Posted: Wednesday, 14 October 2009
The CLC protests the government's liquidation of the plants of the Central Light and Power company of Mexico, the termination of 45,000 workers and thereby the elimination of the Mexican Electrical Workers Union (SME).
See letter below:
October 14, 2009 by e-mail: felipe.calderon@presidencia.gob.mx
Mr. Felipe Calderón
President of the United Mexican States
Government of Mexico
Dear President Calderon:
It has come to our attention that two nights ago, Mexican Federal Police seized the plants of the Central Light and Power Company of Mexico (LyF) which provides electricity to Mexico City and several states in central Mexico. Your government also announced the liquidation of the company, the termination of 45,000 workers, and thereby the elimination of the Mexican Electrical Workers Union (SME).
On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the Canadian Labour Congress, I write to protest these actions in the strongest terms, as a serious violation of internationally recognized labour standards and human rights. It is a further blemish on Mexico’s already failing democratic standards.
Canadian trade unionists join with the thousands of Mexican citizens and organizations which are horrified at the events of the past two days. Specifically,
I urge you to:
- Remove all police from workplaces of the Central Light and Power Company of Mexico;
- Revoke the liquidation of the company;
- Negotiate all issues of concern with the union.
Respect the rights of these workers, their union, and international labour and human rights standards.
Sincerely,
Kenneth V. Georgetti
President
c.c: CLC Officers and Assistants
CLC Executive Committee
The Honourable Lawwrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canada
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Minister of Labour, Canada
Sindicato Mexicano de Electricidad
CLC protests the government's liquidation of the plants of the Central Light and Power company of Mexico