From: xcruz@webtv.net (Robert Chavez) Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 13:37:23 -0700 To: Labor-Rap@csf.colorado.edu Subject: Fwd: Han Young: troubling signs (fwd) --WebTV-Mail-624798504-2983 --WebTV-Mail-624798504-2983 Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 08:13:55 -0700 (MST) Reply-To: dnathan@utep.edu Sender: owner-FRONTERA-L@cornell.edu From: Debbie Nathan To: frontera-L@cornell.edu Subject: Han Young: troubling signs (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 21:51:06 -0800 (PST) From: Campaign for Labor Rights To: clr@igc.org Subject: Han Young: troubling signs Labor Alerts: a service of Campaign for Labor Rights To receive our email labor alerts, send a message to CLR@igc.apc.org Phone: (541) 344-5410 Web site: http://www.compugraph.com/clr Membership/newsletter. Send $35.00 to Campaign for Labor Rights, 1247 "E" Street SE, Washington, DC 20003. Sample newsletter available on request. [Information provided by the Support Committee for Maquiladora Workers, who ask that activists seeking updates contact Campaign for Labor Rights: (541) 344-5410, ] HAN YOUNG: February 5, 1998 In this alert: Troubling signs but little firm news. Please continue with plans for February 7 demonstrations. See suggested leaflet text, below. UPDATE: In the past week, there has been a serious escalation of repressive intimidation directed at the Han Young workers and their supporters. Mary Tong of the Support Committee for Maquiladora Workers has spent almost every minute in Tijuana, dealing with that situation, and has not been available for reports to our office here at Campaign for Labor Rights. As soon as we receive more information, we will post it. Meanwhile, the NAO hearing on labor rights violations at Han Young is still scheduled for February 18. Please move forward with your plans for demonstrations of solidarity on Saturday, February 7. SUGGESTED LEAFLET TEXT [Note: The signature/address/phone information at the bottom of the suggested leaflet is for your local organizing purposes. You do not need to send it to us.] WE SUPPORT JUSTICE FOR MEXICAN WORKERS! The workers at a small factory near Tijuana are bucking the Mexican power structure in their bid to be represented by a real union. This is the first case in which workers have openly challenged the government-controlled "unions" and have succeeded in winning certification for an independent union. The Han Young workers need - and deserve! - our support as they face continuing intimidation, resistance and dirty tricks from management and government officials. The precedent being set at Han Young is an inspiration to workers at other factories in the Tijuana area - and throughout the border region. Corporations race to move their operations to Mexico, in search of low wages and no protection for workers or the environment. With the support of human rights advocates all across the United States and in many other countries, the Han Young workers are proving that we are not powerless under the rule of the global sweatshop. CONDITIONS: Han Young workers assemble chassis for tractor trailers, without even the most basic protective equipment while doing arc welding. Outmoded cranes swing out of control without warning while moving tons of metal. In this dangerous and unhealthy situation, most workers make less than 50 cents an hour - hardly enough to support their families. GOVERNMENT UNIONS: The leaders of the government-controlled union at Han Young and other factories were not elected. They negotiate "protection contracts" with management in secret. They show up at the factory only to collect pay-offs. TWO ELECTIONS: In October, the Han Young workers voted overwhelmingly to be represented by an independent union, soundly defeating a busload of phony "workers" whom the Tijuana labor board allowed to vote. Later, the labor board refused to certify the election results. In December, a majority of the workers again voted for an independent union, even though management offered large bribes to any worker who would vote for a government union. Management and government officials also tried to overturn the results of this second election. INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT: Throughout all of this struggle, unions and human rights advocates around the world have stood with the Han Young workers. Concerned citizens in more than 25 U.S. cities have demonstrated in support of these workers' rights. We are here today to show our continuing support. THE CURRENT SITUATION: In January, continuing international support and the unbreakable unity of the Han Young workers forced the Mexican government to broker an agreement guaranteeing the right of the workers to have the union of their choice. Since then, while the outlook is much more hopeful, management still has not sat down to bargain a contract with the workers. Also, recently, there have been serious threats against union organizers. Because of the human rights crisis in Mexico, such threats are not taken lightly. YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED: Until the Han Young workers have a bargained contract, we need to show that they still have our support. Please take a moment to sign the statement below. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT: I support the right of the Han Young workers to be represented by the union of their choice. Threats against these workers should stop immediately and management should bargain a contract with them in good faith. Name: ________________________________________ Call me or send me a notice by mail when there are local activities in support of the rights of sweatshop workers. Street Address: _________________________________ City/State/Zip: __________________________________ Phone: ________________________________________ This demonstration is part of a national day of action in support of the rights of the Han Young workers. National organizers are the Support Committee for Maquiladora Workers, based in San Diego, and Campaign for Labor Rights, based in Washington, DC. Locally, this event was organized by [your organization's name and contact information]. --WebTV-Mail-624798504-2983--