Right to Strike and Organize Under Attack in Mexico

Earlier this year, the Mexican Supreme Court issued a ruling allowing more than 1,000 striking mineworkers to be fired.   The decision effectively eliminates the right to strike in Mexico, according to Mexican labor law experts.   The AFL-CIO, the International Metalworkers Federation, and the United Steelworkers have led international support for the mineworkers union which has been on strike at the Cananea copper mine in Northern Mexico since July 2007.  The AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center is accepting tax-deductible contributions to support the striking miners and their families.

The right to organize is also under attack in Mexico.   According to LabourStart, 30,000 workers at Mexico’s massive publicly-owned petroleum company PEMEX had finally won the right to organize but immediately saw the dismissal of 50 union members, including the entire leadership of the union.  The company has told union members that they have to resign from the union or they will be fired too.   LabourStart has posted an action alert to support the union at PEMEX.