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8 February, 2010
Miners of Mexico’s National Miners’ and Metalworkers’ Union (SNTMMSRM), or Los Mineros, have rejected a severance package put forward by Grupo México at the strike-hit Cananea copper mine. Some 1,200 workers at Cananea in northern Sonora state have been on strike since July 2007, a strike the company and the Mexican government have tried unsuccessfully to end through administrative edict and by formally dissolving the union’s collective agreement.
Since last year, Mexico’s Federal Conciliation and Arbitration Board has declared the strike illegal three times, but each time a court has reversed the rulings. Last month, Grupo México tried to break miners’ resolve by offering a US$13,000 payment per worker to sever with the company. Reports indicated that only 20 miners accepted the buy-out.
“The company is offering workers leftovers and calling it liquidation,” stated SNTMMSRM Section 65 leader Mario García. Grupo México is attempting to break the union, and then restructure and re-start Cananea, a mining complex capable of producing 48% of Mexico’s copper output.
The company has also lodged lawsuits against striking workers and strike leaders for alleged damage at the mine. The union has asked Grupo México to withdraw those actions, and instead negotiate a revised collective agreement with Los Mineros that will raise salaries and benefits, and improve safety and hygiene, chief among reasons why miners struck in the first place.
Grupo México has stated that is has lost US$1.5 billion in sales due to the mine being shut. Cananea has capacity to produce 190,000 tonnes per year of copper, with 70% of that in copper concentrates and the remainder in copper cathode.
The ICEM continue to support and campaign on behalf of Los Mineros in its fight for justice against the Mexican government and the ruthless affront posed by Grupo México throughout the country.