Chile: Protest murder of forestry worker

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=247

Chile: Protest murder of forestry worker
The Building and Woodworkers International (BWI) has received shocking news from its affiliated trade union, the Chile Forestry Workers Federation (CTF). Rodrigo Alexis Cisternas, a 26-year-old subcontracted forestry worker, was shot dead by police on Thursday night (3 May) whilse taking part in the ongoing forestry strike in Concepción. The CTF reports that more than 7,000 subcontracted workers of Bosques Arauco have been on strike since early May after their demand for a monthly raise of US$38 was rejected. Most forestry workers in Chile have basic salaries of under US$100 a month. Around 2,000 workers from the wood/pulp-processing plant blocked traffic on the main road on Thursday night. The police attacked using tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets in an attempt to intimidate and disperse the striking workers. According to official accounts, Cisternas was shot by police three times after he attacked police vehicles with a front loader he was driving. Six other striking workers were detained by police, and scores were injured.


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