Zhao Dongmin, after a year in police custody, was recently found guilty of 'disrupting public order' by a court in northern Shaanxi province. He was sentenced to three years in jail.
Zhao, a lawyer by training and a Communist Party member, had tried to set up a multi-factory committee to monitor corruption while state-enterprises were being re-structured.
To read Zhao Dongmin statement click here.
Zhao joins Li Wangyang and a number of other workers jailed for 'illegal' trade union activities in China.

In a long running dispute, 134 teachers, all union trade members, in south Korea are facing imminent dismissal.

The Korean Education ministry wants to dismiss these workers for allegedly breaching the 'political neutrality law' for public servants by supporting an opposition party.

The Education ministry had tried to dismiss these workers in May, but legal proceedings initiated by the Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (KTU), blocked the dismissals.

The Ministry has now issued a new edict calling for their immediate sacking. For information and solidarity.
 

Ark Tribe is a building worker who was charged two years ago for failing to attend an interview under the draconian powers of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).
Ark is facing up to 6 months in prison.
The magistrate was supposed to hand down his decision on the 3rd of November. For unknown reason, this was postponed at the last minute to the 24th of November.
Planned solidarity actions around the world have been postponed once again.

There will be a rally organised by the Spirit of Eureka Committee to commemorate the aniversary of the Eureka Stockade rebellion at 5:30pm at Melbourne Trades Hall, followed by a meeting at 6:00pm, on Friday 3 December 2010. One of the slogans of the rally is Abolish the ABCC.
The campaign for Ark Tribe and for the repeal of the ABCC continues.

Workers at PT Jaya Readymix, a subsidiary of Australian company Boral, went on strike in early August to demand better wages and conditions.

After a week, the company acceded to most of the workers demands.

Both the Central Leadership of Confederation KASBI and the Stewards of the Jaya Ready Mix Trade Unions, would like to thank all the friends and organisations who provided support, assistance and solidarity for their struggle.

Since mid April, the workers at the Turkish subsidiary of the global logistic company UPS, have been involved in an increasingly bitter dispute.
In response to the local union's, TUMTIS, organising drive, the company has dismissed over 150 union members and supporters at various sites around Turkey.
Workers are looking to get better wages and shorter working days, among other improvements in their conditions.
Be part of the global solidarity movement.

Migrant workers are often placed in vulnerable working conditions due to laws that weaken their rights.
Many migrant workers die, and more get injured because of unsafe conditions at their workplaces.
A Sri Lankan maid recently suffered horrific injuries at the hands of her employer.
Ariyawathie arrived back in Sri Lanka to have surgery to remove nails embedded into her.

Unions in Sydney, Australia, in late August held a solidarity demonstration in front of the local Nestlé-owned Nespresso shop.
This rally was in support of the SBNIP union who represents workers at the Nescafé factory in Panjang, Indonesia.
The workers there have been trying for 3 years to have the right to bargain a collective agreement.
In response, Nestlé management has consistently opposed these efforts by promoting a yellow union and intimidating union members.
For more information

While this week, the US president has declared an end to the USA's 'combat mission' in Iraq, the situation is far from resolved for Iraqi workers.
While under Saddam Hussein, trade unions were strictly controlled by the regime, his removal did not signal an end to repression.
Workers in Iraq still have to confront laws that limit their rights while the economy is being liberalised and privatised.
Workers are still organising.

The last two years have been a time of crisis for capitalism.
This has had a devastating impact on workers with millions made unemployed.
Social services have been reduced and wages have been cut.
Workers should not pay for their crisis.
The World Federation of Trade Unions has called for a day of action on the 7th of September