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 Business News | April 2006 
Labor Heads Call for Work Stoppage
 Wire services/El Universal
| | Francisco Hernández Juárez (c) |
Labor leaders called on workers nationwide to walk off their jobs for an hour on April 28 to protest what they describe as government interference in internal union affairs.
The walkout is aimed at forcing the government to reinstate the president of the miners and metalworkers union, Napoleón Gómez, who was removed Feb. 17 on accusations of corruption, said Francisco Hernández Juárez, president of Mexico´s No. 2 labor umbrella group.
"We´re trying to find a solution that avoids a conflict," he said at a news conference in Mexico City. "The most important thing is to respect the leadership of Napoleón."
The move against Gómez has sparked the country´s most serious labor conflict since President Vicente Fox took office in 2000. The 250,000-member union says the government acted at the behest of Grupo México SA, the nation´s largest copper company, and Grupo Villacero, the country´s largest maker of steel reinforcing bars, because Gómez was pressing wage demands and led strikes.
A strike against Grupo México, the world´s seventh-largest copper producer, continued for a 17th day at its La Caridad copper mine to support Gómez and press demands for a new contract.
Unions may plan more nationwide work stoppages in June unless the dispute is resolved, Hernández said. Union leaders are seeking a meeting with Fox before April 28, Hernández said.
The Labor Secretariat declared the strike at La Caridad illegal on March 24 because proper procedures weren´t followed in calling the walkout, said Juan Rebolledo, spokesman for Mexico City-based Grupo México. The company is seeking help from Sonora state to lift a picket line at the La Caridad plant, enabling the company to operate the concentrator with contractors.
"We are still waiting for the authorities to act," Rebolledo said. "They have told us that they are getting prepared."
Workers from the miners and steelworkers union are also on strike at a steel plant owned by Grupo Villacero SA.
BREAKING RANKS
Altos Hornos de México SA, the nation´s largest steelmaker, broke ranks with Grupo México and Villacero on Monday by calling on Labor Secreatry Francisco Salazar to stay out of the union leadership dispute.
Altos Hornos´ statement, in a full-page ad in a local daily, said Salazar is causing "chaos" in the country´s miners and steelworkers union.
"We don´t understand what dark interests are being served by the current chaos," Altos Hornos said the advertisement. The Labor Secretariat is "causing conflicts that interrupt labor tranquility, pit workers against authorities and hurt the companies."
The stoppage is costing Grupo México about US$2.5 million a day in lost production at La Caridad, the country´s second-largest copper mine. As many as 1,000 workers are demanding new labor contracts and improved working conditions after a Feb. 19 blast killed 65 of the company´s coal miners.
La Caridad produces 250,000 tons of refined copper a year. Grupo México has already begun firing some La Caridad workers participating in the strike, Rebolledo said on Monday. |
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