Steelworkers Hail Mexican Court Decision in Favour of Los Mineros Union Leader Gomez

BURNABY, BC, May 3, 2012 /CNW/ - The United Steelworkers (USW) are hailing a decision by the Supreme Court of Mexico that restores legal recognition (toma de nota) to Napoleon Gomez, National President of the National Union of Mining, Metallurgical, Steel and Allied Workers of Mexico (Los Mineros).

The decision is the latest victory for Los Mineros, as the union seeks to push back against illegal attacks on workers' rights by the Government of Mexico.  Earlier, the Superior Court of Justice of the Federal District of Mexico dismissed phony charges against Gomez and other Los Mineros leaders brought by the Mexican government as part of a campaign of persecution against independent unions in the country.

USW Canadian Director Ken Neumann says the Government of Mexico must heed the decision of the Supreme Court.

"This judgment by the Supreme Court sends a clear message to the Government of Mexico that the rights of workers to autonomous, independent unions must be respected.  It is, yet again, another vindication of Napoleon Gomez, who has bravely stood up to an unimaginable campaign of harassment by government officials," Neumann says.  "The time has come for the Mexican government to remove its international black eye with respect to labour rights."

"This is a major victory for Los Mineros and all Mexican workers," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. "It should sound the death knell for the Mexican government's vicious and illegal persecution of Napoleon Gomez and Los Mineros."

Coming on the eve of the annual Los Mineros convention, USW Western Canada Director Steve Hunt says this legal victory belongs to those who have refused to back down in the fight for free trade unions in Mexico.

"This important victory belongs to Los Mineros members and working people across Mexico who have kept faith with their leaders like Napoleon Gomez. The Government of Mexico must listen to the Supreme Court and grant Los Mineros the rights it is entitled to as a free and democratic union. To do otherwise will bring further damage to the country's human and labour rights record," says Hunt.

Gomez has been living in exile in Canada since 2006 and works out of the USW District 3 office in Burnaby, B.C.

Napoleon Gomez, President of Mexico's Los Mineros union, 778-222-0055
Ken Neumann, USW National Director, 416-544-5951
Brad West, USW Communications Western Canada, [email protected], 604-754-1174
Bob Gallagher, USW Communications National, [email protected], 416-544-5966

For background: www.usw.ca