A-Infos (en) Han Young: troubling signs

["Shawn Ewald" <shawn@wilshire.net>]

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     A - I N F O S  N E W S  S E R V I C E
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------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date:          Thu, 5 Feb 1998 21:45:56 -0800 (PST)
To:            clr@igc.org
From:          Campaign for Labor Rights <clr@igc.apc.org>
Subject:       Han Young: troubling signs

Labor Alerts: a service of Campaign for Labor Rights
To receive our email labor alerts, send a message to CLR@igc.apc.org
Phone: (541) 344-5410       Web site: http://www.compugraph.com/clr
Membership/newsletter. Send $35.00 to Campaign for Labor Rights, 1247 "E"
Street SE, Washington, DC 20003. Sample newsletter available on request.

[Information provided by the Support Committee for Maquiladora Workers, who
ask that activists seeking updates contact Campaign for Labor Rights: (541)
344-5410, <CLR@igc.apc.org>]

HAN YOUNG: February 5, 1998
In this alert: Troubling signs but little firm news. Please continue with
plans for February 7 demonstrations. See suggested leaflet text, below.

UPDATE: In the past week, there has been a serious escalation of repressive
intimidation directed at the Han Young workers and their supporters. Mary
Tong of the Support Committee for Maquiladora Workers has spent almost every
minute in Tijuana, dealing with that situation, and has not been available
for reports to our office here at Campaign for Labor Rights. As soon as we
receive more information, we will post it. Meanwhile, the NAO hearing on
labor rights violations at Han Young is still scheduled for February 18.
Please move forward with your plans for demonstrations of solidarity on
Saturday, February 7.

SUGGESTED LEAFLET TEXT
[Note: The signature/address/phone information at the bottom of the
suggested leaflet is for your local organizing purposes. You do not need to
send it to us.]

WE SUPPORT
JUSTICE FOR MEXICAN WORKERS!

The workers at a small factory near Tijuana are bucking the Mexican power
structure in their bid to be represented by a real union. This is the first
case in which workers have openly challenged the government-controlled
"unions" and have succeeded in winning certification for an independent
union. The Han Young workers need - and deserve! - our support as they face
continuing intimidation, resistance and dirty tricks from management and
government officials.

The precedent being set at Han Young is an inspiration to workers at other
factories in the Tijuana area - and throughout the border region.
Corporations race to move their operations to Mexico, in search of low wages
and no protection for workers or the environment. With the support of human
rights advocates all across the United States and in many other countries,
the Han Young workers are proving that we are not powerless under the rule
of the global sweatshop.

CONDITIONS: Han Young workers assemble chassis for tractor trailers, without
even the most basic protective equipment while doing arc welding. Outmoded
cranes swing out of control without warning while moving tons of metal. In
this dangerous and unhealthy situation, most workers make less than 50 cents
an hour - hardly enough to support their families.

GOVERNMENT UNIONS: The leaders of the government-controlled union at Han
Young and other factories were not elected. They negotiate "protection
contracts" with management in secret. They show up at the factory only to
collect pay-offs.

TWO ELECTIONS: In October, the Han Young workers voted overwhelmingly to be
represented by an independent union, soundly defeating a busload of phony
"workers" whom the Tijuana labor board allowed to vote. Later, the labor
board refused to certify the election results. In December, a majority of
the workers again voted for an independent union, even though management
offered large bribes to any worker who would vote for a government union.
Management and government officials also tried to overturn the results of
this second election.

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT: Throughout all of this struggle, unions and human
rights advocates around the world have stood with the Han Young workers.
Concerned citizens in more than 25 U.S. cities have demonstrated in support
of these workers' rights. We are here today to show our continuing support.

THE CURRENT SITUATION: In January, continuing international support and the
unbreakable unity of the Han Young workers forced the Mexican government to
broker an agreement guaranteeing the right of the workers to have the union
of their choice. Since then, while the outlook is much more hopeful,
management still has not sat down to bargain a contract with the workers.
Also, recently, there have been serious threats against union organizers.
Because of the human rights crisis in Mexico, such threats are not taken
lightly.

YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED: Until the Han Young workers have a bargained
contract, we need to show that they still have our support. Please take a
moment to sign the statement below.

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT:
I support the right of the Han Young workers to be represented by the union
of their choice. Threats against these workers should stop immediately and
management should bargain a contract with them in good faith.

Name: ________________________________________

Call me or send me a notice by mail when there are local activities in
support of the rights of sweatshop workers.

Street Address: _________________________________

City/State/Zip: __________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________

This demonstration is part of a national day of action in support of the
rights of the Han Young workers. National organizers are the Support
Committee for Maquiladora Workers, based in San Diego, and Campaign for
Labor Rights, based in Washington, DC. Locally, this event was organized by
[your organization's name and contact information].


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