Workers Struggles:The Americas

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http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/jan2009/wkrs-j06.shtml
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In Colima state, Mexico, the Trade Union Front is planning to mobilize the region's workers to protest the insufficient increase in the Mexican minimum wage, the high cost of living, increases in fuel costs and usurious credit card interest rates. Tentatively, the protest will take place next week. The front was formed by 30 trade unions, representing 20,000 workers.


Workers recently sacked by Envases de Plata, a manufacturer of aluminum containers, set up a soup kitchen at the home of Economics Minister Carlos Fernandez. The workers are also occupying the Envases plant in the Buenos Aires suburb of Quilmes.


On Saturday, members of the Popular Assembly of Oaxacan Peoples (APPO) protesting at the United States consulate in the City of Oaxaca, México, were attacked by the police. The purpose of the rally had been to protest the Israeli assault on Gaza. Nineteen APPO leaders were arrested. Some of those arrested reported being beaten and having their possessions stolen by the police.

On December 19, striking Case Farms poultry workers in Winesburg, Ohio found that vandals had burned their strike shed and painted the adjacent road with homophobic graffiti. Union members went on strike in July 2007 after rejecting a 15-cent-an-hour raise.