TPT May 2008

C ontents

2

E ditorial Index

Get up, stand up… U nder the tightening stranglehold of globalization and the growing power of multinational corporations, today’s worker rights are under increasing pressure. As an economic model, global capitalism is a more aggressive beast, with modern features such as private equity firms. Private equity – with its emphasis on making profit by decreasing operating costs – is becoming the preferred method of acquiring assets (a threefold increase in private equity investment was recorded in 2006 by IFSL Research). In the same week that workers went out on strike over pension rights at the UK’s Grangemouth oil refinery, Shell and BP announced higher than expected 1 st quarter profits of £7bn. The strike was the first in over 70 years to have closed a British oil refinery, and cost in the region of £50mn. In the midst of all the profit declarations and fears that the credit crunch might have dented company coffers by a few per cent, the issue of employment rights does not receive the attention it so rightly deserves. Although it is clearly not ideal for workers to resort to strike action and work- to-rule, a tipping point is reached when an employer needs to be regulated. A growing number of global companies are migrating manufacturing locations to more regions such as eastern Europe, South America and Asia. With cross-border employment issues heading into an increasing minefield, it is essential that worker rights, social justice and sustainable development become even higher global priorities. Trade unions across the world –

6

I ndustry N ews

38 O il & G as N ews

40 T echnology U pdate 78 F rom T he A mericas

128 A dvertisers I ndex

from Asia to eastern Europe – must effectively coordinate their efforts. One such organisation is the world’s largest federation of trade unions – the International Trade Union Confederation (www.ituc- csi.org) – which through a Global Unions movement represents the interests of 166 million workers in 156 countries and territories. The final word should go to ITUC’s mission statement, “More than ever in its history, confronted by unbridled capitalist globalisation, effective internationalism is essential to the future strength of trade unionism and its capacity to realise that mission.” Rich Sears Editor • Email: richard@intras.co.uk

6

The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries

Published by: Intras Publications , 46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa, CV32 4HY, UK Tel : +44 1926 334137 • Fax : +44 1926 314755 Email : tpt@intras.co.uk Website : www.read-tpt.com USA Office (Editorial only): Intras Limited, 272 First Ave, Apt 12G, New York, NY 10009, USA Tel/Fax : +1 212 614 9266 Email : dfabian@rcn.com Indian Office: Jintras Ltd, Subarna (Ground Floor) P21/N, Block A New Alipore, Kolkata 700 053, India Tel: +91 33 2407 0701 • Fax : +91 33 2407 0700 Email : jeroov@vsnl.com All rights reserved – © Intras Ltd ISSN 0953-2366 This publication and its full contents of layout, text, images, and graphics is copyright protected. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any other storage or retrieval system without the publisher’s written permission. The publisher, owners, agents, printers, editors and contributors cannot be held responsible for and hereby exclude all liability whatsoever for errors, omissions or the accuracy and claims printed or inferred in the editorial or advertisements published in this, previous or subsequent editions or for any damages, costs or losses caused thereby. Tube & Pipe Technology reserves the right to edit, reword and subedit all editorial submissions in accordance with editorial policy. Tube & Pipe Technology expressed graphically or by text is a registered name and style trademark of Intras Ltd, UK. All matters relating to this disclaimer are governed by the laws of England.

Editor • Rich Sears Features editor (USA) • Dorothy Fabian Editorial assistant • Christian Bradley Production manager • Lisa Benjamin Design • Julie Tomlin

42

• Catherine Sayers English speaking sales • Giuliana Benedetto Italian sales • Hendrike Griffin German speaking sales • Linda Li Chinese sales • Jeroo Vandrevala Indian sales

Sales & marketing

• Liz Hughes

Advertising co-ordinators

• Andrea McIntosh

• Liz Hughes

Subscriptions

• Richard Babbedge

Accounts manager

• Caroline Sullens

Publisher

• John C Hogg

Founder

US Copies only: Tube & Pipe Technology (ISSN No: 0953-2386) is published bi-monthly by INTRAS Ltd and distributed in the US by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Tube & Pipe Technology , PO Box 437, Emigsville PA 17318-0437. Tube & Pipe Technology magazine is available on subscription, or via membership of the International Tube Association – See www.itatube.org for more membership benefits

When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it