Labour start mailer for the week: Why unions matter

[Omaha Steve]

In this week's mailing:

* "Ethical" corporation negotiates in London, attacks workers in Pakistan
* Turkey: Historic May Day as unions reach Taksim Square
* Iran: Brutal crackdown; more than 150 arrested
* Vietnam: Crackdown on independent trade unions
* Why unions matter

"Ethical" corporation negotiates in London, attacks workers in Pakistan

Unilever was recently ranked "one of the world's most ethical companies" by something called the Ethisphere Institute. Unilever, they said, "has proven to be one of the world leaders in upholding high ethical standards, making it a true standout in its industry."

But last week, while Unilever officials were negotiating in London with the IUF over the rights of their Pakistani workers, the company took vicious and discriminatory reprisals against workers who have stood up for their rights.

Does this sound very "ethical" to you?

To send an urgent message to Unilever, click here. To learn more about this campaign, visit the IUF website.

Turkey: Historic May Day as unions reach Taksim Square

Last week we asked you to send messages to the Turkish government asking them to allow unions to march to Taksim Square in Istanbul. And we're very pleased to report that for the first time in more than 30 years, trade unions were in Taksim Square, able to commemorate the massacre that took place there in 1977. LabourStart correspondent Mac Urata was there and photographed the event. There's full coverage of May Day in Turkey on LabourStart, here.

Iran: Brutal crackdown; more than 150 arrested

We also asked you last week to help persuade the Iranian government to allow workers to peacefully protest on May Day. We were less successful here, as the government brutally attacked demonstrators and arrested more than 150. Full coverage of these events is here.

Vietnam: Crackdown on independent trade unions

"The Vietnamese government is trying to wipe out the independent trade union movement," reports Human Rights Watch. Trade unionists have been detained, placed under house arrest and imprisoned. For full details, click here.

Why unions matter

As we've seen, workers in countries like Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Vietnam are literally risking their lives to join and form trade unions. Unions clearly matter to them.

But do they matter to the rest of us? Michael D. Yates, the author of Why Unions Matter, clearly thinks so. The second edition of this important book has just come out and LabourStart is pleased to feature it as this week's book of the week.

In addition, we have an exclusive interview with the author where we discuss a number of issues raised by the book including independent political action by unions, the Employee Free Choice Act, and the split in the American labour movement. Click here to read the interview and learn more about the book.

Remember that every book you order from us helps support LabourStart's campaigning activities. Thank you.

Eric Lee