Date of publication: July 11, 2007
Source: Analyst (Liberia)
By J. Ebenezer Daygbor
An international observer from the United Steel Workers of America to the recent Firestone Workers Union elections, Mr. Michael Zielinski, says decision of Firestone Liberia to have denied children of workers basic education and better health care is "devilish and unacceptable".
Mr. Zielinski said it is very unfortunate that Firestone-Liberia that has been in the country for over 80 years not to have a secondary school and better hospital, noting, company only wants to deny workers' children education opportunity so that tomorrow they would become trappers while their parents retire.
"Firestone has all the it needs to build high schools, colleges, bigger hospitals, transportation for workers and their children, but has failed, only because they want to have uneducated workforce who will not ask them of their rights", he said.
Speaking at a news conference in Monrovia recently, Mr. Zielinski urged the new corps of officers to work in the interest of the workers saying, "I challenge them to work in the interest of their fellow colleagues so that changes will come to the plantation".
He said it's high time that Firestone changed its policy to bring relief to employees who have worked tirelessly to render services to the company.
He described the FAWUL elections as free, fair and transparent, and urged the losing parties to cooperate with the winners to uplift the union.