From: SIUHIN@aol.com
Date: Wed Jun 12 2002 - 04:53:03 EDT
UPDATE on International Day of Action Against Tainan!
(contractor for Food Locker clothing store)
Date: 6/11/2002 2:33:05 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: <A HREF="mailto:labor-alerts@afgj.org">labor-alerts@afgj.org</A>
Labor Alerts (12,000 subscribers), a free service of:
Campaign for Labor Rights
Trim Bissell, National Co-Coordinator
Daisy Pitkin, Co-Coordinator, <clrdc@afgj.org>
Phone: 202-544-9355
Web: <www.summersault.com/~agj/clr>
To subscribe/unsubscribe, email <CLR@afgj.org>
<><><><><>
CLR Labor Alert posted June 11, 2002
In this Alert:
1. UPDATE--International Day of Action on Footlocker!
2. Action Tally -- Look for action plans in your
community.
3. Target for June 13 Day of Action Shifts to Foot Locker
Due to Ann Taylor Response to Campaign Demands. 4. Union
Busting is Disgusting! 5. Background in Tainan Campaign
<><><><><>
URGENT UPDATE: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION ON TAINAN
CHANGES FOCUS FROM ANN TAYLOR TO FOOTLOCKER.
Participate in International Day of Action June 13th on
Foot Locker!
In response to the inaction of Tainan Enterprises in the
face of the demand to reopen the factory in El Salvador
and respect the right of the union there, STIT, to
negotiate a collective bargaining agreement, STIT is
calling for an international day of action against Tainan
Enterprises on June 13th (June 12th for Taiwan).
Activists in Taiwan will protest at Tainan Enterprises
headquarters in Taipei. STIT in El Salvador plans to
protest the Embassy of Taiwan and the office of Tainan
Enterprises in El Salvador. And you can participate by
organizing an action at the Foot Locker store nearest you!
(NOTE: Many of you had received an alert asking for
actions against Ann Taylor. The company?s recent response
to campaign demands has shifted the target for the day of
action to Foot Locker. Ann Taylor?s response is the result
of efforts of local activists seeking a meeting with
company representatives about supporting worker rights and
is testimony to the strength of the anti-sweatshop
movement!)
Take Action!
1) Go to the ?store locator? on the Foot Locker website
<http://www.footlocker.com/> to find the Foot Locker, Kids
Foot Locker, or Lady Foot Locker nearest you. Then
contact us for an action packet. Also, we may be able to
help turn people out to your local action - if you are
planning an action, send us the details so we can contact
other activists in your area.
2) Contact Campaign for Labor Rights, CLR@afgj.org,
202-544-9355, or go to the US/LEAP website
<www.usleap.org> to get an action packet (available
Monday, June 10th) that includes:
~ Leaflet samples to download and use
~ Talking points for store managers
~ Up-to-date reports of the STIT fight in El Salvador and
the international campaign
3) If you don't have a Foot Locker store in your area,
circulate a sign-on letter in your community and fax to
the Foot Locker headquarters in New York City on the 13th.
Fax letters to 212-720-4397, or email Foot Locker
Customer Service at: customer_service@footlocker.com, or
call their toll-free customer service line at:
1-800-991-6815.
IMPORTANT: Please let us know if you plan to participate
in this day of action in any way so that we can asses our
collective efforts and let you, the union, and others
around the world know how big the day of action was!
Email us at: CLR@afgj.org.
<><><><><>
ACTION TALLY
Actions are planned in the following cities. Contact us
if you live in one of these areas and would like to be put
in touch with the action point person in your community.
Tucson, AZ
Sacramento, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Washington, DC
Atlanta, GA
Chicago, IL
Springfield, IL (possible)
South Bend, IN
Springfield, MA (possible)
Saginaw, MI (possible)
St. Paul, MN
Las Cruces, NM
New York, NY
North Babylon, NY (possible)
Eugene, OR
Medford/Ashland, OR
Portland, OR
Philadelphia, PA (possible)
Jackson, TN
Salt Lake City, UT (possible)
<><><><><>
TARGET FOR JUNE 13TH DAY OF ACTION SHIFTS TO FOOTLOCKER
DUE TO ANN TAYLOR RESPONSE TO CAMPAIGN DEMANDS
Ann Taylor is the fifth customer of Tainan Enterprises to
respond to delegations of activists from across the United
States who are visiting the headquarters of Tainan
Enterprises customers about the union-busting factory
closing in El Salvador on April 26th. The delegations
have asked these retailers to write to Tainan Enterprises
and urge the company to resume operations in El Salvador
and negotiate with the union in consideration of respect
for worker rights. The other companies who have sent
letters to Tainan Enterprises are Columbia Sportswear, the
Gap, Kellwood Company (a vendor), and Philips-Van Heusen.
Ann Taylor wrote a letter to Tainan Enterprises on June
3rd (just a day before the announcement of the
International Day of Action against Ann
Taylor) and asked the company for information about the
suspicious closing. The letter also notes that the closing
of a factory as an anti-union measure and would be a
violation of their Principles and Guidelines. ?We value
our business relationships and it is Ann Taylor?s policy
to work with our suppliers, however, we will not tolerate
noncompliance with our Principles and Guidelines,? states
the letter.
Tainan Enterprises customers that have not yet responded
include Federated Department Stores (which owns Macy?s
Department Stores), May Department Stores, and Foot
Locker. Of these, Foot Locker is the strategic choice for
a target of the International Day of Action to support the
Tainan workers in El Salvador.
<><><><><>
UNION BUSTING IS DISGUSTING
Tainan Enterprises is a Taiwanese-based company that
closed its factory in El Salvador at the end of April just
as the union there submitted its
application for legal bargaining rights for a contract.
Tainan Enterprises
has factories in Cambodia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and China
that are running at full capacity, yet Tainan Enterprises
says it doesn?t have any orders for its factory in El
Salvador and must close the factory down.
The announcement of closure came after the workers had
gained legal recognition for the union, Sindicato de
Trabajadores de la Industria Textiles (STIT, or the
Industrial Union of Textile Workers), and had launched an
organizing campaign for the right to demand a contract
(which requires that over 50% of the workforce are signed
up for the union). Since workers had expressed interest
in forming a union at the Tainan factory, the company has
engaged in anti-union activities such as firings,
suspensions, and harassment.
The fight continues to stop the union-busting closure of
the Tainan Enterprises factory in El Salvador, despite the
cessation of production at the plant at the end of April.
Action for worker rights in El Salvador, the U.S., and
Taiwan have kept Tainan Enterprises from being able to
completely dissolve itself in El Salvador, which means
there is a greater chance that the factory may reopen.
<><><><><>
BACKGROUND ON TAINAN CAMPAIGN
Provided by Centro de Estudios y Apoyo Laboral - CEAL
(Center of Labour Studies and Support in El Salvador),
translated by US/LEAP
Chronology of events:
1. During the earthquakes in January and February 2001,
Tainan forces its
workers to continue working disregarding the national
emergency. Two of the union leaders speak on behalf of
other union members and direct these concerns to Tainan.
For this reason, both leaders are suspended on February
26, 2001. Their names are Joaquin Alas Salguero and Ruben
Ulises Orellana.
2. Both leaders become affiliated with the union, STIT,
and shortly after
directing their allegations to the regional
representatives of Gap, an agreement is reached on March
19, 2001. Tainan legally recognizes both leaders as their
employees, although the plant pays their salaries at the
entrance and does not allow them to return to work.
3. Although faced with great difficulty and with diverse
and covert
anti-union actions, an affiliation campaign takes place
with STIT inside Tainan,
4. During the visit of President Chen Shui-Bian of Taiwan,
on May 23, 2001,
a division of STIT is organized inside Tainan. The union
members direct letters to both the President and his
ambassador in El Salvador.
5. In July, 2001 STIT obtains legal status as a union from
the Labor
Ministry.
6. Beginning August 7, 2001 strong action takes place
insofar as to
re-admittance of both union members/leaders Joaquin and
Ruben. On August 26, 2001 STIT organizes its first strike
based on the threat of 60 suspensions, most of which are
union members.
7. On October 17, 2001 the first worker suspensions take
place of whom the
majority are union members. Legal actions and protests
take place by STIT, which consequently are suspended on
October 30, 2001.
8. On November 30, 2001 as a result of the threat of a
major campaign
against GAP and interventions with the El Salvadorian
government by AFL-CIO, US/LEAP, FITTVC and other
organizations, Tainan signs an accord with STIT as to
readmit the two union leaders. Both leader return to
Tainan on December 10 and new agreements are reached
allowing for a better dialogue between the workers and
Tainan.
9. Shortly after peaceful negotiations, however, new
claims of more staff
suspensions and firings take place. This is due in part
to the Labor Ministry incompetence in complying with the
previous allegations on October 2001. STIT begins direct
actions inside Tainan on March 6, at the same time that a
series of demands take place at the national and
international level. Later in the month, the union
launches an effort to sign up workers in order to reach
the numbers needed to demand collective bargaining
agreements (50%
+ 1 of one plant). Tainan would be one of the first to do
this in El
Salvador?s maquila sector.
10. Mr. Wu Tao Chang, manager of Tainan, and his
consultant, Mr. Carlos
Silva, announce on April 5th the beginning of more
suspensions, arguing that the labels Kohl?s, Target and
Gap had not placed any order and that such order were not
profitable for Tainan. Suspensions only affect the
unionized section TS2 of Tainan El Salvador?s operations.
The union presents evidence that there is no lack of
orders and the company is outsourcing to other factories.
On April 22 suspensions begin taking place in TS1. This
was further proof of what looked like a complete
withdrawal of Tainan from El Salvador.
11. On April 18, the union files a request with the Labor
Minister to
negotiate a collective bargaining agreement.
12. On April 19, AFL-CIO representatives and local
international worker
rights activists meet with representatives of Tainan
Enterprises in Taiwan. Tainan tells the delegation that
the factory will only be closed temporarily and will
rehire the workers once production resumes.
13. As of April 25 close to 420, of the 440 workers from
TS2, had being
suspended, many of them accepting mutual and ?volunteer?
firings from the plant (Tainan).
14. On April 26 announces its intent to close and the
management begins to
dismantle the machinery in the factory.
URGENT UPDATE to International Day of Action
Ann Taylor Finally Responds! Foot Locker becomes target
for day of action in the U.S. US/LEAP Action Alert 6-6-02
www.usleap.org
Participate in International Day of Action June 13th on
Foot Locker!
In response to the inaction of Tainan Enterprises in the
face of the demand to reopen the factory in El Salvador
and respect the right of the union there, STIT, to
negotiate a collective bargaining agreement, STIT is
calling for an international day of action against Tainan
Enterprises on June 13th (June 12th for Taiwan).
Activists in Taiwan have already agreed to participate in
the day of action with a protest at Tainan Enterprises
headquarters in Taipei. STIT in El Salvador plans to
protest the Embassy of Taiwan and the office of Tainan
Enterprises in El Salvador. And you can participate by
organizing an action at the Foot Locker store nearest you!
(Note: Many of you had received an alert asking for
actions against Ann Taylor. The company?s recent response
to campaign demands has shifted the target for the day of
action to Foot Locker. Ann Taylor?s and the company
responses are the result of efforts of local activists
seeking a meeting with company representatives about
supporting worker rights and is testimony to the strength
of the anti-sweatshop movement!)
Take Action!
1) Go to the ?store locator? on the Foot Locker website
<http://www.footlocker.com/> to find the Foot Locker, Kids
Foot Locker, or Lady Foot Locker nearest you.
2) Contact us or go to the US/LEAP website
<www.usleap.org> to get an action packet (available
Monday, June 10th) that includes:
~ Leaflet samples to download and use
~ Talking points for store managers
~ Up-to-date reports of the STIT fight in El Salvador and
the international campaign
3) If you don't have a Foot Locker store in your area,
circulate a sign-on letter in your community and fax to
the Foot Locker headquarters in New York City on the 13th.
Fax letters to 212-720-4397, or email Foot Locker
Customer Service at: customer_service@footlocker.com, or
call their toll-free customer service line at:
1-800-991-6815.
::: Please let us know about your plans for the day of
action and we may be able to connect you with other
activists in your area and gauge the U.S. response to the
International Day of Action.:::
Target for International Day Action was Ann Taylor, but is
now Foot Locker
Ann Taylor is the fifth customer of Tainan Enterprises to
respond to delegations of activists from across the United
States who are visiting the headquarters of Tainan
Enterprises customers about the union-busting factory
closing in El Salvador on April 26th. The delegations
have asked these retailers to write to Tainan Enterprises
and urge the company to resume operations in El Salvador
and negotiate with the union in consideration of respect
for worker rights. The other companies who have sent
letters to Tainan Enterprises are Columbia Sportswear, the
Gap, Kellwood Company (a vendor), and Philips-Van Heusen.
Ann Taylor wrote a letter to Tainan Enterprises on June
3rd (just a day before the announcement of the
International Day of Action against Ann
Taylor) and asked the company for information about the
suspicious closing. The letter also notes that the closing
of a factory as an anti-union measure and would be a
violation of their Principles and Guidelines. ?We value
our business relationships and it is Ann Taylor?s policy
to work with our suppliers, however, we will not tolerate
noncompliance with our Principles and Guidelines,? states
the letter.
Tainan Enterprises customers that have not yet responded
include Federated Department Stores (which owns Macy?s
Department Stores), May Department Stores, and Foot
Locker. Of these, Foot Locker is the strategic choice for
a target of the International Day of Action to support the
Tainan workers in El Salvador.
Union Busting is Disgusting
Tainan Enterprises is a Taiwanese-based company that
closed its factory in El Salvador at the end of April just
as the union there submitted its
application for legal bargaining rights for a contract.
Tainan Enterprises
has factories in Cambodia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and China
that are running at full capacity, yet Tainan Enterprises
says it doesn?t have any orders for its factory in El
Salvador and must close the factory down.
The announcement of closure came after the workers had
gained legal recognition for the union, Sindicato de
Trabajadores de la Industria Textiles (STIT, or the
Industrial Union of Textile Workers), and had launched an
organizing campaign for the right to demand a contract
(which requires that over 50% of the workforce are signed
up for the union). Since workers had expressed interest
in forming a union at the Tainan factory, the company has
engaged in anti-union activities such as firings,
suspensions, and harassment.
The fight continues to stop the union-busting closure of
the Tainan Enterprises factory in El Salvador, despite the
cessation of production at the plant at the end of April.
Action for worker rights in El Salvador, the U.S., and
Taiwan have kept Tainan Enterprises from being able to
completely dissolve itself in El Salvador, which means
there is a greater chance that the factory may reopen.
STIT Appeals for Financial Support
However, STIT has asked US/LEAP to appeal to U.S.
activists for financial support for the Tainan workers.
In an effort to make it harder for Tainan to leave the
country, many workers have not taken the severance pay
owed to them, making unfinished business for the company
to deal with in El Salvador. The longer these workers are
able to survive without severance, the more time there is
to fight the company leaving the country altogether.
However, no job and little savings means these workers can
only survive with support from others.
Contributions can be made out to US/LEAP and sent to P.O.
Box 268-290, Chicago, IL 60626. Please note ?STIT
Donation? in the memo line.
Tainan Background
Provided by Centro de Estudios y Apoyo Laboral - CEAL
(Center of Labour Studies and Support in El Salvador),
translated by US/LEAP
Chronology of events:
1. During the earthquakes in January and February 2001,
Tainan forces its
workers to continue working disregarding the national
emergency. Two of the union leaders speak on behalf of
other union members and direct these concerns to Tainan.
For this reason, both leaders are suspended on February
26, 2001. Their names are Joaquin Alas Salguero and Ruben
Ulises Orellana.
2. Both leaders become affiliated with the union, STIT,
and shortly after
directing their allegations to the regional
representatives of Gap, an agreement is reached on March
19, 2001. Tainan legally recognizes both leaders as their
employees, although the plant pays their salaries at the
entrance and does not allow them to return to work.
3. Although faced with great difficulty and with diverse
and covert
anti-union actions, an affiliation campaign takes place
with STIT inside Tainan,
4. During the visit of President Chen Shui-Bian of Taiwan,
on May 23, 2001,
a division of STIT is organized inside Tainan. The union
members direct letters to both the President and his
ambassador in El Salvador.
5. In July, 2001 STIT obtains legal status as a union from
the Labor
Ministry.
6. Beginning August 7, 2001 strong action takes place
insofar as to
re-admittance of both union members/leaders Joaquin and
Ruben. On August 26, 2001 STIT organizes its first strike
based on the threat of 60 suspensions, most of which are
union members.
7. On October 17, 2001 the first worker suspensions take
place of whom the
majority are union members. Legal actions and protests
take place by STIT, which consequently are suspended on
October 30, 2001.
8. On November 30, 2001 as a result of the threat of a
major campaign
against GAP and interventions with the El Salvadorian
government by AFL-CIO, US/LEAP, FITTVC and other
organizations, Tainan signs an accord with STIT as to
readmit the two union leaders. Both leader return to
Tainan on December 10 and new agreements are reached
allowing for a better dialogue between the workers and
Tainan.
9. Shortly after peaceful negotiations, however, new
claims of more staff
suspensions and firings take place. This is due in part
to the Labor Ministry incompetence in complying with the
previous allegations on October 2001. STIT begins direct
actions inside Tainan on March 6, at the same time that a
series of demands take place at the national and
international level. Later in the month, the union
launches an effort to sign up workers in order to reach
the numbers needed to demand collective bargaining
agreements (50%
+ 1 of one plant). Tainan would be one of the first to do
this in El
Salvador?s maquila sector.
10. Mr. Wu Tao Chang, manager of Tainan, and his
consultant, Mr. Carlos
Silva, announce on April 5th the beginning of more
suspensions, arguing that the labels Kohl?s, Target and
Gap had not placed any order and that such order were not
profitable for Tainan. Suspensions only affect the
unionized section TS2 of Tainan El Salvador?s operations.
The union presents evidence that there is no lack of
orders and the company is outsourcing to other factories.
On April 22 suspensions begin taking place in TS1. This
was further proof of what looked like a complete
withdrawal of Tainan from El Salvador.
11. On April 18, the union files a request with the Labor
Minister to
negotiate a collective bargaining agreement.
12. On April 19, AFL-CIO representatives and local
international worker
rights activists meet with representatives of Tainan
Enterprises in Taiwan. Tainan tells the delegation that
the factory will only be closed temporarily and will
rehire the workers once production resumes.
13. As of April 25 close to 420, of the 440 workers from
TS2, had being
suspended, many of them accepting mutual and ?volunteer?
firings from the plant (Tainan).
14. On April 26 announces its intent to close and the
management begins to
dismantle the machinery in the factory.
#############################################################
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