Russian dockers' leader beaten and stabbed - an urgent appeal forhelp

international | workplace struggles | other libertarian press Tuesday June 12, 2007 15:22 by Eric Lee - LabourStart

In this week's mailing:

* Russian dockers' leader beaten and stabbed - an urgent appeal for help
* Indonesia: Free jailed trade unionist Sarta bin Sarim
* International Justice Day
* Australia: Sydney hotel workers seek respect
* Ubuntu and the unions

RUSSIAN DOCKERS' LEADER BEATEN AND STABBED - AN URGENT APPEAL FOR HELP

Four days ago, on 7 June, Mikhail Chesalin, the chairman of the local Dockers Union in Kaliningrad, Russia, was savagely stabbed and beaten outside the union office. An unknown number of assailants attacked Chesalin when he got out of his car, stabbing him numerous times in the spine, and beating him severely about the head. He was left lying face-down, unconscious, in a pool of blood. Chesalin's colleagues believe that the attack was orchestrated by Vladimir Kalinichenko, the General Director of the Sea Commercial Port where the dockworkers' union is currently running an organizing campaign.

When we talk about "urgent action appeals" this is exactly the sort of thing that we mean. It is our responsibility as trade unionists to rally to the support of our brothers and sisters in Kaliningrad and to demand that attacks on trade unionists cease and workers' rights be respected. Please send your message of protest today:

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=265

And most important -- pass this message on, mobilize members of your unions, let's send thousands of messages to Russia today.

***

INDONESIA: FREE JAILED TRADE UNIONIST SARTA BIN SARIM

Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, Sarta bin Sarim, chairman of his local union at a furniture plant in Jakarta, Indonesia, was picked up by police on May Day, beaten and kicked while in custody and forced to confess that he had organized a peaceful protest on the international workers' holiday. He has been charged under an old Dutch colonial law for committing "unpleasant acts" and for "inciting disruption." While in jail, he continues to beaten regularly. His union is asking for a world-wide mobilization of protest. Please send off your messages
today:

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=259

***

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE DAY

15 June is a day when property services workers around the world take action to promote their global ties. This year, unions affiliated with Union Network International (UNI) are supporting a campaign to organize Indian security guards and raise standards in the sector. To learn more about International Justice Day and to participate in the online campaign, visit the website:

http://www.internationaljusticeday.org

***

AUSTRALIA: SYDNEY HOTEL WORKERS SEEK RESPECT

More than 30 hotel workers are demanding the new owners of the big Rydges Hotel in Sydney show a bit of respect to their workforce. The hotel has just changed ownership and the new owners have decided to contract out the housekeeping department -- without talking to the workforce. To learn more and to send off a message, please visit this
page:

http://www.lhmu.org.au/lhmu/news/2007/1181010129_23695.html

***

UBUNTU AND THE UNIONS

Ubuntu Linux is an increasingly popular open source operating system which I've now been using for more than three weeks instead of Microsoft Windows. Is it something you or your union should be thinking of doing?
I've written a short article on the experience, and look to reading your comments there:

http://www.ericlee.info/2007/06/ubuntu_and_the_unions.html

Thanks.

Eric Lee