, pensioners attempted to block Krasny Prospect, however, by the end of the picket there were no more than 200 people left (and more so, not all the pensioners knew that the blocking of the road had started, and so some remained where they were standing throughout the picket). The police then quickly and easily split the pensioners into two groups, when they went onto the road, then drove them off the road onto the pavement. The attempt to block the road was unsuccessful...
The organizers of the action, unfortunately, missed the moment to block the road. It should have been blocked at the start of the action, when there were at least 400 people and the people were eager to fight. In addition, the organizers of the picket (including – RCWP- (Russian Communist Workers’ Party)) were inactive, likening to the CPRF (Communist Party of the Russian Federation) (which also carried out an “action”, (a public meeting) but on 22 January instead, and the result being predictable - the CPRF places its hopes on the prosecutor, who protested the decision of the Governor), with its "standing" and “rattling air”, instead of taking the most courageous and decisive action to radicalize the movement. Yet at the end of one of the organizers decided to act, but it was too late, as it lacked agreement and organization.
Grigory Pavlev,
AUCPB -Novosibirsk
PHOTOS
http://www.vkpb.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=492:2011-01-22-10-35-27&catid=13:2010-07-08-15-41-24&Itemid=40
---------------------------------
COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION (CPRF) MEETING ON 22 JANUARY. SO WE ARE JUST GOING TO RATTLE AIR AND NOTHING MORE?
On January 22 a public meeting was held against the imposition of travel restrictions for those people on social benefits. It was organized by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF – its leader, Zyuganov). At the meeting, according to its organizers, five thousand people had gathered. The AUCPB and Trudovaya Rossiya came to support the pensioners, distributing among them the Communist newspapers ("Hammer and Sickle", "Workers 'and Peasants' Truth", "Molniya").
The CPRF, as events show, leads the masses away from decisive action, it comes down to "standing on the street" and "rattling air." According to one Comsomol, one of the militia men (now they are called police ) dropped words, saying that "these (i.e. the CPRF) are nothing to be afraid of. Be afraid of those who organized the rally yesterday", He was referring to what took place on January 21 outside the regional government, and the failed – (because of the spontaneity of the protest the lack of will and determination of the organizers) - attempt at blocking the main thoroughfare of the city.
The Bolsheviks at the meeting raised awareness among pensioners, explaining to them that the way which is being put forward by the CPRF, will not result in the authorities meeting their demands. One of the pensioners in conversation, expressed, as we believe, the mood of most of the pensioners, saying that "we need to wait a week to see how the government responds to our actions, and if nothing changes, then gather the people and block Krasny Prospect".
The people are ready for the most courageous and decisive direct action. Whether or not the Novosibirsk Communists (not the CPRF) use this favorable moment to organize the people on a class struggle basis or miss the moment - time will tell.
Press office of the Novosibirsk Organisation of the AUCPB
http://vkpb-nsk.ru/
PHTOS
-----------------------------------------
IN THE CENTRE OF DONETSK, UKRAINE – MASS STRIKE ACTION BY MINERS
Early February miners at the “Trudovskaya” mine went on strike outside the buildings of the Ministry of Coal Industry and the “Donetsk Coal Energy Company” in Donetsk. Later, the miners plan to picket the Donetsk Regional State Administration building as well the local council building.
Head of “Trudovskaya” trade union, Vitaly Kuzmenko said that the miners were forced to take such action because of the catastrophic state of the mine and the non-fulfillment of social-economic guarantees.
The coal mine is in such a state, it is threatened with complete closure. Management has known about the state of the mine for a long time but done nothing to rectify the situation.
There is only enough coal reserves on the surface to last a maximum of 3 – 4 months. The machinery is in a bad state of repair. If it continues like this, there won’t be any work in by June, which will lead to unpaid work then mass layoffs.
--------------------------------------------
AT PRIMORYE – A PLANNED LAYOFF OF 20 WORKERS AT THE “ZVEZDA” PLANT UNDERWAY
At the Russian Far East “Zvezda” plant, layoffs are being planned. The total number of workers at the plant, which deals with the repair and maintenance of nuclear submarines is approximately 3500.
Lack of work is the reason being used by the plant’s new management for the gradual layoff of up to 200 workers, since according to them, there have been no defence orders. Workers plan to take to the streets in May over this issue, which may include pickets, demos and strike action.
VladNews
TKIBULSKY MINERS HAVE ENDED THEIR STRIKE
Tkibulsky miners have ended their strike and returned to work. On 3 February, agreement was reached between the management and trade unions over demands made. The demands will be fulfilled in stages. Demands agreed upon include, a pay rise (currently 139 -167 US dollars per month) by a minimum of 20% beginning March 1 this year.
Agreement has been achieved on health and safety issues at the mine.
Strike action began on February 2 after the mine owner, “Gruzugol” refused to bow the workers’ demands which were made at a general meeting of the miners and the trade union. On 31 January, the miners took preliminary strike action, and full strike action on the 2 February.
----------------------------------
GREECE- PUBLIC TRANSPORT WORKERS END TWO DAY STRIKE
Increased activity under way by class forces, preparing for another general strike across Greece on 23 February organized by PAME.
Class forces, PAME, PASEVE, PASI, MAS, OGE have called on people to politicize the struggle and condemn the social-democratic government (PASOK, EU, IMF) for unleashing a war against the people.
---------------------------------------------
COPENHAGEN, 4 FEBRUARY, mass strike action by Denmark’s transport sector over pension retirement age being raised to 67 years old and also over reduction in period unemployed can receive unemployment benefit including having to foot the bill for extra training.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
03 FEB 11
DIRECTOR OF KRASNOYARSK HEAVY MACHINE BUILDING FACTORY “SIBTYAZHMASH” HAS ORDERED 1.7 THOUSAND OF ITS WORKERS TO TAKE COMPULSORY LEAVE UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY 2011
The reason – energy supplies to the factory were shut off due to debts amounting to 42 million roubles (roughly 1.5 million US dollars). Director of the plant blames bad turnover, and insufficient orders for products, frozen deals, and non-collection of products by customers which bring in only small advance payments. During the state program of support in 2009 – 2010, the factory received more than 100 million roubles from the regional budget. Energy companies and the factory failed to reach a compromise on supply of energy to the factory due to bad debt.
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03 FEB 11
“KRASTYAZHMASH” FACTORY HAS SHUT DOWN
“Krastyazhmash” factory in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia, Russia, has shut down indefinitely. This was reported by the Trade Union Federation of Krasnoyarsk region. Production has stagnated to halt. The factory has had a history of difficulties, liquidation and bankruptcies. Throughout this period there has been nothing but growing wage arrears and debts to employees amounting to roughly 13 million roubles (almost half a million US dollars).
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FACTORY WORKERS ON STRIKE IN YUZHNOURALSK
23.01.2011 15:42
Factory workers of concrete products factory in Yuzhnouralsk (Chelyabinsk region) went on strike. They have been over three months without pay. "In December we were given by the director a thousand rubles. And what can you do with this thousand? There are no salaries, all those who have not yet retired from the plant, can attest. For a few months we were fed "breakfast", but we are fed up with them already. Managements keep saying to us - tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow you’ll get your wages. Wait, be patient", - explains factory worker Alexander Nikitin.
"I rent an apartment, and paid nothing for it for two months. There's no money. After all, I will be evicted, and where I'm going with the baby? "- explained factory worker Tatiana Rechetov.
The delay and failure to pay wages is the bane of this enterprise. Workers have sent their complaints to the city administration and wrote a letter to the regional governor Mikhail Yurevich. For an explanation of their rights, they have been to the prosecutor too. All this time, people perform their duties conscientiously. Every day, we get to work.”
" The situation is this: if one quits the job, then we did not get the money at all, our pay – is a thousand. We, on "white" salary will be closed and be kicked out, and on "black" we will have five, "- said factory worker Anatoly Semin.
Salaries in envelopes are received over the past year - with such a situation the workers also did not agree. Some are retiring in only a few years and will lose a substantial part of contributions and is simply a pity. During the crisis, the company has repeatedly changed its management.
According to the new plant manager Georgi Malashkin, recently an investor came to the factory - the company "Mega", which intends to keep the factory. Using its own funds the new owner paid outstanding wages from September.
"We came, we had wage arrears since September. We did pay it off until November, and continue to reduce the arrears further. We have a major investment project on development of the enterprise, and we made a plan, under which we can extinguish wage arrears. And, quite successfully, "- said plant manager Gregory Malashkin.
Also, according to the plant manager, management preserved its customers and paid up fully those employees who left the company.
As the strikers explain, many of them now can not pay their rent, or pay back for the loans to pay for their children’s school meals. Recently, staff at the plant were offered to take products products in place of their salary, i.e. pickled cucumbers, tomatoes, juices, canned food.
Management of the factory plans to repay the money to the workers. However, whenever the question is of when – there is never an answer.
http://www.1obl.ru/yandex/news/society/2011/01/20/rabotniki
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