Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY275
2008-06-06 13:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
UNIONISTS AT RUSSIAN BAUXITE MINE CONCLUDE STRIKE
how-toVZCZCXRO3308 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHRY #0275 1581331 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 061331Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2624 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000275
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: UNIONISTS AT RUSSIAN BAUXITE MINE CONCLUDE STRIKE
PEACEFULLY
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000275
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: UNIONISTS AT RUSSIAN BAUXITE MINE CONCLUDE STRIKE
PEACEFULLY
1. (SBU) Unionists at the Russian owned Rusal bauxite mine
in Fria, about two hours to the northeast of Conakry, have
been holding a peaceful labor strike since Monday, June 02.
As of 15:00 on June 06, it appears that the unionists have
been able to successfully negotiate an acceptable deal with
the company. Throughout the course of the week, the mine was
operating with a skeleton crew. Most employees reported to
the mine as scheduled, but refused to work. Increases in
salaries and cost of living allowances were at the top of the
unions' demands. In addition, the general population was
reportedly frustrated over an extended power outage in the
city, which they blamed on Rusal since the plant supplies
electricity to the surrounding community.
2. (SBU) According to sources, one of the factors driving
Rusal's workers to strike was the fact that another company,
The Guinean Bauxite Company (CBG) in Kamsar, a few hours away
from Fria, had already agreed to increase their employees'
compensation package to address high inflation.
3. (SBU) A union representative told Pol LES that Rusal
agreed to provide each of its employees with a monthly cost
of living allowance of $122 rather than the $30 initially
proposed by the company. In addition, Rusal reportedly
agreed to increase all salaries by 10%, effective the
beginning of July.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) Fria is a company town with most of the local
community reliant on Rusal mine in one fashion or another.
It is one of the few communities in the country that has
power around the clock, thanks to the mine. Some civil
demonstrations and labor strikes in Fria have been violent in
the past, but the unionists were able to peacefully organize
and successfully negotiate an amicable deal this time around,
despite elevated political tensions in the capital. END
COMMENT.
CARTER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV KDEM ASEC GV
SUBJECT: UNIONISTS AT RUSSIAN BAUXITE MINE CONCLUDE STRIKE
PEACEFULLY
1. (SBU) Unionists at the Russian owned Rusal bauxite mine
in Fria, about two hours to the northeast of Conakry, have
been holding a peaceful labor strike since Monday, June 02.
As of 15:00 on June 06, it appears that the unionists have
been able to successfully negotiate an acceptable deal with
the company. Throughout the course of the week, the mine was
operating with a skeleton crew. Most employees reported to
the mine as scheduled, but refused to work. Increases in
salaries and cost of living allowances were at the top of the
unions' demands. In addition, the general population was
reportedly frustrated over an extended power outage in the
city, which they blamed on Rusal since the plant supplies
electricity to the surrounding community.
2. (SBU) According to sources, one of the factors driving
Rusal's workers to strike was the fact that another company,
The Guinean Bauxite Company (CBG) in Kamsar, a few hours away
from Fria, had already agreed to increase their employees'
compensation package to address high inflation.
3. (SBU) A union representative told Pol LES that Rusal
agreed to provide each of its employees with a monthly cost
of living allowance of $122 rather than the $30 initially
proposed by the company. In addition, Rusal reportedly
agreed to increase all salaries by 10%, effective the
beginning of July.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) Fria is a company town with most of the local
community reliant on Rusal mine in one fashion or another.
It is one of the few communities in the country that has
power around the clock, thanks to the mine. Some civil
demonstrations and labor strikes in Fria have been violent in
the past, but the unionists were able to peacefully organize
and successfully negotiate an amicable deal this time around,
despite elevated political tensions in the capital. END
COMMENT.
CARTER