IBM Workers in a demonstration day for union freedom and democracy.
On May 6th, IBM workers participated in several activities to denounce their
situation inside the company:
Low wages, and salary rises between 0 and 3% for the whole last year Labour
fraud, with over 60% of the employees being outsourced The anti-union policy
that the company has put in practice since it's conception
Next, a brief account of the activities realized this week. For further detail, check http://www.cepetel.org.ar/informaticos
President Cristina Férnandez visit to IBM-Olivos III building
On may 6th at midday, a group of union delegates were present during the visit of the president of Argentina, Cristina Fernández, to IBM building. They gave personally a present and a letter detailing the working conditions at the company.
The company tried to realize the low profile event to avoid any kind of union event but we were present at the event with banners and flags.
Union Freedom and democracy march
Cepetel was present at the CTA-summoned march to the National Congress, in which over 15 thousand workers showed the unbreakable will of his calling for union freedom and democracy, and stating once more their autonomy from employers, governments and political parties. The march, summoned under the motto “In Argentina we are not all equal”, was made while an experts commission of the International Labour Organization was visiting the country. We took our banners and flags next to other workers that, like us, are claiming for the right to unionize and defend worker's rights.
Protest in IBM Cordoba On the IBM Cordoba site, workers expressed their demands by making a car caravan, blowing their horns and waving flags and banners to condemn the labour and salary conditions at the company. Also present at the demonstration were CTA authorities, press workers of the Cispren union, tire workers, and Telecom workers unionized in Cepetel. The protest began with the arrival of the tech support department and their cars, whom next expressed their demands via a loudspeaker. Also, flyers were given to people passing by and coming in or out of the building.
Cepetel in the National Congress At the end of the Union freedom and democracy demonstration, a public audience took place in the Deputies chamber of the congress to present a project for a new Union law and to demand official recognition for the CTA. We assisted to the presentation of this proposed new legislation, which would guarantee unionized workers the protection they need to fight for their rights and avoid firings and sanctions on behalf of the companies.
We also received a copy of the project of resolution in which the chamber express his concern for the workers situation at IBM Argentina. We were informed that this project got the signature of seven deputies and is now treated at the workers legislation committee.
Assembly at Uzal building
On the IBM-Uzal building in Olivos, an assembly took place on May 7th, in which the problems of the “proyecto dali” and “velazquez” workers were dealed with. This was our second meeting in this building, and this time over 15 workers turned in their union affiliation papers and expressed their will to keep claiming for decent wages and the end of the outsourced contracts. Other work conditions, like night shifts and overtime hours were discussed as well.
Next activities
Thursday, may 13th – 18hs: Meeting and act at IBM Catalinas We would like to invite all IBM workers to join us in this activity in which we will keep claiming for our workers rights, our salaries and our labour condition, as well as our legality as a union. We would also like to invite all of those trade unions, social organizations and people who are sympathetic with our demands to join us in these demonstration.
Saturday, may 15th – Awareness raising day in Rosario This Saturday,
15th, on the pedestrian walk in downtown Rosario, we will be present handing
out flyers to expose the current situation of the IBM workers and the IT field.
Alliance@IBM
-CWA Local 1701-