Saturday, 30 August 2008
MSN Appeal Re: firing of Thai Union leader
From the August 27, 2008 Maquila Solidarity Network story and appeal:
"On July 30, 2008, a Thai subsidiary of Triumph International, one of the world’s largest makers of intimate apparel, fired union president Jitra Kotchadej for wearing an unfashionable t-shirt.
She wasn’t wearing the t-shirt at work, and it wasn’t the colour or the design of the t-shirt that caused offence. It was the message on the shirt: ‘Those who do not stand are not criminals. Thinking differently is not a crime’ -- a reference to the right of people not to stand when the Thai royal anthem is played and to the abuse of Thailand’s lèse-majesté legislation to suppress political opposition.
Ms. Kotchadej was participating in a late night TV debate on women’s reproductive rights. Despite the fact that she was speaking in her private time and not in her capacity as a union leader or worker at Triumph’s Body Fashion (Thailand) Ltd. Factory, she was fired. Since then, 3,000 of her co-workers have walked out of the factory in a show of solidarity, demanding the reinstatement of their union president."
See Support Thai women workers: stop Triumph’s union busting for more information and to send a letter of concern regarding the dismissal of Jitra Kotchadej.
"On July 30, 2008, a Thai subsidiary of Triumph International, one of the world’s largest makers of intimate apparel, fired union president Jitra Kotchadej for wearing an unfashionable t-shirt.
She wasn’t wearing the t-shirt at work, and it wasn’t the colour or the design of the t-shirt that caused offence. It was the message on the shirt: ‘Those who do not stand are not criminals. Thinking differently is not a crime’ -- a reference to the right of people not to stand when the Thai royal anthem is played and to the abuse of Thailand’s lèse-majesté legislation to suppress political opposition.
Ms. Kotchadej was participating in a late night TV debate on women’s reproductive rights. Despite the fact that she was speaking in her private time and not in her capacity as a union leader or worker at Triumph’s Body Fashion (Thailand) Ltd. Factory, she was fired. Since then, 3,000 of her co-workers have walked out of the factory in a show of solidarity, demanding the reinstatement of their union president."
See Support Thai women workers: stop Triumph’s union busting for more information and to send a letter of concern regarding the dismissal of Jitra Kotchadej.
Labels: Maquila Solidarity Network
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Vegetarian Cooking Workshop - Eat Local, Eat Fresh
Vegetarian Cooking Class at Whole Foods Market-Yorkville
Eat Local, Eat Fresh
Saturday, September 20th
11:00am-12:30pm $15 (receive a $5 Whole Foods gift card)
Not only does eating local produce support Ontario farmers and decrease food miles, it's more nutritious and tastes delicious! Leehe from Whole Self Fitness http://www.wholeself.ca will cook up a diverse selection of local produce of the season. Participate, learn and share cooking tips. Leave some room for savouring, there's always lots of food to be enjoyed! Pre-registration is required. Call 416-944-0500 or visit the store at 87 Avenue Rd.
Eat Local, Eat Fresh
Saturday, September 20th
11:00am-12:30pm $15 (receive a $5 Whole Foods gift card)
Not only does eating local produce support Ontario farmers and decrease food miles, it's more nutritious and tastes delicious! Leehe from Whole Self Fitness http://www.wholeself.ca will cook up a diverse selection of local produce of the season. Participate, learn and share cooking tips. Leave some room for savouring, there's always lots of food to be enjoyed! Pre-registration is required. Call 416-944-0500 or visit the store at 87 Avenue Rd.
Monday, 25 August 2008
CLC requests input re: Annual Report of Trade union Violations
A message from the Canadian Labour Congress:
We are in the process of updating the information concerning Canada in the
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Annual Report of Trade Union Violations.
This important annual report is the source for much of the evidence used by
trade unions worldwide and at the International Labour Organization's Annual Conferences.
In the case of Canada, it provides information on federal as well as
provincial and territorial legislation.
You can access the report covering the year 2006 in English here.
We would appreciate if you could quickly review the 2006 report as well as the guidelines
attached (which give some sample paragraphs), and provide us with your updates, comments, etc.
for the year 2007 as a matter of urgency.
We appreciate your assistance, and please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions
(W: 1-613-526-7433)
We are in the process of updating the information concerning Canada in the
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Annual Report of Trade Union Violations.
This important annual report is the source for much of the evidence used by
trade unions worldwide and at the International Labour Organization's Annual Conferences.
In the case of Canada, it provides information on federal as well as
provincial and territorial legislation.
You can access the report covering the year 2006 in English here.
We would appreciate if you could quickly review the 2006 report as well as the guidelines
attached (which give some sample paragraphs), and provide us with your updates, comments, etc.
for the year 2007 as a matter of urgency.
We appreciate your assistance, and please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions
(W: 1-613-526-7433)
Labels: Labour
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Recent feature on Freeganism
In The Cure for Consumania, a recent feature from REAP: Respect for the Earth and All People, Craig Copeland comments on recent coverage of dumpster diving by freegans for food...
"None of the reports, however, delved beyond wasted food in their attempt to explain freegan behaviour. As a result, they failed to give freeganism credit for being a deeply compelling movement. What the TV reporters overlooked is essential to understanding these peaceful subversives:
- The term “freegan” is a marriage of “free” and “vegan.”...
- Instead of boycotting one bad company only to support another, Freegans try to purchase nothing at all...
- Born of the antiglobalization and environmentalist movements, freeganism blossomed in the mid 1990s...
- Freegans argue that land and commodities are now valued only according to their capacity to generate profit...
- Dumpster diving, also called “urban foraging,” is freegans’ trademark tactic...
- When freegans cannot meet their needs by foraging, they buy second-hand goods...
- Most freegans do not own cars...
- Just as freegans are outraged that people starve while food is trashed, they’re incensed that people endure homelessness while available housing remains vacant because the owners cannot profitably rent it out...
- Freegans view unused land, particularly vacant lots within cities, much the way they do food in garbage bins: a wasted resource capable of supplying vital nutritional needs...
- Freegans make a conscious decision: “I will not sacrifice my life to buy more stuff and pay more bills.”...
- The essence of freegansim is the belief that the social, political and ecological ills of our world are not due to a few harmful products or evil corporations but rather the entire system...
"None of the reports, however, delved beyond wasted food in their attempt to explain freegan behaviour. As a result, they failed to give freeganism credit for being a deeply compelling movement. What the TV reporters overlooked is essential to understanding these peaceful subversives:
- The term “freegan” is a marriage of “free” and “vegan.”...
- Instead of boycotting one bad company only to support another, Freegans try to purchase nothing at all...
- Born of the antiglobalization and environmentalist movements, freeganism blossomed in the mid 1990s...
- Freegans argue that land and commodities are now valued only according to their capacity to generate profit...
- Dumpster diving, also called “urban foraging,” is freegans’ trademark tactic...
- When freegans cannot meet their needs by foraging, they buy second-hand goods...
- Most freegans do not own cars...
- Just as freegans are outraged that people starve while food is trashed, they’re incensed that people endure homelessness while available housing remains vacant because the owners cannot profitably rent it out...
- Freegans view unused land, particularly vacant lots within cities, much the way they do food in garbage bins: a wasted resource capable of supplying vital nutritional needs...
- Freegans make a conscious decision: “I will not sacrifice my life to buy more stuff and pay more bills.”...
- The essence of freegansim is the belief that the social, political and ecological ills of our world are not due to a few harmful products or evil corporations but rather the entire system...
Labels: Freeganism
Monday, 4 August 2008
Korea: Stop arrests of trade union leaders
From LabourStart:
Act NOW!
Korea: Stop arrests of trade union leaders
Following a massive wave of protests and demonstrations, on 24 July the South Korean government issued arrest warrants for top leaders of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) including Lee Suk-haeng (President) and Lee Yong-shik (General Secretary). Ms. Jin Young-ok, First Vice-President of the KCTU has been arrested and detained.
The police surrounded the building where the main office of the KCTU is located, ready to move in and arrest the leaders. Arrest warrants have also been issued for other union leaders (see list below).
This anti-union repression threatens to return Korea to the dark days of the military dictatorship which ended two decades ago. Korean trade unionists are asking for a huge international campaign to pressure their government to respect human rights.
List of other trade union leaders for whom arrest warrants have been issued:
Jung Gab-deuk, President, KMWU
Nam Taek-gyu, First Vice-president, KMWU
Yoon Hae-mo, President, Hyundai Motor Branch
Kim Tae-gon, First Vice-president, Hyundai Motor Branch
Kim Jong-il, Vice-president, Hyundai Motor Branch
Jung Chang-bong, Vice-president, Hyundai Motor Branch
Joo In-koo, Vice-president, Hyundai Motor Branch
Jo Chang-min, Secretary,Hyundai Motor Branch
Click here to add your email letter.
Act NOW!
Korea: Stop arrests of trade union leaders
Following a massive wave of protests and demonstrations, on 24 July the South Korean government issued arrest warrants for top leaders of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) including Lee Suk-haeng (President) and Lee Yong-shik (General Secretary). Ms. Jin Young-ok, First Vice-President of the KCTU has been arrested and detained.
The police surrounded the building where the main office of the KCTU is located, ready to move in and arrest the leaders. Arrest warrants have also been issued for other union leaders (see list below).
This anti-union repression threatens to return Korea to the dark days of the military dictatorship which ended two decades ago. Korean trade unionists are asking for a huge international campaign to pressure their government to respect human rights.
List of other trade union leaders for whom arrest warrants have been issued:
Jung Gab-deuk, President, KMWU
Nam Taek-gyu, First Vice-president, KMWU
Yoon Hae-mo, President, Hyundai Motor Branch
Kim Tae-gon, First Vice-president, Hyundai Motor Branch
Kim Jong-il, Vice-president, Hyundai Motor Branch
Jung Chang-bong, Vice-president, Hyundai Motor Branch
Joo In-koo, Vice-president, Hyundai Motor Branch
Jo Chang-min, Secretary,Hyundai Motor Branch
Click here to add your email letter.
Labels: Labour
