Africa-Press – Liberia. About 1660 Firestone contract workers have chosen to join the Firestone Agriculture Worker Union (FAWUL), an umbrella worker union of Firestone – Liberia. This is seen by many as a significant decision that underscores their desire for improved benefits and working conditions.
While the vast majority of the contractors, in an election held on August 31, voted unanimously to join FAWUL, 65 voted against the decision.
Sano Boakai, a female, age 49, worked with Firestone as a contractor worker since 2007, said, “I cast a vote to show a willingness to join FAWUL so I can achieve benefits from Firestone under the union.”
“I have worked 7 years with Firestone as a contractor and have never been given a pay raise, so I am voting to make my voice heard so that there can be changes in the way Firestone treats its contract workers,” Anthony Korha, another contractor, said.
The overwhelming support for joining the union signals a unified effort by the contract workers to seek representation and advocate for their interests. The workers’ motivation to join FAWUL stems from their aspirations for better benefits, including educational opportunities, housing, healthcare, and other essential provisions.
This move reflects the workers’ collective resolve to address long-standing issues and press for positive changes at Firestone, underscoring their commitment to advancing their rights and well-being within the company.
In a press release, those who voted to join FAWUL want the noble union to seek their interest in terms of relevant benefits, including a school for their kids, housing, health, and others.
The head of FAWUL Rodennick Bongorlee said they have been working with the American Labor Movement under the banner known as ‘Solidarity Center’ since 2020 to ensure that all workers under Firestone, whether contractors or direct employees, are treated fairly online with international standards.
‘Since 2020, Solidarity Centre had been working with FAWUL, and the process to election concluded in 2023 with the understanding to have an election for the contractor to decide for themselves and we decided to have the election this year,’ he said.
“On early Saturday, August 31, 2024, contract workers at the Firestone Rubber Plantation in Liberia held an election. To decide, they will join FAWUL,’ he said.
According to him, both contract and direct Firestone-employed workers have organized themselves to seek to improve working conditions and increase their rights at one of Liberia’s largest employers.
“Accordingly, the contract workers believed that their contractor heads and Firestone had made it harder for the workers’ children (contractors) to attend school by limiting their access to adequate healthcare delivery.
But, Mr. Bongorlee explained that based upon their intervention, the Firestone had agreed to provide bus contractor children to school, and also the US$80 that was deducted from the contractor by their headmaster for rice ratio had been reduced to US$76, something he said more negotiations are going on to ensure the contract workers get their benefits.
“I wrapped this ballot to cast it in the elections today because I want to push Firestone to make an employee after serving workers for 7 years as a block rubber production contractor,” said Sammie Fallah Tamba, a contractor working at Firestone processing plant in Harbel.
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