AMWU members took part in a global protest against violence and intimidation towards Mexican unions, last week.

The AMWU urges members to show solidarity by sending a protest message to the Mexican Government by signing up to the Act Now LabourStart Mexico campaign today.

The campaign coincided with the anniversary of the 2006 Pasta de Conchos coal mine disaster in which 65 miners were killed. Five years later and the Mexican government has failed to investigate or prosecute those responsible.
 
AMWU Assistant National Secretary, Glenn Thompson, joined Australian union representatives demonstrating outside of Federal Parliament and spoke on behalf of the International Metalworkers’ Federation in a delegation to the Mexican Embassy. 
 
“We called on the Mexican government to provide justice to the families of those who died and those who survived the Pasta de Conchos mine disaster,” Mr Thompson said. 

“As it currently stands there has been no investigation, no compensation, and no engagement with the families of the victims. The government needs to instigate an independent judicial inquiry that will bring those responsible to account. 

“We encouraged the Ambassador of Mexico to bring these issues to the attention of her government."
 
According to AMWU National President, Paul Bastian, the Mexican government’s failure to investigate the mine disaster is reflective of the climate of fear and oppression experienced by workers and trade unions.
 
“Unions in Mexico are not afforded the same freedoms to organise as we are in Australia. They face the threat of violence and workers are denied access to joining unions.
 
“The AMWU is proud to stand in solidarity with Mexican workers and their trade union movement in the long-term fight to defend basic human rights and justice for free and independent unions,” Mr Bastian said.
 
“We strongly believe that workers around the world should be given the space to bargain independently without fear of recrimination. Mexico Days of Action is one of a number of international campaigns the AMWU is actively supporting.”

Watch a video of the rally here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoImqEw00_M