Josu Onaindi is secretary general of CCOO-Euskadi and member of the CCOO national governing board. He is currently in El Salvador heading a delegation which also includes Felisa Piedra, secretary of Women and International Affairs, and Lourdes García, Training and Employment secretary, with the purpose of visiting various trade unions, and in particular the Calvo Conservas Division of SGTIPAC, where a savage antiunion policy is being applied. Sirel spoke with him about this.

-How do you see the situation in this company?

-The situation at Calvo Conservas of El Salvador is a blatant case of violation of the basic rights of workers and unions. This company’s breach of Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labor Organization (ILO), which protect the right of workers to organize in the workplace, has curtailed that possibility, and when they have tried to organize they’ve had three fellow workers fired. We have found that this company, which has boasted in El Salvador that it complies with ILO standards, actually does not, it’s not true what they claim; and the worst thing is that it has been receiving support from the European Union in the understanding that it has been complying with conventions that entail the respect of workers’ rights. When it comes down to it, there are three union members fired from Calvo Conservas because of their union activities. And what’s even worse, and most flagrant, is that the company refuses to meet with our Union, which has a significant representation in Calvo companies in Spain. I think we must firmly denounce this company’s antiunion conduct.

-You were there yesterday, at the plant’s gate, requesting an interview that was denied …

-That’s correct.

-Does the Calvo company in Spain have the same attitude?

-No, absolutely not, it maintains good working relations with the unions, one of which is affiliated to the UGT (General Workers’ Confederation) and the other to Comisiones Obreras (Confederation of Workers’ Commissions). What they’re doing here is curtailing workers’ rights and denying them the possibility of conducting any union activities. In addition, they’ve imposed totally appalling working conditions, like the presence of armed guards inside the plant, which constitutes an intimidation against the workers, besides being a risk, as the floor is always wet, the guards don’t wear proper footgear, and a slip could result in one of the workers getting shot.

-How do you see the local Union?

-We’ve had some meetings and I’ve found them in pretty good spirits. They’re very determined to continue working, increase their membership, and achieve their demands.

-How will the delegation proceed now?

-We were able to contact company management by phone, and were told that they will meet with us next Friday the 18^th, but we don’t know what will happen then.

Carlos Amorín © Rel-UITA May 11, 2007

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