The continued violations of the right to freedom of association by the Mexican government must stop. The IMF, ICEM, ITF and UNI are calling on affiliates to take action from 14 to 19 February, 2011.
On February 19, 2006 an explosion at Grupo México's Pasta de Conchos coal mine in the northern state of Coahuila resulted in the deaths of 65 miners.
Almost five years later, the bodies of 63 of the 65 miners that died at Pasta de Conchos remain buried and the Mexican government has failed to investigate or prosecute those responsible. Their widows and families have never been properly compensated.
Since 2006 the Mexican government has escalated its illegal and violent attacks on the Mexican Miners' Union (SNTMMSRM/Los Mineros), the union that demanded justice for the "industrial homicide" at Pasta de Conchos and the recovery of the miners' bodies.
The Mexican government has systematically and repeatedly violated Mexican law and international standards in an attempt to crush the Mexican Miners' Union.
The Mexican Miners' Union is not alone. The few other genuinely independent trade unions seeking to improve the lives of Mexican workers have also found themselves increasingly under fire.
The continued violations of the right to freedom of association by the Mexican government must stop.
The IMF, ICEM, ITF and UNI are calling on affiliates to take action from February 14 until and as close as possible to the fifth anniversary of the Pasta de Conchos tragedy on February 19.
Join us in calling on the Mexican government to:
1.Hold employer and government officials accountable for the Pasta de Conchos mine explosion that killed 65 miners on February 19, 2006.
2.Abolish systemic violations of workers' freedom of association, including employer-dominated "protection contracts" and interference in union elections.
3.End the use of force-by the state or private parties-to repress workers' legitimate demands for democratic unions, better wages and working conditions, and good health and safety conditions.
4.End the campaign of political persecution against the Mexican Miner's Union and the Mexican Electrical Workers' Union.
To support these demands we ask that your union to:
•Demonstrate at and meetings with the Mexican embassy or consulate in your country to deliver a letter of protest to the Mexican government;
•Meet with and briefing politicians in your own country who may have some influence on the Mexican government through international negotiations on trade or human rights;
•Seek meetings with investors and clients of these Mexican companies to outline the violation of fundamental rights; and
•Hold press conferences, stage media events and/or sending letters to editors to bring public awareness to the situation in Mexico.
Send details on your actions to:
unionrights@imfmetal.org
Almost five years later, the bodies of 63 of the 65 miners that died at Pasta de Conchos remain buried and the Mexican government has failed to investigate or prosecute those responsible. Their widows and families have never been properly compensated.
Since 2006 the Mexican government has escalated its illegal and violent attacks on the Mexican Miners' Union (SNTMMSRM/Los Mineros), the union that demanded justice for the "industrial homicide" at Pasta de Conchos and the recovery of the miners' bodies.
The Mexican government has systematically and repeatedly violated Mexican law and international standards in an attempt to crush the Mexican Miners' Union.
The Mexican Miners' Union is not alone. The few other genuinely independent trade unions seeking to improve the lives of Mexican workers have also found themselves increasingly under fire.
The continued violations of the right to freedom of association by the Mexican government must stop.
The IMF, ICEM, ITF and UNI are calling on affiliates to take action from February 14 until and as close as possible to the fifth anniversary of the Pasta de Conchos tragedy on February 19.
Join us in calling on the Mexican government to:
1.Hold employer and government officials accountable for the Pasta de Conchos mine explosion that killed 65 miners on February 19, 2006.
2.Abolish systemic violations of workers' freedom of association, including employer-dominated "protection contracts" and interference in union elections.
3.End the use of force-by the state or private parties-to repress workers' legitimate demands for democratic unions, better wages and working conditions, and good health and safety conditions.
4.End the campaign of political persecution against the Mexican Miner's Union and the Mexican Electrical Workers' Union.
To support these demands we ask that your union to:
•Demonstrate at and meetings with the Mexican embassy or consulate in your country to deliver a letter of protest to the Mexican government;
•Meet with and briefing politicians in your own country who may have some influence on the Mexican government through international negotiations on trade or human rights;
•Seek meetings with investors and clients of these Mexican companies to outline the violation of fundamental rights; and
•Hold press conferences, stage media events and/or sending letters to editors to bring public awareness to the situation in Mexico.
Send details on your actions to:
unionrights@imfmetal.org 
