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25 July, 2024IndustriALL affiliate, Los Mineros celebrated a significant victory in Mexico after reaching an agreement that allowed them to end a two-month-long strike at ArcelorMittal, where the union was calling for fair and dignified working conditions.
More than 3,000 ArcelorMittal workers in Cárdenas, Michoacán, affiliated to section 271 of the National Union of Mine, Metal, Steel, and Similar Workers of the Mexican Republic (SNTMMSSRM, also called “Los Mineros”), held an assembly on 18 July. During the assembly, they voted to end the strike that started on 24 May.
The workers initiated the strike in response to a disagreement over the profit-sharing for the 2023 fiscal year presented by the company. After two months of struggle, they reached an agreement with ArcelorMittal. The agreement includes the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) who will appoint an external accounting firm to conduct an audit for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. The results will address the union’s disputes within 35 working days after the agreement is signed.
If a favourable balance is calculated, ArcelorMittal commits to making the payment within the following 20 working days. Additionally, the STPS confirmed that the tax administration service will respond to objections regarding the 2021 fiscal year no later than April 2025.
Other agreed points include:
- An 8 per cent increase in daily wages.
- Equal profit-sharing amounts between ArcelorMittal Mexico and ArcelorMittal Las Truchas workers.
- An additional payment of 60,000 Mexican pesos ($3,300) as an incentive for each permanent and temporary unionized worker.
- A social assistance payment of 17,000 pesos ($950) in grocery vouchers.
- Payment of 100 per cent of wages for the 55 days that the strike lasted.
- The formation of a commission from section 271 to immediately review pending issues within the mine and plants.
The company also agreed to withdraw the special procedure aimed to terminate individual and collective relations at ArcelorMittal and to refrain from retaliation against workers and the union. Additionally, they will withdraw labour and criminal lawsuits.
Los Mineros issued an official statement saying:
“We know that, after the various reviews conducted by tax authorities and other bodies, the agreed-upon reviews will prove us right. We hope the company reconsiders its future actions to avoid the economic and social issues triggered by such movements. Nevertheless, we remain committed to resolving our differences within the legal framework, through dialogue.”
Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, general secretary of Los Mineros, senator of the Republic, and member of IndustriALL’s executive committee, celebrated the unity of Los Mineros. He praised the members of section 271 for their fight for justice and dignity and assured that they would continue to strive for more achievements and better working conditions.
Finally, IndustriALL base metals director, Patrick Correa, said:
“We congratulate Los Mineros on this significant victory. We know it was not an easy struggle: the strike took place against a backdrop of widespread abuses in ArcelorMittal operations around the world. These violations are so serious that they have led the global union network to make approaches to the company demanding tangible changes and a commitment to workers' safety, rights, and dignity around the world.
The collective voice of the ArcelorMittal union network, made up of affiliates from 18 countries, including Mexico, will continue to defend these fundamental principles until they are fully implemented and respected throughout the company's operations.