Panamá  | TRADE UNIONS

 

 

 

 

With Alejandro John

SABMiller persists with

its savage antiunionism

  

 

After holding workers against their will for refusing to sign a veiled dismissal, Cervecería Nacional (SABMiller) now suspends over 20 workers for observing a union measure.

 

Following the attack on the rights of its union members, who were taken hostage by the company last May 4 as a way of pressuring them into signing their own dismissal, the Industrial Union of Soft Drink, Beverage, Soda, Beer, Liquor and Similar Beverage Production and Distribution Workers (SITRAFCOREBGASCELIS) staged a work stoppage on Tuesday, May 8, which included preventing delivery trucks from distributing the transnational corporation’s products. Sirel spoke with SITRAFCOREBGASCELIS president Alejandro John to learn more details of this measure and the steps the union plans to take next.

 

-How was the work stoppage decided by the union conducted?

-In some distribution centers the work stoppage was not complete, because there is another union that represents workers in the company, but at the Chiriquí unit, which was where workers were held against their will, the stoppage was observed by all the workers.

 

-Did SABMiller react in any way to this measure?

-Yes, and with the savage antiunionism it is known for it launched another attack, suspending 24  workers for three days. This measure, like the one that gave rise to the conflict, is illegal.

 

-Have the Labor Ministry authorities given any attention to the conflict?

-The General Labor Board is currently acting as mediator in the matter and it is expected that both parties will be summoned this week to try to reach an agreement and solve the conflict. This would involve SABMiller withdrawing the attempted dismissals and canceling the suspensions of the workers who observed the union measure on May 8.

 

Also pending is a criminal action filed by our labor organization against four officers of Cervecería Nacional (SABMiller) for deprivation of the workers’ liberty.

 

-How does the union expect this situation to unfold?

-Worker morale is high. They’ve started to realize the kind of company SABMiller is, but, more importantly, they’ve received expressions of solidarity from around the world, which give them strength to face these attacks.

 

We’d like to thank the IUF for its swift and timely intervention with the letter it sent to our president, Ricardo Martinelli, and also the IUF’s affiliates for their support to our struggle.

 

In addition, we would like to communicate that the union is firm in its conviction to stop SABMIller’s antiunionism, which it spreads to every national company it acquires.

 

 

 

From Montevideo, Amalia Antúnez

Rel-UITA

May 10, 2012

 

 

 

 

Photo: Gerardo iglesias

 

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  UITA - Secretaría Regional Latinoamericana - Montevideo - Uruguay

Wilson Ferreira Aldunate 1229 / 201 - Tel. (598 2) 900 7473 -  902 1048 -  Fax 903 0905