UPDATE FROM SINTRACARBON
Coal workers at the massive Cerrejon opencast coal mine in La Guajira, Colombia, in dispute with the company over pay, conditions, health and pension issues, rights of subcontracted workers and the needs of communities affected by the mine, are now in a mediation process. On Friday 4 February Colombian Vice President Angelino Garzon offered to mediate between the negotiating teams from the company and the union. The company made an improved offer and the workers have provisionally accepted it. The union thanks Colombia Solidarity Campaign for our support. The mine is owned by three massive mining multinationals listed on the London Stock Exchange: Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Xstrata. The planned picket of their offices has been called off, for now, due to positive developments in the dispute.
Workers to Strike at British owned Coalmine
El Cerrejón in north east Colombia is Latin America’s biggest coal mine, and is owned by three multinationals listed on the London stock exchange: Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Xstrata. Despite huge profits, the company is cutting back on the most basic workers’ rights such as medical attention and sick pay. After negotiations broke down, on 27th January 2011, 96% of workers in the SINTRACARBON trade union voted to go on strike. They have called for international support!
EMERGENCY FLYING PICKET – TUESDAY 8th FEBRUARY
4.30pm Xstrata, 25/27 Haymarket, SW1 (Piccadilly Circus or Charing Cross tube)
Then to Anglo American, 20 Carlton House Terrace, SW1 proceeding to
5.30pm BHP Billiton Neathouse, SW1 (near Victoria)
