Resolution on Mexican Workers

WHEREAS, the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros Metalugicos y Similares de la Republica de Mexico (SNTMMSRM) has led the fight for justice, dignity, safe working conditions, and a decent standard of living for its members in the mining and steel industries, and

WHEREAS, the SNTMMSRM has unfailingly supported struggles of unions in other countries, including providing critical solidarity and assistance to members of the United Steelworkers in their battle with the Grupo Mexico at ASARCO, and

WHEREAS, Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, General Secretary of the SNTMMSRM, has led the union in those efforts, and

WHEREAS, on February 19, 2006, a methane explosion occurred in the number 8 shaft of the Pasta de Conchos mine owned by Grupo Mexico, the largest and most powerful mining company in the country. Sixty-five miners were buried in the blast. Following the explosion, Gomez spoke out against Grupo Mexico and the Mexican government accusing them of "industrial homicide" for neglecting health and safety standards at the mine, and

WHEREAS, following the mine disaster, in March of 2006, the Mexican government used falsified documents to remove Gomez from his position and imposed a new general secretary. The government also seized all assets of the SNTMMSRM and Gomez, and falsely accused Gomez of stealing US $55 million of the union's funds. To date, accounts remain frozen and charges are still pending against Gomez at the state level, despite the fact that charges were thrown out at the federal level, that he was reinstated to General Secretary by a federal court, and an audit commissioned by the International Metalworkers Federation established that the money is accounted for, and

WHEREAS, two SNTMMSRM members were killed by state police while striking Grupo Villacero in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan in defence of their union (at a plant subsequently bought by Mittal Steel), and
WHEREAS, a SNTMMSRM member was murdered by Grupo Mexcio thugs while peacefully meeting with fellow members seeking to enforce their legal rights after being fired by Grupo Mexico, and
WHEREAS, SNTMMSRM members are currently on strike against Grupo Mexcio in Cananea, Sonora; Taxco, Guerrero; and San Martin, Sombrerete, Zacatecas, and

WHEREAS, at eight Grupo Mexcio locations the company, with support from state and federal police and even the Mexican armed forces, has attempted to impose a company union on SNTMMSRM members, and is currently refusing to recognize the SNTMMSRM as the representative of its members in those locations, and

WHEREAS, the government's complicity in this interference in union affairs and its attack on Gomez are in direct violation of internationally recognized labor rights, particularly the International Labor Organization's convention 87, to which Mexico is a signatory, and
WHEREAS, despite all of this, membership support for the SNTMMSRM and General Secretary Gomez remains extremely strong, largely due to the fact that under Gomez's leadership the members have won unprecedented wage and benefit increases as well as educational opportunities for themselves and their families.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED Therefore be it resolved that the Central Committee mandates the IMF Leadership to apply further pressure to the Calderon government.

The leadership of the IMF,ICEM and local union shall meet early in 2008 to decide on what form of pressure needs to be put on the administration to ensure the return of Napoleon and recognition of the SNTMMSRM.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon the Mexican government and its President Filipe Calderon to stop its political persecution of Napoleon Gomez Urrutia and the SNTMMSRM; return all frozen funds immediately to the union and Napoleon Gomez Urrutia; lift all charges still pending against Napoleon Gomez Urrutia and other members of the SNTMMSRM; prosecute in a court of law, immediately and transparently, all those responsible in the corruption of documents and facts; and to investigate the involvement of Grupo Mexcio in the recent murder of Reinaldo Hernandez Gonzalez and the detention and torture of twenty SNTMMSRM members in Nacozari, Sonora.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon governments around the world to monitor whether Mexico respects these human, labor, and union rights in their dealings with Mexico and its government, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon workers and their unions around the world to support the just struggle of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros Metalugicos y Similares de la Republica de Mexico and work collectively under the banner of the International Metalworkers' Federation to carry out global actions and provide solidarity.Dec 04, 2007 – Alex Ivanou