January 2010

LATEST NEWS - 7th April 2010: Agreement brings successful end to strike at Palo Alto plantation, Colombia

An agreement has been reached between Palo Alto Gnecco Espinosa Investments and SINTRAINAGRO, the agricultural workers’ union in Colombia, bringing an end to a 67-day strike at a plantation in Ciénaga district, Magdalena.  The Ministry of Social Protection will act as guarantor of the agreement.  Prior to the deal the company had been operating a hard-line policy of refusing to recognise workers’ rights to free association.  The strike had been initiated in response to the illegal and violent dismissal of 185 out of 200 workers back in January when workers decided to join the trade union.

As a result of the new agreement, the dismissed workers will be immediately reinstated and their contracts will be valid retrospectively.  They will also receive their pay for the 67 days they were on strike.  In addition, the company has stated a commitment to respect labour and constitutional norms, particularly certain ILO Conventions, and will enter into collective bargaining negotiations with SINTRAINAGRO in future.  The implementation of the agreement will be evaluated at a meeting between the company and the union at the end of June.

SINTRAINAGRO, which is affiliated to the IUF (a global union federation), congratulated the striking workers on their brave, collective decision to keep up the fight despite the difficult economic situation and threats of violence intended to intimidate them into breaking the strike.  It was through their resilience that the situation was successfully resolved.

Workers in Colombia are once again victims of armed violence for trying to exercise their right to join and be represented by a trade union.

On 14th January, armed gunmen entered the Palo Alto plantation, Ciénaga district, Magdelena.  They had a list of names in their hands and demanded to know the whereabouts of two specific workers.  They then shouted, "Get out of here because we have come to kill you – no hiding" and opened fire, wounding one worker.  185 workers were then forced at gunpoint to leave their workplace.  Their union, SINTRAINAGRO, condemned the violence and called for solidarity action - and their global union federation, the IUF, has now launched a major online campaign.  Please take a moment to show your support.