------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 07:42:45 -0800 (PST) To: CLR All Campaigns e-mail list <clr@igc.org> From: Mike Rhodes <clr2@igc.apc.org> Subject: Hyundai: !!!important news!!!
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HYUNDAI BOYCOTT: Important News!!! Wednesday, December 10, 1997
TALKS UNDERWAY: Informal talks with top management of Hyundai Precision America are now underway but without any definite resolution so far. However, as a result of pressure on Hyundai Motors, there are indications that Hyundai Precision America may be pressuring Han Young to reinstate all of the fired workers and to recognize the independent union.
WORK STOPPAGES CONTINUE: Han Young workers continue to put pressure on the company. Last week, workers walked off the job for two full days and for part of a third day. This week, workers have staged a series of one-hour stoppages within the plant in solidarity with the hunger strikers.
HUNGER STRIKE CONTINUES: On Thursday, December 11, three fired Han Young workers (Fernando Flores Cruz, Miguel Sanchez Murillo and Armando Hernandez Roman) will begin the FOURTH WEEK of their juice-only hunger strike.
STATE GOVERNMENT THWARTS RECOGNITION: Evidence suggests that the chief force continuing to oppose recognition of the independent union may be the state government of Baja California, acting on behalf of the industry association. According to Mary Tong, Director of the Support Committee for Maquiladora Workers, it is now essential for international efforts to focus on pressuring Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo to intervene in the Tijuana case. There was a meeting at noon today between officials of the state government, HanYoung management and the owners' association; we do not yet know the results of that discussion.
HYUNDAI MOTORS SPREADS DISINFORMATION: In response to mounting pressure from international supporters of the Han Young workers, the director of communications for Hyundai Motor America denies any corporate ties between Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Precision America. However, extensive documentation proves that both have the same parent company, the Korean-based Hyundai conglomerate. Also, the fact that Hyundai Precision America is now negotiating (informally) about the Han Young situation should dispel any doubts as to a connection between those two entities.
REQUESTED ACTIONS: At this point, the Support Committee for Maquiladora Workers says that two most strategically important forms of international solidarity are:
1) Keep up the pressure on Hyundai by leafleting at Hyundai Motors dealerships during the next week. It is essential that Hyundai continue to be motivated to send the right message to Han Young management. See text of new leaflet, below.
2) Pressure Mexican President Zedillo to intervene in this travesty of justice because it appears that, once again, state officials are stepping in, in violation of Mexico's own labor laws, to keep agreements from being reached. Send faxes today! See sample letter, below. During leafleting, please collect signatures on the letter; and mail to the Support Committee for Maquiladora Workers, 3909 Centre Street, #210, San Diego, CA 92103.
NEW LEAFLET AND LETTER:
Three Workers Have Put Their Lives on the Line!
Three men are still on a hunger strike which they began on November 20. They worked in a factory in Tijuana, Mexico that produces tractor trailers for Hyundai. They were illegally fired because of their efforts to form a union. Workers at the factory are being burned on a daily basis, losing their vision and suffering broken bones because of a lack of health and safety protection. The pay for many is less than $4 a day.
The union won by an overwhelming majority, despite company attempts to steal the election by busing in illegal voters. Nevertheless, the Mexican government refused to certify the vote and the company is threatening to replace all union supporters.
Hyundai Motors and the branch of Hyundai in Tijuana which manufactures tractor trailers are both part of the same huge Korean-based conglomerate. Please:
Support the boycott of Hyundai Motors, to pressure the Tijuana branch of Hyundai to halt its repression against union organizing. For more information, contact Campaign for Labor Rights at CLR@igc.apc.org or (541) 344-5410.
Sign the following letter to Mexican President Zedillo:
Ernesto Zedillo President of Mexico Fax: 011-525-271-1764
Dear Mr. Zedillo:
Events taking place in Tijuana in the state of Baja California are tarnishing the reputation of government in all of Mexico. In violation of Mexican labor law, workers at the Han Young factory, producing for the Hyundai corporation, have been denied their right to the union of their choice. Even while acknowledging that an overwhelming majority of the Han Young workers voted for an independent union, the Tijuana labor board nullified the election!
It appears that the chief agent resisting these workers' right to a union is the state government of Baja California, acting on behalf of the industry association. I urge you to intervene in this travesty of justice, to prevent the state government from further violations of the law.
The outcome of events at Han Young/Hyundai could affect future trade relations between the United States and Mexico. I will be following this situation closely.
Sincerely,
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