Army, police called to quell central Colombia labor riots

[Judi Lynn]

Army, police called to quell central Colombia labor riots
Tuesday, 19 July 2011 14:11
Stephen Manker

President Juan Manuel Santos called on the Colombia's army general and national police director to help with petroleum company labor riots in the central department of Meta.

Protests began last month when laborers from contracting firm Montajes JM, who work with Spanish multinational CEPCOLSA, went on strike.

~snip~
The tipping point for the riots was after Colombia's Vice President Angelino Garzon, along with the department of Meta's governor and petroleum companies were unable to reach an agreement with the labor unions. The town of Puerto Gaitan broke out in riots, wounding four people, and destroying various vehicles and buildings.

Some local news sources and labor unions speculate that one of the protesters might have been killed in the riots.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/17749-army-police-called-to-quell-central-colombia-labor-riots.html

[gbscar]

1. Pacific Rubiales oil strike ends as bargain is reached

Pacific Rubiales oil strike ends as bargain is reached
Wednesday, 20 July 2011 07:31
Matt Snyder

<...>

The agreement was reached after six hours of negotiation between representatives of the strikers and Pacific Rubiales. The workers agreed to end their strike after Pacific Rubiales agreed to four out of their five demands.

Pacific Rubiales announced that there would be no retaliation against workers who striked and that they would receive pay for the month during which they refused to work. The oil company said they would honor existing contracts as well. They also agreed to create a single standard of working conditions that would match conditions elsewhere in the industry.

The oil workers were protesting to demand better food, shelter, and pay which they said were inferior to what workers received at other companies.

In the final days of the strike, clashes with police occurred and several vehicles were burned as workers from other companies joined the protest. As many as 10,000 workers were estimated to be protesting at the strike's conclusion.

<...>

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/17759-pacific-rubiales-oil-strike-ends-as-bargain-is-reached.html

Peace returns after labor strike ends: Minister
Wednesday, 20 July 2011 11:09
Stephen Manker

Colombia's Interior and Justice Minister Germain Vargas Lleras said that the situation in the mining town of Puerto Gaitan is under control after more than a month of labor protests and riots, according to a report from Caracol Radio.

<...>

Riots destroyed vehicles, facilities, and injured both civilians and police officers during the last week of protests.

"The protests are legitimate; what is not legitimate is the exercise of violence... to paralyze the national roads, as the new public safety law penalizes those who block traffic on national highways," said Vargas Lleras.

Vargas Lleras added that the governor of the Meta department will meet with government officials and representatives of the Colombia's Trade Union (CUT) today to find ways to improve working conditions for Pacific Rubiales laborers.

According to Caracol Radio, the state will also asses the working conditions of employees of Pacific Rubiales.

The Meta department's secretary of government said that at least seven officials will participate in a meeting on August 3 near Puerto Gaitan to assess the region's labor policy.

<...>

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/17766-peace-returns-to-mining-town-puerto-gaitan-.html

[Judi Lynn]

2. Machinists Union Slideshow Exposes Horrific Truths Behind Colombia Free Trade

July 20, 2011 03:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Machinists Union Slideshow Exposes Horrific Truths Behind Colombia Free Trade

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To reveal atrocities surrounding the Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) now under Congressional debate, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today released a slideshow exposing Colombia’s heinous treatment of its workers and trade unionists.

The disturbing images are part of the IAM’s Facebook ad campaign to educate the public on the shortcomings of the South Korea, Colombia and Panama FTAs and the substantial damage they will do to American workers.

“Colombia continues to be one of the most corrupt and volatile governments of the world and the most dangerous place to be a trade unionist,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “Over 2,850 trade unionists have been slain in the streets of Colombia in the last 25 years. Last year, 51 trade workers were murdered. Seventeen so far this year. The Colombian government has yet to take action in most of these cases.

“The IAM is committed to fighting for a new model of trade agreements – one that is based on fairness and that makes workers and the communities in which they live the priority. Until Colombia adopts, maintains and enforces labor laws that comply with the International Labour Organization’s core labor standards, no trade agreement with Colombia should be considered.”

More:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110720006860/en/Machinists-Union-Slideshow-Exposes-Horrific-Truths-Colombia