In brief, Rio Tinto commits to changing its attitude towards trade unions

The campaign led by IndustriALL Global Union that has targeted Rio Tinto, the Australian-British metals and mining corporation, is most probably one of the most tenacious pursued by an international union group. According to a press release published on the trade union organisation’s website, the multinational is understood to have committed to respecting certain fundamental rights. This was expressed in a letter sent by Rio Tinto in April. The mining giant’s head of employee relations confirmed this commitment at a meeting with trade union representatives from various countries (which met between 19 and 21 July in Johannesburg). The statement adds that a joint steering committee, made up of representative of Rio Tinto and union representatives from different continents, will meet twice a year “to develop the relationship and monitor compliance with the policy”.