Open
World Conference of Workers
In Defense of Trade Union Independence & Democratic Rights
OWC - Open World Conference in Defense of Trade Union
Independence & Democratic Rights, c/o S.F. Labor Council,
1188 Franklin St., #203, San Francisco, CA 94109.
Phone: (415) 641-8616 Fax: (415) 440-9297.
Dear Friends and Supporters of the Daewoo Workers in Mexicali:
We just received an update on the fired workers at the Daewoo maquiladora
plant in Mexicali, Mexico One of the fired workers, Rogelio, went before
the Arbitration and Reconciliation Board last week and was accused by the
company of "fraudulent administration of funds" in a case
involving payment of taxes that occurred six years ago. Rogelio worked in
the accounting department of the firm at the time, but was fired last
September for joining the fledgling independent union.
Rogelio insists this is a frame-up job, and that at no time during the
past six years had any mention of malfeasance come up. But he now faces
criminal charges, in addition to losing his job. He and the organizers of
the independent union have stated that the charges are totally false and
that their only intent is to scare workers from joining a truly
independent union.
Moreover, we just learned that Juan C., the president of the independent
union who had been reinstated in his job following the international
campaign and loud response by his coworkers at the Reconciliation Board
session three weeks ago, has been fired again. The company found witnesses
who have charged him with "illegal activity" on the shop floor.
More than ever, as you can see, these workers need the solidarity of the
U.S. and international labor movement.
We hope you -- and all your friends and coworkers -- will join us in
Mexicali on April 24th. Help us get the word out widely about this
conference.
The conference will include plenary sessions with testimonies from the
workers at Daewoo and other maquiladora plants in the region as well as
workshops on the fight for independent unions in the maquila industry, the
fight against NAFTA and the FTAA, the fight of women in the maquilas,
cross-border organizing against sweatshops, and more.
For all information about the conference, please contact Gema Lopez Limon
at the following:
email: glopez@faro.ens.uabc.mx
and capeso96@hotmail.com
Tel: 011-52-65-66-73-92
Thanks for your ongoing support.
Looking forward to seeing you in Mexicali on April 24,
In solidarity,
Alan Benjamin,
OWC
San Francisco Labor Council (AFL-CIO)