Oct 2003 update, Union recognition at Jaqalanka!!
We are happy to report very good news: the Jaqalanka workers won their fight to get the union recognized! Find below a message from the Free Trade Zone Workers Union, and the press release send out by the CPA and the FLA.

For Immediate Release: September 29, 2003 Contact: Anne Lally +1 (202) 262 0665

Parties to Seek Solution to Union Recognition Dispute at Sri Lankan Facility

The Fair Labor Association has responded to requests from both the Free Trade Zone Workers Union (FTZWU) and NIKE, Inc. to seek a solution to the dispute over union recognition at the Jaqalanka facility in Sri Lanka. The FTZWU has been organizing at the plant and seeks union recognition from management. In order to be recognized in accordance with the law, unions must represent more than 40% of the workplace.

A referendum was held at the plant in July but the results were contested by the FTZWU and the international observers from US and European labor groups that were present during the referendum. The controversy has now led to complaints being filed with the European Union, the United States Government, and the International Labor Organization.

The FLA has contacted the parties to the dispute with a proposal for an amicable, non-confrontational resolution to the issue involving an independent audit of the union's membership records and the promotion of sound labor relations at the facility.

Feedback on the FLA proposal has been positive and the FLA has asked a respected local NGO, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), to convene a Roundtable Discussion in early October at which the parties can seek agreement on the way forward. Auret van Heerden, Executive Director of the FLA, will mediate the Roundtable Discussion.