Chile

 

Strike continues

as Prolesur fails

to better its proposal

   

More than a week after the 120 workers of the Soprole (FONTERRA) subsidiary Prolesur in the province of Osorno launched a strike, the plant’s activities are still paralyzed and a hunger strike may soon be called if a solution to the conflict is not found soon.

 

On Tuesday, June 14, management proposed a 5.02 percent raise in wages and increases in vacation bonuses and certain other benefits.

 

This offer was rejected by the workers at Prolesur-Osorno, as only a month and a half ago Soprole-Fonterra signed an agreement with Los Lagos workers granting them a 7 percent raise and double the benefits it offers at the Osorno plant.

 

According to Aldo Lezana, president of the Chilean Federation of Dairy Company Workers’ Unions (FENATRAL), who is in Osorno supporting the striking workers, “Prolesur’s attitude is insulting. This is clearly a case of flagrant wage and benefit discrimination within the same company, and that goes against every ILO agreement signed by Chile.

 

The plant’s workers, who continue with mobilizations and ongoing discussions, are firm in their objective of obtaining a wage adjustment that matches the tasks they perform, and they’re asking Fonterra –the parent company– to step in and revise this situation.

 

“We don’t know what this work stoppage at the plant is costing Fonterra. The workers are committed, and they waited three years to present their list of demands, which correspond to Prolesur’s situation,” Lezana said.

 

“If a solution is not found soon, the workers will resort to a hunger strike.”

 

From Montevideo, Amalia Antúnez

Rel-UITA

June 16, 2011

 

 

 

 

  Foto: FENATRAL

 

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  UITA - Secretaría Regional Latinoamericana - Montevideo - Uruguay

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