13 May 2009, Banana Link

The Guatemalan union, UNSITRAGUA has submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court in response to the reversal of a labour court judge’s decision in 2008 which ordered the reinstatement of the workers of Olga Maria. Olga Maria is a company that supplies Chiquita Brands.

Initially a judge ordered the reinstatement of these workers however this order was cancelled after supposed interference with due process. The new Supreme Court appeal case rests on Article 102 of the Guatemalan constitution which makes the dismissal of any worker for joining or forming a trade union illegal. The judge’s ruling is also in contravention of ILO Convention 87 which has been ratified by Guatemala.

UNSITRAGUA is committed to the need to surmount the “wall of impunity” and incipient corruption in the Guatemalan political system. As things stand they believe that money and power make it possible to modify the law by being able to ‘buy’ judges thus blocking the creation of a democratic country.

UNSITRAGUA is appealing for public support to change this situation.