From: "Vikki John" <VIKKI-AT-lexsun.law.uts.edu.au>
Date:          Mon, 2 Feb 1998 14:48:12 GMT-1000
Subject: M-NEWS: GLOBAL CAMPAIGN ON RIO TINTO


GLOBAL CAMPAIGN ON RIO TINTO

PLEASE LEND YOUR SUPPORT

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) 
is writing to ask you to join the campaign to stop Rio Tinto, 
the world's largest private mining company, which is attempting 
to de-unionise its operations.  At issue is the right of workers to 
act collectively within a union to protect their employment and 
workplace conditions.

Rio Tinto's approach to workers rights has caused serious conflict 
at many of its operations in Australia, Indonesia, Norway, Namibia 
and Portugal.  Within Australia the CFMEU, the Australian 
Manufacturing Workers Union, the Communications, Electrical and 
Plumbing Union and the Australian Collieries Staff Association are 
all being targeted by Rio Tinto, which is seeking to purge union 
members from its coal mining operations (a policy supported by 
the Federal Government).

However, Rio Tinto's challenge to the rights of coal mine workers 
is not a problem confined to a few unions and a small number of 
coal mines.  If the company succeeds in de-unionising its operations 
many other companies will attempt to follow suit.  Rio Tinto's 
anti-union activities are one step along the profit trail for this giant 
multinational whose record shows scant regard for human and 
workers rights and for environmental protection.  For Rio Tinto, 
as with many other multinationals, the right to belong to a union, 
undertake community action or  insist on environmental protection, 
is simply viewed as obstacles which get in the way of maximising 
profits.  This is why the CFMEU is working with human rights and 
environment groups to stop Rio Tinto implementing its agenda.

PLEASE LEND YOUR SUPPORT

>From 7-9 February, unions from all over the world will meet at 
a conference in Johannesburg, hosted by the National Union of 
Mineworkers in South Africa and sponsored by the CFMEU and 
the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and 
General Workers' Unions (ICEM) to launch a global campaign on 
Rio Tinto.  The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and 
affiliates are sending a large delegation to the conference to put 
the Australian view and offer support.

The ACTU and CFMEU are calling on you to make a small contribution 
of your time and energy to this campaign.  We want to show Rio Tinto 
that this is a community wide campaign prepared to work collectively 
to uphold internationally recognised rights.

SEND A FAX OF SUPPORT (up to 5th February) to 
John Maitland, National Secretary, CFMEU Head Office, 
Australia 02-9262.1928.  After 5th February to:
James Motlatsi, National President of the NUM of South Africa 
on 00 15 27 11 836.6051 or to the conference centre at 
00 15 27 11 339.7440 - marked John Maitland.

Messages do not have to be long - every word of support will 
be welcomed.
ALL FAXES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE CONFERENCE.
For further information and input to the campaign, stay on the mailing 
list, write or fax the CFMEU office at 
3rd Floor, 361 Kent Street, Sydney. NSW. 2000,
Telephone 02-9292.1011, Facsimile 02-9262.1928 
or email pcolley-AT-cfmeu.com.au
The CFMEU website http:www.cfmeu.asn.au/mining-energy 
has information on Rio Tinto's operations in Australia.  It also 
provides further website addresses on Rio Tinto's overseas operations.