The Union of Workers of Industrial Bananera Noboa "Los Álamos" achieved legal standing as a labor organization, setting a major precedent for workers in Ecuador’s banana sector, traditionally known for its rate low unionization. Sirel spoke with Ángel Rivero, president of the National Federation of Agroindustry Workers, Peasants and Free Indigenous People of Ecuador (FENACLE), to learn more about this gain and the future of the struggle.

 

-What impact did the legal establishment of the first union of workers of an Álvaro Noboa plantation have?

-Just a few years ago this was something unthinkable, so it’s a historical development, more so considering the unyieldingly antiunion attitude of Corporación Noboa and the political and economic power it wields in the country.

 

This legalization sets a precedent, not only for workers in the banana sector but for workers in other sectors as well, who were awaiting the outcome of this initiative to begin organizing their own unions.

 

We have to acknowledge the current government’s support in enforcing the workers’ right to unionize.

 

On the other hand, the company’s efforts to undermine the initiative by paying workers not to join the union was a complete failure. After that failed attempt we were able to sign up 750 workers as members of the union, out of the 1,246 who work in the Los Álamos plantation. That’s 600 more workers than we had initially.

 

This is a victory of the workers and FENACLE.

 

-What were the first measures the union took?

-The first measure was to submit a list of demands, which we did yesterday, May 18, putting our labor demands in writing.

 

The most important of these demands are the reinstatement of the workers fired on April 19, the payment of back wages dating back five years, the payment of overtime and vacation pay, wage raises and improvements in working conditions.

 

-What do you think is going to happen now?

-We think the company is going to strike back hard and reject our list of demands. If it does, the union will consider its refusal as grounds for a strike. Right now we have to wait for all three notices to be issued to the company, and then, whatever happens, will take it from there.

 

I personally think that, considering the new political context in Ecuador and the pressure the government is putting on companies to observe the international conventions signed by the country regarding workers’ rights, the Los Álamos banana company will have to agree to at least sit down and negotiate with the union.