The Mining Union that has kept part of the facilities of the Mexican unit of the global steel giant, ArcelorMittal, blocked since last May 24, received another judicial setback. It is the third that he receives against him.
Alleging a poor distribution of profits to workers, on May 24 the entrances to an iron mine and a blast furnace belonging to the company in the western city of Lázaro Cárdenas were blocked. According to the company, from that moment red and black flags (a strike symbol) were used.
However, ArcelorMittal detailed in a press release, on May 28, the union made a first strike call for June 11. Subsequently, on May 30, he made another strike call for July 11.
Although the company did not give details, the second strike location could be due to the fact that the blocked facilities have two different social reasons. That is, they are two different companies, both owned by ArcelorMittal.
In both cases, for using red-and-black flags from the beginning, the labor courts have given setbacks to the union headed by congressman Napoleón Gómez Urutia.
“The Federal Labor Court for Collective Affairs based in Mexico City, determined not to process and archive a new strike call presented by the mining union itself, by demonstrating the illegal work stoppage,” ArcelorMittal reported today in a statement.
With this resolution, they will “shortly issue the respective resolution, which if positive (for ArcelorMittal), will extinguish the collective bargaining agreement and terminate the contracts and relationships with each and every one of the workers,” the statement says.
With the above, more than 1,200 workers from section 271 of the Mining Union will be fired.
From day 16 of the blockade, ArcelorMittal reported that the blockade was generating millions in losses. At the moment there are 49 days of blockade, which will extend until day 76, which will be August 7, where a labor court will hold a constitutional hearing.
If ArcelorMittal obtains a favorable ruling, the mass dismissal of workers could generate a social conflict on the date the president-elect takes office. This could set a bad precedent for her government.
In addition, the Ministry of Labor reported that the union rejected for the second time a proposal from the company to conclude the block, which was “very favorable for the workers.”