A-Infos (en) Han Young union busting

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

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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
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[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 UNION-BUSTING TACTICS
February 6, 1998

After Hyundai-facilitated talks last week between Han Young management and
representatives of the workers, Han Young began a new, escalated campaign to
break the independent union.

The CROC representative who installed himself as human resources director at
Han Young has been stepping up pressure against STIMAHCS supporters. If
STIMAHCS supporters show up half a minute late, they are suspended for three
days. STIMAHCS supporters are not allowed to take breaks, even to use the
bathroom. However, the human resources director allows CROC supporters to
come late, leave early and take breaks without any penalties whatsoever.

Han Young has been offering a wage increase of 15 pesos a day (approximately
$1 U.S., approximately $1.40 Canadian) to any workers who agree to sign a
paper naming the CROC (one of the government-controlled unions) as their
representative. Keep in mind, that most of these workers receive a daily
wage equivalent to about $4 U.S. or $5.70 Canadian. So, this illegal bribe
would constitute a very substantial increase in their daily wages.

Because the Han Young workers are so united in their demand to be
represented by an independent union, the bribe has not been effective in
undermining the majority support for STIMAHCS. Therefore, management has put
20 new "workers" on the books as CROC supporters. These phantom employees
are not doing work at the plant. Furthermore, reliable sources have
indicated that the company has sent a representative to Vera Cruz to hire
another 40 replacement workers, to build up a pro-CROC workforce (phantom or
otherwise) to outvote the union supporters at the plant. Also, there have
been about 15 CROC supporters hired by the CROC human resources manager;
although these employees actually work in the plant, they are allowed to
come and go at will, taking leaves of absence whenever they wish.

Two workers have been denied bonuses given to other workers. These two were
explicitly told that they were being punished for supporting STIMAHCS. There
are numerous other illegal wage irregularities being used against other
STIMAHCS supporters.

There are growing concerns about health and safety at the plant. This is
especially true since the recent torrential rains in the region. Workers are
standing in pools of water using faulty electrical equipment held together
with tape. STIMAHCS supporters cannot get new safety equipment (gloves,
masks, etc.) but such equipment is readily available to CROC supporters.
Last week, one of the faulty cranes at the plant dropped part of a chassis
on a worker's hand, injuring him.

The lawyer for Han Young (who also for many years has had strong links with
the CROC and the CTM government unions) has been extremely hostile since the
talks began last week. The company has failed to follow up on its promises
to resume talks this week.

The workers are now examining various legal avenues to take in response to
the company's violations of the Mexican labor code, the January 14
agreements and the existing contract.

There also are concerns about a generally more repressive stance being taken
some elements in the Mexican government. Given the human rights crisis in
Mexico - which includes increasing violence and illegalities - such
threatening moves are viewed with grave concern. It is crucial for human
rights advocates to show their continuing support for the Han Young workers.
Please move forward with your plans for demonstrations on Saturday, February
7. The Mexican government needs to know that any repression against these
workers will cost Mexico substantial damage to its international reputation.

The NAO complaint (the process established under NAFTA's labor side
agreement) is still scheduled for February 18.

The workers continue to make their own strategy decisions. They are strong,
united and clear about what they want. The role of the Support Committee for
Maquiladora workers is to stay informed about the situation and the find out
what the workers want from international solidarity and then to take that
information to the workers' international supporters.

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH YOUR PLANS FOR DEMONSTRATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE HAN
YOUNG WORKERS. If you cannot organize a demonstration by February 7, please
try to plan demonstrations of support for another date - at your earliest
convenience. Please continue to send faxes to the Han Young lawyer, as
indicated in previous alerts. [Note: Many people do not have access to a fax
machine. Also, many labor rights violations are crises requiring an
immediate reaction. To find out how to subscribe to the Labor Defense
Network (which will send faxes in your name in response to violations of
workers' rights in Mexico and Central America), contact (202) 544-9355 or
<ern@igc.apc.org>.]

It is important now for the Mexican federal government to continue its
intervention. The first need is for the government to see to it that the
CROC representative is removed from his position as human resources director
at Han Young. His presence there is in violation of the January 14
agreements, which stipulated that the CROC and the CTM were to cease all
interference at the factory. Local activists: please include that message in
any statements you make to the press. Also, if there is a Mexican consulate
in your community, please deliver a letter on Monday asking for a resumption
of Mexican federal intervention at Han Young, especially to have the CROC
rep removed from his position at the plant.


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