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Nestlé's anti-union rage at
workers is back in the
Dominican Republic. This
time there has been an act
of provocation by a manager
--who fired two long serving
workers-- in order to break
the Nestle Union, San
Francisco (SITRANESTLEF).
Sirel discussed this
situation with Ramón
Fernández, general
coordinator of the
Grassroots Umbrella
Organization (Spanish
acronym CMP) of San
Francisco de Macorís,
organization mobilized at
present in solidarity with
the persecuted workers.
-How do you perceive the
facts at the Nestlé plant?
-For many years, we, as a
grassroots organizations of
San Francisco have had a
link of solidarity and
affection with SITRANESTLESF.
The local manager of Nestlé,Karl
Brodbeck,
has caused many internal
problems because he is
arrogant, high-handed and
his actions are aimed at
destabilizing the Union.
This person was already in a
harassment process against
workers, but now this is too
much, he has submitted two
long serving workers of the
company to a Labor Court,
these workers are: Rafael
Serrano and Juan
Ramón Durán,
who have served 25 and 26
years, respectively.
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This manager,
Peter Brodbeck,
intends to
dismiss two
long-serving
workers of the
company: Rafael
Serrano and Juan
Ramón Durán, who
have served 25
and 26 years,
respectively. |
-What has been the community
reaction to this?
-Social groups have
encouraged a reconciliation
environment through the
bishop of our Diocese and
the province authorities,
however, this manager is
still closed to any
understanding and shows no
signs of flexibility. He
does not want a civilized,
negotiated settlement, he
insists that these workers
be judged in a Court, about
which we have reasons to
suspect of partiality,
because justice here works
inappropriately, usually
against the most fragile
sectors of the population.
We have called all
grassroots organizations,
and, in case
Nestlé maintains
this attitude, of attempting
to dismiss these workers,
there are several actions
scheduled.
-What are the company
allegations to refer this
case to court?
-There has been a fictitious
set-up according to which
these workers are alleged to
have rebelled against the
manager. The facts are that
they were at an office
asking about an issue and
manager Brodbeck burst into
the place to reprimand them
for not being working. They
explained that the machine
had stopped and was being
repaired by another worker.
There was an exchange of
words and such manager
considers that the tone used
by workers was "too high",
this is why he looked for
fake witnesses to accuse Serrano and
Durán in
trial. Indeed, the
testimonies of these
witnesses were very erratic
and contradictory,
becoming clear that this is
an operation mounted by
Nestlé in
order to get rid of two long
serving workers who are
important leaders in the
community and workplace.
-What is the relation
between SITRANESTLEF and the
community of San Francisco
like?
-We have a historical
fraternal relationship
because it was the first
union of our municipality
and we share our solidarity.
The union always takes part
in our mobilizations,
training activities and so
on, just like other
organizations.
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This is an
operation
mounted to get
rid of two long
serving workers
who are
important
leaders in the
community and
the workplace. |
-What are the concrete
actions planned?
-We will mobilize at the
gates of the company and
also on the main road of the
area, where the regional
University, the Municipal
Center and the Stadium are
located, along with other
important entities.
If the company takes an
extreme decision we are
forced to take this type of
actions, although we prefer
a negotiated solution.
-What has happened with the
investigations about the
killing of Félix Ramón
Fernández, then general
secretary of SINTRANESTLESF,
in July?
-A few boys were arrested,
but no evidence has been
exhibited. We are demanding
that the State Attorney
extends the investigations
because in
spite this has the
appearance of a regular
criminal homicide, here
there have been contract
killings, through criminals
hired to execute target
individuals.
Recently, we had the case of
a young girl who was
executed by two common
criminals hired by the local
drug mafia. I mean that
there are also murderers who
seem to be common criminals
but there is a mastermind
behind. We are insisting
that the investigation goes
deeper.
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