Resolution No. 8

In Solidarity with the Mexican Electrical Workers Union (SME) Struggle in Mexico

Independent trade unionists in Mexico are in desperate need of international labour solidarity. They face a government attack that represents the latest cruel example of privatization as a key tactic used to advance neo-liberal economic policies which damage the interests of the working class worldwide.

Mexican President Felipe Calderón recently ordered federal police to seize the power plants operated by the Mexican Electrical Workers Union (SME), while simultaneously liquidating the state-owned Light and Power Company, and firing the entire workforce of approximately 44,000 employees. Some 22,000 retirees and 1,500 union technical school trainees were also affected. Five days before taking this action, the government refused to accord legal recognition to the democratically elected president of the Mexican Electrical Workers’ Union, Martín Esparza, although this should have been a routine matter.

These actions violate both Mexican law and the commitments assumed by Mexico before the international community, specifically conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organization. They have outraged trade unionists across the globe.

The New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI) condemns this blatant violation of labour and human rights, and joins with union allies in the Americas, including the Authentic Workers Front of Mexico (FAT) and the United Electrical Workers (UE) of the United States, in calling for the Mexican government to take the following steps:

  • Revoke the decree liquidating the state-owned light and power company, Luz y Fuerza del Centro;
  • Reinstate the workers who have been fired and respect their labour rights;
  • Respect the Mexican Electrical Workers’ Union’s collective agreement; and
  • Unconditionally recognise the SME’s democratically elected union leadership and negotiate in good faith with them for a just resolution to this dispute.

NTUI will present these demands in writing to the Mexican Embassy in India and will communicate them directly to President Calderon in Mexico by fax or letter. Together with other organisations around the world, NTUI will closely monitor the response of the Mexican government in the coming period.

Acting on its core principles of Unity, Militancy and Democracy, NTUI will send a solidarity message to the besieged union, SME, emphasising its support for this crucial struggle against privatisation and neo-liberalism.

Proposer: V B Cherian, Cochin Shipyard Employees Union/ Kerala
Seconder: Milind Ranade, Kachra Vahatuk Shramik Sangh/ Maharashtra

15 December 2009