IWW Resolution of Solidarity with Striking Miners in Mexico
Submitted on Fri, 04/28/2006 - 8:36pm
The International Solidarity Commission of the Industrial Workers of the World stands in solidarity with rank and file members of the Mexican Miner's Union (SNTMMRM) who are demanding the right to their union officials of choice, and whom are engaged in active resistance through the occupation of the SICARTSA steel mill in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan. We condemn the violence against protesting union members, including the murder of at least three workers at SICARTSA, by police and military forces acting under the orders of the Mexican state and federal governments, and in cooperation with the interests of the Villacero Group management.
For decades, the Mexican government has served the interests of national and international capital by seeking to control the workers' movements in the country. These efforts, which have seen the repression of workers demanding independent and democratic unions has continued into the NAFTA era, with the intent of keeping Mexico's workers impoverished and desperate. Mexican workers have always claimed their dignity and resisted. It is in the last few years, that real successes have been made in the struggle for union freedom, with which workers have a strong tool to improve their standard of living. The IWW offers our sincerest hopes for this movement, and extends our support where this is possible.
The IWW demands that all levels of the Mexican government end their repression of protesting miners and steelworkers and withdraw their police and military forces from the SICARTSA steel mill and that the union autonomy of the SNTMMRM is respected.
Sincerely,
International Solidarity Commission, IWW