Liberian Rubber Workers Sign Historic Labor Agreement

by James Parks, Aug 11, 2008

After a struggle that lasted for eight decades, the 4,000 workers at one of the world’s largest rubber plantations will receive wage increases, an improvement in work conditions and upgraded housing and educational facilities after signing a historic agreement. 

The Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL) signed the new deal with Firestone late last week. The new contract provides significant gains for workers, including wage increases of 24 percent for rubber tappers, retroactive to the expiration of a previous agreement in January 2007.

Also under the agreement, the daily rubber tree quota for tappers will be reduced 20 percent and transportation will be provided for bringing latex to weigh stations. Previously, tappers had to walk long distances with 150 pounds of latex yoked to their backs. In addition, Firestone management committed to upgrading housing and educational facilities for employees and their families.  

Says United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo Gerard:  

The agreement at Firestone marks a new day for workers throughout Liberia. It is also a crucial victory in the global fight for workers’ rights. These brave workers stood up to a powerful transnational corporation and declared that they will no longer be treated like second class citizens or indentured servants. This agreement sets a new labor standard for all of Liberia’s workers.  

For 82 years, workers lacked a truly independent and democratic union. In July 2007, the workers threw out the officials of the longtime company-controlled union and elected leaders of their choice. International election observers, including the USW and the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center, certified the election as fair, but a small group of officials from the discredited company union challenged the results. Management refused to recognize the new union leadership or engage in collective bargaining. Again, the rubber workers went on strike. And, once again, they were beaten, disciplined and fired.  

In late December, the Liberian Supreme Court ruled the July election was a legitimate election. Firestone management recognized the new union leadership after the Supreme Court decision, and negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement began.

The USW, which represents Bridgestone/Firestone Co. workers in the United States, and the Solidarity Center supported the Liberian workers for the past two years through training programs, workshops and education. FAWUL President Austin Natee says the workers gained a new dignity and respect by forming the union.  

We were able to sit down at the table with management as equals and to negotiate an agreement that provides our members with hard-won respect and dignity.

FAWUL Secretary General Edwin Cisco praised the USW and Solidarity Center for helping deliver union-building educational and training programs over several years to FAWUL’s leaders, activists and stewards. 

The workers were agitating to find a way out [of their working conditions] and at that moment the Steelworkers and the Solidarity Center came in and started trainings and assisting us to build our capacity. It was a very big boost.  

The AFL-CIO honored the rubber workers’ union with its 2007 George Meany–Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award for courage, innovation and leadership.

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