USW Congratulates Rubber Workers at Firestone in Liberia on New Contract

Heavy Loads Lifted from Tappers’ Backs

Contact: Mike Zielinski, 202-778-4384

(Pittsburgh) — The United Steelworkers (USW) today congratulated the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL) on achieving a new collective bargaining agreement at the Firestone rubber plantation in Liberia.  The agreement contains a landmark provision to change the method of transporting latex to weigh stations.

“Since 1926, rubber tappers have carried a heavy load across their backs for miles,” said Fred Redmond, USW International Vice President for Human Affairs “FAWUL has achieved an historic change by negotiating a new motorized transport system.  It’s a milestone for its members and a major victory for human rights.  We need now to make sure that the agreement is enforced and extended to every corner of the plantation.”

In the new agreement, the union has negotiated a commitment to “change the current mode of transportation.”  For more than 80 years, rubber tappers were forced to carry two metal buckets, weighing up to 150 pounds, suspended from a stick across their shoulders.  Tappers carried these heavy loads to weigh stations which in some areas were miles away.  According to rubber tappers and human rights observers, this out-dated method of transportation took a severe toll on workers’ health, leading to a variety of debilitating injuries.

The new transport process has begun in several divisions of the plantation and is scheduled to be extended to other areas by the end of 2010.  The new system currently involves latex being collected in plastic buckets which are then picked up by a tractor trailer and hauled to weigh stations.  Last week, a delegation led by Redmond was able to witness implementation of the new transportation system.

“We want to congratulate FAWUL on its momentous achievement,” said Redmond. “At the same time, we know there is much work still to be done in improving working conditions and raising living standards at Firestone.”

Throughout the bargaining process and the earlier campaign to win union recognition, the USW has supported the members of FAWUL through training programs and solidarity actions, including research on how latex is transported at rubber plantations in Asia. 

“Tappers still work long, unpaid hours to complete their tasks and more needs to be done to address ongoing safety issues,” said Redmond. “While new housing and schools are under construction, the job is far from finished in ensuring that every child has access to education and that workers have access to electricity and other amenities that we take for granted.”

Workers and community members remained concerned with pollution emissions at the Firestone plantation which affects air and water in the surrounding area.

“The USW is committed to working closely with FAWUL in securing justice in all these areas,” said Redmond.

FAWUL, which represents more than 4,000 workers, has now negotiated two contracts with the company since establishing itself as the plantation’s first independent union in 2007. 

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