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    Peru

 

AmBev

With Manuel Cordova

AmBev Peru announces massive layoff of workers at its Sullana factory

 

On January 16, at the first meeting of the bargaining committee and 50 days after the list of demands for the 2009 collective bargaining agreement was presented, the representatives of this subsidiary of the beer giant InBev announced the massive layoff of 40 to 50 percent of the workers on its payroll.

 

Sirel spoke with Manuel Cordova, general secretary of the Sole Federation of AmBev Peru Workers (SUTAMBEV), who gave details of the mobilizations and protests that are underway.

 

-What is the current situation at the Sullana factory?

-Last January 16, as we arrived at the first meeting to discuss the list of demands for the year, the representatives of the company told us –even before we sat down– that they had bad news for the workers, as they had to cut down personnel by 50 percent –which in numbers represents approximately 120 workers–, and that the decision was due to the factory’s financial situation and the international crisis. They also offered us the option of a collective resignation to save the factory, promising that the workers that remained would be given a participation in the earnings.

 

-What measures did you take after this announcement?

-At first it was a shock, because we really weren’t expecting it. So we asked for some time and to reconvene for a new meeting this Friday the 23rd. It should be noted that the company was reluctant to enter into negotiations, and we were only able to arrange this next meeting after much insistence from us. We immediately went public with this situation that has put Sullana factory workers in a very tight spot. We also reported it to the Labor Ministry, which can’t take any actions yet, as the company has not informed it of the layoffs. We’ve reported what happened to the General Workers’ Federation of Peru (CGTP), PLADES , and the IUF, requesting their support.

 

-What is SUTAMBEV’s position?

-Our position is to PREVENT the collective layoff, and for now we’re waiting to see what happens in Friday’s meeting, as we know that the manager, Víctor Fernández, was expected to arrive yesterday (January 20) in Brazil to meet with AmBev officers.

 

-Why do you think the layoffs were announced in the Sullana plant only, and not in Lima or Huachipa as well?

-Although the company claims that the layoffs –if confirmed– are due to the current economic situation, I personally think that the real reason is the union, which has always been a rock in the company’s shoe.

 

AmBev is using the world financial crisis and SUTAMBEV’s list of demands as an excuse to dissolve the union, or at least break it by getting rid of the main union leaders.

 

    

From Montevideo,  Amalia Antúnez

Rel-UITA

January 21, 2009

 

 

 

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