From: xcruz@webtv.net (Robert Chavez) Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 16:48:09 -0700 To: Labor-Rap@csf.colorado.edu Subject: Fwd: [CLR] TIJUANA, BCN: HAN YOUNG UNION BUSTING (fwd) --WebTV-Mail-1727680734-3831 --WebTV-Mail-1727680734-3831 Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 15:39:44 -0800 (PST) Reply-To: 2000seradc@galaxy.UCR.EDU Originator: 2000seradc@listserv Sender: 2000seradc@galaxy.UCR.EDU From: Roberto Calderon To: xcruz@webtv.net Subject: [CLR] TIJUANA, BCN: HAN YOUNG UNION BUSTING (fwd) X-Comment: Discussion/Advocacy of Human, Labor & Civil Rights Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 14:55:37 -0800 (PST) From: Campaign for Labor Rights To: clr@igc.org Subject: Han Young union busting 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 UNION-BUSTING TACTICS February 6, 1998 After Hyundai-facilitated talks last week between Han Young management and representatives of the workers, Han Young began a new, escalated campaign to break the independent union. The CROC representative who installed himself as human resources director at Han Young has been stepping up pressure against STIMAHCS supporters. If STIMAHCS supporters show up half a minute late, they are suspended for three days. STIMAHCS supporters are not allowed to take breaks, even to use the bathroom. However, the human resources director allows CROC supporters to come late, leave early and take breaks without any penalties whatsoever. Han Young has been offering a wage increase of 15 pesos a day (approximately $1 U.S., approximately $1.40 Canadian) to any workers who agree to sign a paper naming the CROC (one of the government-controlled unions) as their representative. Keep in mind, that most of these workers receive a daily wage equivalent to about $4 U.S. or $5.70 Canadian. So, this illegal bribe would constitute a very substantial increase in their daily wages. Because the Han Young workers are so united in their demand to be represented by an independent union, the bribe has not been effective in undermining the majority support for STIMAHCS. Therefore, management has put 20 new "workers" on the books as CROC supporters. These phantom employees are not doing work at the plant. Furthermore, reliable sources have indicated that the company has sent a representative to Vera Cruz to hire another 40 replacement workers, to build up a pro-CROC workforce (phantom or otherwise) to outvote the union supporters at the plant. Also, there have been about 15 CROC supporters hired by the CROC human resources manager; although these employees actually work in the plant, they are allowed to come and go at will, taking leaves of absence whenever they wish. Two workers have been denied bonuses given to other workers. These two were explicitly told that they were being punished for supporting STIMAHCS. There are numerous other illegal wage irregularities being used against other STIMAHCS supporters. There are growing concerns about health and safety at the plant. This is especially true since the recent torrential rains in the region. Workers are standing in pools of water using faulty electrical equipment held together with tape. STIMAHCS supporters cannot get new safety equipment (gloves, masks, etc.) but such equipment is readily available to CROC supporters. Last week, one of the faulty cranes at the plant dropped part of a chassis on a worker's hand, injuring him. The lawyer for Han Young (who also for many years has had strong links with the CROC and the CTM government unions) has been extremely hostile since the talks began last week. The company has failed to follow up on its promises to resume talks this week. The workers are now examining various legal avenues to take in response to the company's violations of the Mexican labor code, the January 14 agreements and the existing contract. There also are concerns about a generally more repressive stance being taken some elements in the Mexican government. Given the human rights crisis in Mexico - which includes increasing violence and illegalities - such threatening moves are viewed with grave concern. It is crucial for human rights advocates to show their continuing support for the Han Young workers. Please move forward with your plans for demonstrations on Saturday, February 7. The Mexican government needs to know that any repression against these workers will cost Mexico substantial damage to its international reputation. The NAO complaint (the process established under NAFTA's labor side agreement) is still scheduled for February 18. The workers continue to make their own strategy decisions. They are strong, united and clear about what they want. The role of the Support Committee for Maquiladora workers is to stay informed about the situation and the find out what the workers want from international solidarity and then to take that information to the workers' international supporters. PLEASE CONTINUE WITH YOUR PLANS FOR DEMONSTRATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE HAN YOUNG WORKERS. If you cannot organize a demonstration by February 7, please try to plan demonstrations of support for another date - at your earliest convenience. Please continue to send faxes to the Han Young lawyer, as indicated in previous alerts. [Note: Many people do not have access to a fax machine. Also, many labor rights violations are crises requiring an immediate reaction. To find out how to subscribe to the Labor Defense Network (which will send faxes in your name in response to violations of workers' rights in Mexico and Central America), contact (202)544-9355 or .] It is important now for the Mexican federal government to continue its intervention. The first need is for the government to see to it that the CROC representative is removed from his position as human resources director at Han Young. His presence there is in violation of the January 14 agreements, which stipulated that the CROC and the CTM were to cease all interference at the factory. Local activists: please include that message in any statements you make to the press. Also, if there is a Mexican consulate in your community, please deliver a letter on Monday asking for a resumption of Mexican federal intervention at Han Young, especially to have the CROC rep removed from his position at the plant. --WebTV-Mail-1727680734-3831--