18 February, 2008Special preview of An Injury to One, a documentary on the Mexican miners' struggle is launched on the internet in dedication to those killed in the tragic mine explosion in Mexico.
GENEVA: On the two-year anniversary of the Pasta de Conchos mine tragedy on February 19, 2006, the International Metalworkers' Federation is launching a special preview of a documentary on the Mexican Miners' struggle. The full documentary, called An Injury to One, will be released on March, 11, 2008.
The documentary captures the struggle, sacrifice and solidarity of the Miners' and Metalworkers' Union in Mexico (SNTMMSRM). Two years ago today a methane gas explosion occurred in the number 8 shaft of the Pasta de Conchos mine owned by Grupo México in the Northern Mexican state of Coahuila. Sixty-five miners were buried in the blast and the government immediately sent in army troops to guard the mine.
Following the tragedy, Napoleón Gómez, SNTMMSRM general secretary, spoke out against Grupo México and the Mexican government, charging them with "industrial homicide" for neglecting to correct more than 40 health and safety violations in the mine. Nine days later the Mexican government announced that it had removed Gomez as union leader and imposed Elías Morales as acting general secretary of the union. The move sparked international outcry and a global campaign was launched by the IMF in support of union autonomy in Mexico. In March 2006, the IMF launched a complaint with the International Labour Organisation citing Mexico in breach of Convention 87.
The IMF will publish a White Paper to compliment the documentary on Mexico. The White Paper examines how the Mexican government in collusion with the country's largest mining giant, Grupo México, has broken international standards and national laws to crush the SNTMMSRM.
IMF affiliates have mobilized members to denounce the actions of the Mexican Government and Grupo México and demand justice for the SNTMMSRM. The White Paper and documentary call on the Mexican government to respect union autonomy, recover the bodies still buried in the Pasta de Conchos mine, and prosecute those responsible for the crimes committed against the union and the union's leadership.
The documentary and White Paper, both to be released March 11, 2008, provide an inside look into the struggle and triumph of Los Mineros, the miners. An Injury to One is in English and Spanish with corresponding sub-titles. The White Paper will be published in English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and French. Please check the IMF's publications site on the web to download a copy. See: www.imfmetal.org/publications.