Update #3:

Duro Workers Promised Recognition of Their Union

Recent reports from Mexico indicate that Duro workers in Rio Bravo, Mexico may achieve official recognition of their union and the reinstatement of all but one of the workers who participated in a strike for improved working conditions and the right to a union of their choice. Thanks to all of you who have responded to the MSN's previous Urgent Action Alerts in support of the Duro workers. Your faxes are having a positive impact, but continuing support is needed. The Update below is based on information received from the Coalition for Justice in the Maquiladoras (CJM). We are working with the CJM and the Canadian Labour Congress on this important campaign.

Campaign Update and Call for Action:

According to reports from Mexico, negotiations between Francisco Hernandez Juarez, co-president of the National Workers Union (UNT) and Secretary-General of the Telephone Workers Union (STRM) and Governor Tomas Yarrington may have achieved a resolution to the 16- day struggle of the workers at the Duro Bag Manufacturing plant in Rio Bravo, Mexico.

The agreement could allow all but one of the striking Duro workers to return to work today and tomorrow (Wednesday and Thursday), and commit the state government to accepting the registration of the Duro worker's union on Friday. If the agreement is honoured, it will represent an historic precedent for maquila workers in the state of Tamaulipas and all along the border maquila zone. The one negative factor in the agreement is that Duro is apparently not willing to accept the reinstatement of Eliud Almaguer Aldape, the workers' leader. The Governor apparently said that he had information from Duro that Eliud was a trouble-maker and that the "gringos" were subsidizing him to incite workers to strike so that the jobs would return to the US.

Your support is once again urgently needed to help ensure that the agreement is honoured and that all workers, including Eliud Almaguer Aldape, are reinstated and the union of the workers' choice is registered.

Even after the agreement is implemented, Duro workers will still have to win a union recognition election against the current government- controlled union, the National Paperworkers Union, affiliated to the Mexican Workers Confederation (CTM).

The independent National Workers Union (UNT) has said that as soon as the Duro Workers Union is officially registered, the union's executive committee will be invited to attend the assembly of the UNT in Mexico City.

Help Secure the Duro Workers' Victory

You can help the Duro workers achieve an historic victory for themselves and all maquila workers, by doing the following: Call and/or fax your message of support for the Duro workers to Duro CEO, Charles Shor.

Urge Shor to ensure that all the workers at the Rio Bravo plant, including Eliud Almaguer Aldape, are immediately reinstated without reprisals or discrimination, and that his company respects the right of the workers to be represented by the union of their choice, without company interference.

Charles Shor Executive Manager Duro Bag Manufacturing, Ludlow, KY Tel: 1-800-879-3876 or 606-581-8200 Fax: 606-581-8327

Sample Letter (Please write your own.)

Dear Mr. Shor,

I/we am/are pleased to hear that an agreement may have been achieved allowing for a just resolution to the dispute at the Duro Bag Manufacturing plant in Rio Bravo, Mexico. I/we am/are hopeful that your company will act responsibly to ensure that the agreement reached will be honoured by your local management and the state government, and that your employees' right to freedom of association will be respected.

I/we am/are however concerned at reports they your local management is opposing the reinstatement of one worker, Eliud Almaguer Aldape, despite the fact that groundless charges against him were dismissed by local courts.

We urge you to personally intervene in this dispute to ensure that all of your employees at the Rio Bravo plant, including Eliud Almaguer Aldape, are immediately reinstated without reprisals or discrimination, and that the right of those workers to be represented by the union of their choice, without employer interference, is respected.

Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Yours truly,Please send copies of your letters to the MSN: fax: (416) 532-7688, e- mail:

perg@web.net.

REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Duro workers are in desperate need of financial support to help cover their legal fees, transportation, food, and photocopying expenses. Please send contributions to:

Maquila Solidarity Network, 606 Shaw St., Toronto, ON, M6G 3L6. Make cheques payable to: Maquila Solidarity Network, and note that your contribution is for the Duro Workers Support Fund. We will ensure that all of your contribution goes directly to the Duro workers.

Thanks again for your continuing support for the Duro workers' struggle

Maquila Solidarity Network/Ethical Trading Action Group
606 Shaw Street
Toronto
Ontario
M6G 3L6
CANADA
416-532-8584 (phone)
416-532-7688 (fax)
perg@web.net
http://www.web.net/~msn

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