3 November, 2009Members of the CGT were held for four hours by U.S. immigration officials for taking part in protesting the closure of a Molex plant in Villemur-sur-Tarn, France.
USA: Two French trade unionists from the Fédération des Travailleurs de la Métallurgie (CGT), an affiliate of the International Metalworkers' Federation, were held by U.S. immigration officers at Chicago's O'Hare airport on October 29 and questioned about their involvement in a protest at the French operations of U.S.-based company, Molex Incorporated.
The two unionists, who were detained for four hours, were part of a delegation of CGT members who travelled to Chicago to take part in an action at the company's shareholder meeting on October 30. Chicago unions contacted local U.S. Congressional offices calling for their release.
Molex, an electronics parts manufacturer which supplies products to major car manufacturing companies, announced on October 23, 2008 that it would close its Villemur plant and lay off 283 workers. The company has repeatedly refused to disclose financial information to worker representatives, a violation of French labour law, and has illegally locked-out workers and refused to pay employees' wages and bonuses owed since August 6, 2009.
The CGT, who represents Molex workers in France, is calling on the company to adhere to French law and keep its commitment to work with the trade union to preserve jobs and respect basic labour rights and worker protections.
The French metalworkers were joined by some 80 trade unionists from Chicago-area unions including the United Steelworkers (USW), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), Workers United/SEIU, United Electrical Workers (UE), AFL-CIO, and Jobs with Justice. Despite having valid proxies, CGT members and a representative from the AFL-CIO were denied access to the shareholders' meeting.
In a letter sent to Molex management in France prior to the shareholders' action, IMF general secretary Jyrki Raina urged the company to respect rule of law and its commitments to French workers. "Should Molex Incorporated continue to blatantly violate French labour law, undermine the rights of its workers and fail to work with the French government and French unions to reach a fair and just resolution, the IMF will pursue global action and use our influence with Molex customers to refuse your products," he warned.