76 trade unionists murdered around the world in 2008 & more info

In this week's mailing:

* 76 trade unionists murdered around the world in 2008
* Algeria: Struggle at Compass rocks the country
* The best-selling union book of all time?

76 TRADE UNIONISTS MURDERED AROUND THE WORLD IN 2008

2008 was another difficult and often dangerous year for trade unionists around the world, according to this year's ITUC Annual Survey of Trade Union Rights Violations, which details abuses of fundamental workers' rights in 143 countries. 76 trade unionists were killed due to their actions to defend workers' rights, and many more were attacked physically or subjected to harassment, intimidation or arrest by the authorities. The report makes for depressing - but necessary - reading, and is available online here:

http://survey09.ituc-csi.org/

ALGERIA: STRUGGLE AT COMPASS ROCKS THE COUNTRY

Thanks very much to the nearly 1,800 of you who've supported our campaign in solidarity with Algerian workers. Though the company has yet to respond to the campaign, the union has been inspired to create a new union for workers in private companies, triggering discussion in the national press and even a question from a deputy to the Prime Minister in Parliament. Other unions are inviting the suspended union leader Yassin Zaid to address conferences. The result is an upsurge of interest in independent, democratic trade unionism throughout the country. Let's keep up the pressure - send your message today:

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=525

THE BEST-SELLING UNION BOOK OF ALL TIME?

Books about and for trade unionists typically don’t sell very many copies. Publishers are often happy if a thousand copies of a union book can be sold. So what do you call a book that’s aimed at trade unionists which sells 60,000 copies? David Prosten's " The Union Steward’s Complete Guide" is one of the best selling labour books of all time — and if you don't own a copy, now is your chance to pick one up and find out why tens of thousands of your fellow union members have got their hands on one. Learn more about the book and order your copy here:

http://www.labourstart.org/bookshop/?p=52

Thanks very much - and have a great weekend.

Eric Lee