21st STIBYS Extraordinary Congress  SABMiller agreement ratified

On January 14-16, the Union of Beverage and Related Industry Workers (STIBYS) held its 21^st Extraordinary Congress in the city of San Pedro Sula. The two issues on the agenda were ratifying the new collective bargaining agreement signed with Cervecería Hondureña SA (SABMiller / Coca Cola) and examining the Strategic Program and Work Plan for the next two years.

“Calling a session to ratify or reject what STIBYS’s Negotiating Committee achieved after 13 months of negotiations with SABMiller is part of our internal democracy process,” STIBYS president Carlos H. Reyes told Sirel.

After a thorough and open debate, the 77 delegates from around the country unanimously ratified the collective bargaining agreement signed with the British-South African multinational corporation, which was seen as a major gain achieved by the workers.

“It was a tough negotiation, but we made significant progress, especially in terms of labor stability and the strengthening of permanent employment over temporary employment and outsourcing.”

“In this sense, we secured a commitment to have all permanent work performed by permanent workers only, recovering 87 jobs for permanent workers. I want to highlight that this gain was achieved not only through the determination and activism of our organization, but also thanks to the unconditional and ongoing support of IUF Latin America (Rel-UITA), which has always stood by Honduran workers, offering us their unwavering solidarity,” Reyes said.

Reyes, who is also a member of the IUF’s International Executive Committee, went on to say that having prioritized the struggle against outsourcing and temporary employment –two key elements in the casualization of work – was instrumental in guaranteeing the union’s survival and ensuring that collective bargaining is accepted as a legitimate instrument for worker-employer relations.

Several delegates at the congress spoke of the significance of the efforts made by STIBYS’s Negotiating Committee, while highlighting the importance of being part of this organization.

“I sometimes look at my son and wife and I ask myself what would happen to my family if I didn’t have a strong union supporting me and defending my rights as a worker. I’m proud to belong to STIBYS, because I know that it has all been worth it”, Sub Division 1-1 president Walter Valle said.

Strategic Program

As a result of the discussion process in the Central Governing Committee and in view of the 2009 coup and its consequences, a new revised version of the STIBYS Strategic Program (2008-2013) and 2012-2013 Work Plan was presented for consideration.

Five broad strategic lines of action were identified: strengthening the organization and fighting against outsourcing and casualization; defending and improving collective bargaining; union communication and education; work environment; and political action and influence towards refounding and democratizing the nation.

“We’re talking about very specific actions and goals, and we’ve proved this through the collective bargaining process with SABMiller. We also need to further our education efforts, strengthen class awareness among workers and enhance our political actions,” Reyes explained.

Lastly, the president of STIBYS made a very positive assessment of the Congress, praising the delegates for the extensive discussion and reflection on what the organization wants and what it needs to do to get it.

Also presented was a detailed report on the collective bargaining processes with Embotelladora La Reyna SA (CABCop/PepsiCo) and Fábrica de Aguardiente El Buen Gusto, both currently at the mediation stage.

“We still face great threats and have a lot weaknesses, but we’re very proud of what we’ve achieved. We have to continue moving forward, struggling and improving our actions. Rel-UITA has been an invaluable ally, with its solidarity and unconditional support,” the trade union leader concluded.

Carlos H. Reyes, presidente del STIBYS