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GLOBAL: On December 11 around the world, metalworkers marched in support of union autonomy and the reinstatement of Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, general secretary of the Mexican Metalworkers’ and Miners’ Union (SNTMMSRM) who was removed from his position by the Mexican authorities.
More than 60 affiliates of the International Metalworkers’ Federation from 37 countries participated in the day of solidarity.
In Moscow, under the gaze of police, trade union leaders and activists from all IMF Russian affiliates picketed in front of the Mexican embassy and delivered a joint petition to the Mexican ambassador in Moscow, urging him to deliver message of concern of Russian unionists about the situation with Napoleón Gómez and SNTMMSRM.
Meanwhile, Executive Committee members of the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) representing 6.6 million workers in Europe met in Luxembourg and unanimously resolved to support the SNTMMSRM and protest the Mexican government’s attack on union rights.
In Seoul, union leaders from the Korean Metal Workers Federation (KMWF) and other labour groups staged a demonstration in front of the Mexican embassy holding signs and raising fists for labour rights in Mexico.
IMF affiliates in Latin America held mass protests and high-level meetings with embassy representatives to discuss the growing dangers for union members in Mexico and ask that Mexican officials use their influence to urge the new Mexican government to recognize Napoleón Gómez as leader of the SNTMMSRM.
“As metalworkers, unionists, and people who believe that social and economic justice are not just words, but ideals to live by and fight for, we ask that you use your considerable influence with the Mexican Labour Ministry and Mexican government and encourage them to reinstate Napoleon as the democratically elected leader of the SNTMMSRM as he so rightfully is,” stated a letter from the Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW) sent to the Mexican ambassador in Ottawa.
A delegation of SNTMMSRM members met with new labour minister, Javier Lozano Alarcón a few days before the solidarity effort. Alarcón has publicly stated he will respect union autonomy. The miners’ union is hoping that their efforts with the support of the international labour movement will move the Mexican labour ministry towards reinstating Napoleón Gómez as the union’s democratically-elected leader.
For more information about the December 11 action or the IMF campaign on Mexico, visit: www.imfmetal.org/mexico
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