Steelworkers Support Brazilian DuPont Workers on Hunger Strike

Jan. 24, 2008
Striking workers object to profit sharing proposals.

The 117 DuPont workers who held a hunger strike in Camaari, Brazil last week gained the support of the United Steelworkers (USW). The workers, members of the Union of Chemical and Petroleum Workers of Bahia/CNQ-CUT, held the strike to protest DuPont's profit sharing proposals.

"The USW stands prepared to offer immediate assistance," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. We already have representation in Brazil fully committed to assisting our brothers and sisters there." The USW represents more than 850,000 members in the U.S. and Canada.

It is the USW's understanding that the local union offered to negotiate a fair profit sharing agreement for 2007 on behalf of its members, but that DuPont rejected all offers as out of hand. At that point, the workers, who make industrial rubber and polymers, decided to take action. Assemblies continue to be held at the factory gate.

The USW coordinates a global network of trade unions at DuPonts facilities and is challenging DuPont's so-called "undeserved" reputation for worker safety. In 2005, a worker was killed in an explosion at the Camaari facility. DuPont was faulted for not implementing control devices to prevent the explosion, according to a full report released by the State of Bahia in Brazil. In October 2007, a Brazilian Labor Court Judge ruled in favor of the deceased worker's family and fined DuPont for moral and material damages.

A DuPont spokesperson, Leslie Beckhoff, of the DuPont Operations Public Affairs office says this there is in fact no hunger strike. "A United Steelworkers (USW) report that there was a hunger strike at the DuPont Camacari, Brazil site is not true. The USW does not represent any of the more than 175 employees at the site. The local union and the site are in ongoing discussions about employees' variable compensation plan. This is a local process that is best managed at the site. "

She explains that since 2003, the USW has waged a corporate campaign against DuPont. "Distorting the facts is one of the tactics they use."

Beckholff said that " all operations at the Camacari site are working properly and that production and supply at the site continue as normal. There are no activities going on outside of the gate. "

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Empowering the Modern Workforce: The Power of Connected Worker Technologies

March 1, 2024
Explore real-world strategies to boost worker safety, collaboration, training, and productivity in manufacturing. Emphasizing Industry 4.0, we'll discuss digitalization and automation...

3 Best Practices to Create a Product-Centric Competitive Advantage with PRO.FILE PLM

Jan. 25, 2024
Gain insight on best practices and strategies you need to accelerate engineering change management and reduce time to market. Register now for your opportunity to accelerate your...

Transformative Capabilities for XaaS Models in Manufacturing

Feb. 14, 2024
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a pivotal shift toward "servitization," or enhancing product offerings with services and embracing a subscription model. This transition...

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!