|
After holding workers against their will for refusing to sign a veiled
dismissal, Cervecería Nacional (SABMiller) now suspends over 20 workers for
observing a union measure.
Following the attack on
the rights of its union members, who were taken hostage by the company last May
4 as a way of pressuring them into signing their own dismissal, the Industrial
Union of Soft Drink, Beverage, Soda, Beer, Liquor and Similar Beverage
Production and Distribution Workers (SITRAFCOREBGASCELIS) staged a work
stoppage on Tuesday, May 8, which included preventing delivery trucks from
distributing the transnational corporation’s products.
Sirel spoke with
SITRAFCOREBGASCELIS president Alejandro John to learn more details of
this measure and the steps the union plans to take next.
-How was the work
stoppage decided by the union conducted?
-In some distribution
centers the work stoppage was not complete, because there is another union that
represents workers in the company, but at the Chiriquí unit, which was where
workers were held against their will, the stoppage was observed by all the
workers.
-Did SABMiller react in
any way to this measure?
-Yes, and with the
savage antiunionism it is known for it launched another attack, suspending 24
workers for three days. This measure, like the one that gave rise to the
conflict, is illegal.
-Have the Labor
Ministry authorities given any attention to the conflict?
-The General Labor
Board is currently acting as mediator in the matter and it is expected that both
parties will be summoned this week to try to reach an agreement and solve the
conflict. This would involve SABMiller withdrawing the attempted
dismissals and canceling the suspensions of the workers who observed the union
measure on May 8.
Also pending is a
criminal action filed by our labor organization against four officers of
Cervecería Nacional (SABMiller) for deprivation of the workers’ liberty.
-How does the union
expect this situation to unfold?
-Worker morale is high.
They’ve started to realize the kind of company SABMiller is, but, more
importantly, they’ve received expressions of solidarity from around the world,
which give them strength to face these attacks.
We’d like to thank the
IUF for its swift and timely intervention with the letter it sent to our
president, Ricardo Martinelli, and also the IUF’s affiliates for
their support to our struggle.
In addition, we would
like to communicate that the union is firm in its conviction to stop
SABMIller’s antiunionism, which it spreads to every national company it
acquires.
|
