Forwarded message:
Date: Tue, 29 Mar 94 14:05 EST
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Christian Task Force on Central America BC)
To: shniad
Subject: Coke urgent action
March
24,
1994.
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URGENT ACTION GUATEMALA URGENT ACTION GUATEMALA URGENT
COCA COLA MANAGEMENT IN PUERTO BARRIOS PROMOTES
ARREST OF UNION BOARD.
Dear Friends,
The situation for Guatemalan trade unionists continues to be very
difficult, not only because of the military repression, but
because they are targets of intimidation, economic pressure and
abuse from employers and authorities in the Ministry of Labor and
judiciary system.
-) On December 7, 1992, a group of workers at ABASA (Coca Cola
Bottling Plant in Puerto Barrios) formed a union. The managers
waited until December 24 1992, to give a "Christmas present" -
illegally firing 30 workers, among them, all the members of the
union's executive. According to Guatemalan law, the executive can
not be fired without authorization of a labour court.
-) The workers filed legal procedures to be reinstated. However,
due to the level of corruption and/or pressure exerted, the labour
Court in Puerto Barrios resolved that the documents presented by
the workers did not have the date typed in. The date was in the
document stamped by court officers themselves and Guatemalan
labour law states that workers' interests should prevail. The
workers appealed the resolution and the Superior Court will soon
resolve the dispute.
-) For 15 months the trade unionists and their families have not
been receiving a salary. They have survived because the wives and
children are doing some work and because few donations came in.
-) Coca Cola managers in Puerto Barrios filed a petition with the
Ministry of Labor requested that the union certification should be
cancelled because there are not trade unionists working at the
plant.. The Minister has not yet resolved the situation.
-) In mid-February bombs exploded in the gardens of the house of
one of the managers and in the plant. The bombs enclosed leaflets
in favour of the Mexican Zapatistas. The Coca Cola management
brought the company's lawyer, issued a document and accused the
trade unionists of terrorism. Coca Cola presented the accusation
at the labour and criminal courts. The court in Chiquimula issued
an arrest order against:
1) GUILLERMO GRAMAJO LOPEZ 2) CESAR AGUSTO CRUZ
GUZMAN
3) WILLIAM TOMAS RAMIREZ 4) ELISEO ANTONIO
TRIGUENO
5) MELVIN LOPEZ VARGAS 6) LUIS PALACIO NUNEZ.
7) MARVIN MATUTE PAZ. 8) EDGARDO FAJARDO
SANCHEZ
9) EDGAR TELLEZ G. 10) LESTER VARGAS
MARROQUIN
11) HUGO A. GALDAMEZ. 12) CARLOS A. DUARTE
On Monday, March 21st., the court in Chiquimula questioned
Guillermo Gramajo and allowed him free on Q.400 bail (U.S.$1= 5.70
Quetzales). The other workers will be called to court at the end
of March.
RECOMMENDED ACTION.
Please write to the COCA COLA CORPORATION, holding it responsible
for the abuse and harassment of workers by its management in
Puerto Barrios. Request the corporation to take the necessary
steps to halt the victimization and violation of trade unionists'
rights. Please also write to the Minister of Labor and the
Judiciary Court requesting them to respect labour law and workers"
rights.
ADDRESSES
Mr. Roberto Goyzueta, Chairman, Coca Cola Corporation, P.O. Box
Drawer 1734, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. 30301. Fax # (404)
676 3559.
Mr. James Schutt, INCASA- Km. 6 1/2 Ruta del Atlantico, Zona 17,
Guatemala, GUATEMALA, C.A. Fax (011 50 22) 56 42 56.
Ms. Gladys Morfin, FAX: 011-502-2-537472 or
Minister of Labor, 011-502-2-515252
Palacio Nacional, Zona 1, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, C.A.
Lic. Juan Jose Rodil Peralta, FAX: 011-5022-512686
Presidente de la Corte Suprema de Justicia. 21 calle y 7a. ave.
zona 1. Guatemala, Guatemala C. A.
