Puma Workers Union Denied Recognition;
Victory in Burma Struggle
In this alert:
- Mexican Officials Refues Recognition of Matamoros (Puma)
workers' union. Call and Email Government Offices
- Victory for Burma Struggle! May Department Stores
Won't Stock Burma Products
1. Mexican Officials Refues Recognition of Matamoros
(Puma) workers' union. Call and Email Government Offices
CALL or EMAIL the Local Labor Board in Matamoros, demanding that they
grant SITEMAG official union recognition.
EMAIL the Governor of Puebla, Mexico and ask him to intercede on behalf
of SITEMAG.
PROTEST outside a local Mexican consulate, demanding that they put
pressure on the governor of Puebla to intercede on behalf of SITEMAG.
CALL, EMAIL or FAX a Mexican consulate and demand that they contact
the Governor of Puebla, so that he can intervene on behalf of SITEMAG.
UPDATE
The local labor board in Matamoros, Puebla, Mexico, has denied the
Sindicato Independiente de Trabajadores de la Empresa Matamoros Garment
(SITEMAG) official recognition. SITEMAG is an independent union recently
formed by workers producing Puma apparel.
This is a severe blow to the campaign for justice for Matamoros workers.
SITEMAG, along with Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT), have garnered
international support for their efforts and are now being denied official
recognition.
CAT believes Matamoros Garment, PUMA, the Local Labor Board, the C.T.M.,
and perhaps even the Izúcar de Matamoros government and the Puebla
state government have consciously orchestrated the denial of legal recognition
to SITEMAG.
BACKGROUND
Two hundred factory workers staged a work stoppage at the Matamoros
Garment Factory on January 13th, protesting the non-payment of wages,
forced overtime, the imposition of a sweetheart union and the dangerous
practice of locking workers inside the factory during work hours. They
also called for the recognition of an independent union, Sindicato Independiente
de la Empresa Matamoros Garment (SITEMAG), in conjunction with Centro
de Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT).
On Monday, March 17, 2003, Matamoros Garment informed workers that
the plant would close until further notice and that workers should pick-up
their last paychecks on Thursday, March 20. Incidentally, Thursday,
March 20, was when the 60-day waiting period was up for the Local Labor
Board to notify SITEMAG whether their petition for legal recognition
would be recognized.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
CALL or EMAIL the Local Labor Board in Matamoros, demanding that they
grant SITEMAG official union recognition.
Lic. Armando Toxqui Quintero
Presidente
Junta Local de Conciliación y Arbitraje
7 Norte 205 Colonia
Centro Puebla, Puebla, México
Tel: (222) 232-2551
Email : armando.toxqui@puebla.gob.mx
EMAIL the Governor of Puebla and ask him to intercede on
behalf of SITEMAG.
Go to this website to send an email to the Governor. http://www.puebla.gob.mx/gobierno/escribealgobernador.html
PROTEST outside a local Mexican consulate, demanding that
the governor of Puebla intercede on behalf of SITEMAG.
CALL, EMAIL or FAX a Mexican consulate near you and demand
that the Governor of Puebla intervene in this urgent
situation.
EMBASSY/CONSULATE LIST
EMBASSY OF MEXICO
1911 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20006
Tel: (202) 736-1000
Fax: (202) 234-4498
E-mail: consulwas@aol.com
Attn: Deputy Chief of Mission, Minister Mario Chacon
For a local consulate in your area, visit: www.mexonline.com/consulate.htm
back to top
Victory for Burma Struggle! May Department Stores
Won't Stock Burma Products
May Department Stores, the clothing mega-retailer, has decided not
to stock products "Made in Burma" after a vigorous campaign
spearheaded by the Free Burma Coalition and aided by the CLR network.
The two month campaign, launched in January of 2003, was quick and decisive
because of the hundreds of calls and thousands of emails received by
May Department Stores demanding they drop "Made in Burma"
products.
May Department Stores, owners of Hechts, Filenes, Kaufmanns, and Lord
and Taylor among others, was the one of the only large clothing retailers
in the US that continued to sell products "Made in Burma."
Since January 2003, 5 companies have announced a ban on Burma products,
including Saks Incorporated and Mothers Work, the largest U.S. maternity-wear
retailer.
Thanks goes out to all who emailed, called and faxed in to May Department
Stores.
For more information, visit www.freeburmacoalition.org.
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