From Eric Lee: Zimbabwe: Union leaders arrested

[Omaha Steve]

In this week's mailing:

* Zimbabwe: Union leaders arrested
* Burma: Unions appeal for help following cyclone
* New Zealand: Union fights offshoring of finance sector jobs

ZIMBABWE: UNION LEADERS ARRESTED

Unions around the world are condemning the arrests yesterday of Lovemore Motombo and Wellington Chibebe, respectively President and General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU). The two trade union leaders were charged with "inciting people to rise against the government and reporting falsehoods about people being killed" in speeches given on May Day.

The International Trade Union Confederation's statement is here:

http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article2107

The IUF is calling for messages of protest to be sent to the Mugabe regime:

http://www.iuf.org/den5018

And the Education International is concerned about rising violence directed against teachers in Zimbabwe, noting that many teachers in rural areas are being killed, maimed, tortured and abused. Read more here:

http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/show.php?id=771&theme=rights&country=zimbabwe

***

BURMA: UNIONS APPEAL FOR HELP FOLLOWING CYCLONE

Unions have begun to raise money to support the Burmese people following the catastrophic cyclone which hit the country several days ago. Here are links you can follow to donate in your country.

USA:
http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/05/06/help-provide-relief-to-burmese-workers/

UK:
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-14740-f0.cfm

Australia:
http://www.apheda.org.au/news/1210217214_29405.html

If your national trade union center is raising money, let us know and we'll publish the link on LabourStart.

***

NEW ZEALAND: UNION FIGHTS OFFSHORING OF FINANCE SECTOR JOBS

In a story that will be familiar to trade unionists in many countries, the finance sector union in New Zealand has launched a public campaign against ANZ National Bank, which plans to relocate 500 back office jobs to India. To learn more, visit their website:

http://www.finsec.org.nz/

Have a great weekend.

Eric Lee


This message was sent by: Eric Lee, 51 Briarfield Avenue, London, UK N3 2LG, United Kingdom

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