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6 June, 2001Members of the Venezuelan steelworkers' union SUTISS are on strike and need international support.
GENEVA: The International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) is asking its affiliates to support striking members of the steelworkers' union in Venezuela, SUTISS (Sindicato Unico de Trabajadores de la Industria Siderúrgica y sus Similares), a part of the IMF affiliate in Venezuela, FETRAMETAL.
Trade union officials and members have for six months, unsuccessfully, attempted to engage the management at the SIDOR steel plant in discussions on their pay and working practices. In order to force management to the negotiating table, the unions has taken action and went on strike.
Since Hugo Chavez became president in December 1998, he has been trying to destroy the trade union movement in Venezuela. He has forced all of the elected trade union leaders to resign their posts, and will soon be requiring the trade unions to conduct ballots to elect a new leadership.
"Against this background of oppression the leaders of the steel union SUTISS have taken a very courageous stand," general secretary Marcello Malentacchi says in a letter to the IMF affiliates. He has also sent a letter of support to the union, SUTISS;
and letters of strong criticism to Mr.Hugo Chaves,President, Venezuela;
Mrs. Blancanieves Portocarro, Minister of Labour, Venezuela;
the Managing Director of SIDOR;
and Chairman of the board of Directors of the parent company, Consorcio Amazonia.
Malentacchi is asking all IMF affiliates to send similar letters.
Trade union officials and members have for six months, unsuccessfully, attempted to engage the management at the SIDOR steel plant in discussions on their pay and working practices. In order to force management to the negotiating table, the unions has taken action and went on strike.
Since Hugo Chavez became president in December 1998, he has been trying to destroy the trade union movement in Venezuela. He has forced all of the elected trade union leaders to resign their posts, and will soon be requiring the trade unions to conduct ballots to elect a new leadership.
"Against this background of oppression the leaders of the steel union SUTISS have taken a very courageous stand," general secretary Marcello Malentacchi says in a letter to the IMF affiliates. He has also sent a letter of support to the union, SUTISS;
and letters of strong criticism to Mr.Hugo Chaves,President, Venezuela;
Mrs. Blancanieves Portocarro, Minister of Labour, Venezuela;
the Managing Director of SIDOR;
and Chairman of the board of Directors of the parent company, Consorcio Amazonia.
Malentacchi is asking all IMF affiliates to send similar letters.