The Liberian union of workers at the Firestone rubber plantation will be recognized for their “courageous struggle” to win their right to fair representation at this year’s AFL labor rights award ceremony in Washington, DC.
 
“In recognition of the extraordinary courage, strength and solidarity of Liberian rubber workers at one of the world’s largest rubber plantations, we are proud to nominate the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL) for the George Meany-Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award,” wrote the executive committee of the AFL-CIO.
 
At a poll in July 2007, the 4,000 Firestone workers elected a reform slate of democratic and independent union leaders. It was a resounding rejection of the company’s inhouse union which imposed inhuman conditions including 14 hour days and $3 a day pay, for 82 years. 
 
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