Support Striking Tarrent Workers

Information from the U.S. Labor Education in the Americas Project
Posted March 25, 2004

In June of 2003, workers at Tarrant México, a garment manufacturing plant in Ajalpan, Puebla, called a work stoppage in order to demand their legally-entitled benefits, better health and safety conditions, and a stop to sexual and verbal harassment at the factory. On June 12, with the help of the Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT), over two thirds of the 1,100 workers formed the Sindicato Único Independiente de Trabajadores de la Empresa Tarrant México (SUITTAR). Soon after, eight of the union's leaders were fired and physically removed from the plant. Tarrant management then fired more than 500 other SUITAR supporters over the next five months. Finally, in February, the Tarrant Apparel Group (TAG) announced the Ajalpan plant's closure, giving only 60% severance pay to the remaining 600 laid-off workers.

The Tarrant México factory workers were aided in their struggle by the Human and Labor Rights Commission, which succeeded in pressuring Tarrant and local labor authorities to ensure that fired workers received severance payments that are at least close to what is required by the Mexican Federal Labor Law. Martin Barrios, a coordinator of the Commission was attacked last December outside his home and office, it what seems to be a premeditated intimidation tactic. Another labor organizer in Puebla, the lawyer Griselda Tirado Evangelio, was assassinated in August of last year.

The Tarrant Apparel Group, which supplies prominent clothing lines in the United States, including Wet Seal, Express, and Levi's, has perpetrated atrocious anti-union activities, and violated the basic labor rights of their employees. Levi's has stepped forward to meet with the fired workers and the CAT, in an attempt to force TAG to recognize the Puebla state government of code of conduct and Mexican labor law.

Two of the workers from the Tarrant plant are coming to the U.S. to make their story heard and protest these labor rights violations. There will be events in California and Ohio. Read below to find out where and how you can participate. The workers, along with a representative of the Centro de Apoyo del Trabajador (CAT), will also be testifying in front of the National Administrative Office in Washington, DC about the failure of NAFTA to ensure workers' rights. This will be the first time the NAO has reviewed a garment maquiladora case in the past ten years of NAFTA.

COME OUT IN SOLIDARITY!

Protest & Rally in L.A.
Friday, March 26th
11am
Tarrant L.A. Headquarters
3151 E. Washington Blvd.

Workers Speakout!
Monday, March 29th
7pm
University of Cincinnati
McMicken 127. (off of Clinton Ave.)

Protest & Rally
Tuesday, March 30th
Noon
Federated Department Stores Headquarters
7 West Seventh St.