The North Shore Colombia Solidarity Committee Blog
See our home page.(Our old blog on tripod.com is still active, but it is now also appended to the archives of this blog.)
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
from: Avi Chomsky
Small group airs beefs at NSP hearing
By JUDY MYRDEN Business Reporter
About a dozen people showed up at a public hearing Wednesday night in Halifax to protest Nova Scotia Power’s proposal to hike power rates almost five per cent this spring.
While most opposed NSP’s request to hike power rates for the fourth time in five years, others complained about the privately owned utility’s environmental record and its controversial purchases of coal from a large mine in Columbia.
NSP buys millions of tonnes of cheap coal from the Cerrejon open pit mine in northern Columbia each year. The Atlantic Region Solidarity Network says this results in numerous human rights violations, including the eviction of people who live near the mine and the destruction of their homes.
"NSP has a moral obligation to look at the real price of its profits," group representative Yvette Michaud told the Utility and Review Board. "As a loyal customer of coal from Cerrejon, it should express its strong objection to the tactics used in the continued operation and expansion of the mine in Columbia."
She said NSP cannot buy cheap coal without paying attention to how it has been obtained.
Blake MacDonald, of the World Outreach and Faith In Action Committee, also raised concerns about the utility’s coal purchases from Columbia.
"We believe NSP has been too concerned about keeping down dollar costs of coal, about getting more profit for its shareholders, and about keeping relationships positive and friendly with its corporate partner in Columbia," he told the review board.
NSP president Ralph Tedesco promised to take another look at the Columbian mine and its conditions.
"We’ve actually had people tour those mines and seen the conditions and have been satisfied they’re reasonable," Mr. Tedesco said after the public session.
"We’re going to take an additional step now, which is to have our folks visit again . . . and actually now go into the neighbourhoods around those mines.
"I think we have a moral obligation to not purchase anything from companies that we judge to be or learn to be engaging in inappropriate behaviours," Mr. Tedesco said.
Hearings into the NSP’s rate application were shortened to just two days this week when the utility announced Monday it had reached an agreement on increasing power rates with some of its customers.
Residential customers now face a 4.8 per cent increase April 1; under the previous proposal the hike would have been 9 per cent. The average residential customer would pay an extra $3.50 per month under the revised plan.
The review board, which sets power rates, must approve the deal.
The agreement that was made before the hearings angered Allan Smith of Sackville.
Mr. Smith said initially he didn’t plan to come to the public hearing. But when he learned of NSP’s deal to cut its proposed rate hike in exchange for a fuel adjustment mechanism, he was upset.
He called the process "ludicrous" and "absurd." He accused the board of not allowing the public to scrutinize NSP’s original application, which was filed last October with regulators.
Board chairman Peter Gurnham said customers who signed the agreement last weekend on lowering the proposed price increase passed on asking NSP any questions.
Other interveners will make written submissions to the board, Mr. Gurnham said.
Fairview resident Paul Chiasson lives in an electrically heated apartment on a fixed income and strongly opposes any hike in electricity costs.
He lives on a social assistance payment of $820 a month, of which NSP gets $100.
"NSP must be held accountable for its ability to supply power in the form of generated electricity," he said. "If not through government oversight, which I find sorely lacking through this board’s devices and decisions, then through stiffened competition in the market place."
The board is expected to make a decision in the next few weeks.
------------------------------
Monday, January 29, 2007
from: Avi Chomsky
------
Agreement between Cerrejón and Sintracarbón through dialogue and concertation
Collective convention will have a duration of two years
The representatives of the Negotiating Commission of Cerrejón LLC, and the
representatives of the National Union of the Coal Industry, SINTRACARBON reached an
agreement on the main issues in the List of Petitions of the Collective Bargaining
Agreement, which will have a duration of two years. The main issues of the agreement
are:
Salaries will be increased by 7.7% during the first year; the raise for the second
year will be 1.5% above the Colombian Price Index increase, or 6% (whichever is
higher).
On the issue of educational benefits for college or university studies a sum of
U$619, for each son per worker for the first year and U$660 for the second year.
Additionally, a loan for discretionary investment through financial institutions
(Funds and Cooperatives) was agreed upon for the sum of U$8.510 at DTF
(average local interest rate of Fixed Term Deposits), and up to an additional
U$4.255 at an interest rate of DTF plus 4% and a term of up to 6 years.
The remaining economic issues of the agreement will be readjusted at the same
percentage of the salary increase for both valid years of the Agreement.
For Cerrejón it is important to have reached an agreement based on dialogue and
concertation in which the sound judgement of the Commissions predominated and which
represents benefits for both parties, as well as for La Guajira Community and for
Colombia.
Bogotá, January 29, 2007
------------------------------
For January 31 and February 1, 2007
**PHOTO OPPORTUNITY**
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2007
CONTACT: Ethan Green, Rising Tide North America
(856) 535 5053 / Ethan@RisingTideNorthAmerica
MIAMI PROTEST--INTERNATIONAL COAL INDUSTRY CONVENTION
Activists Will Unite to Confront Coal
Kingpins at Their Exclusive Annual Gathering
WHEN: 9 am - 1 pm on Wednesday, January 31 AND Thursday, February 1
WHERE: Intersection of Crandon Blvd. and Grand Bay Drive
Key Biscayne, FL 33149 (5 miles driving from downtown Miami)
At the public entrance to the Ritz-Carlton resort
WHAT: Environmental & social justice activists from across Florida and the
South will protest the "Coaltrans Americas" 2007 annual international coal
industry convention in Miami, Florida. The Coaltrans convention, happening
on Jan. 31st and Feb. 1st in Key Biscayne's Ritz-Carlton resort, will
bring business leaders and government officials from the energy,
utilities, banking, transportation, and insurance sectors together in
Miami from throughout the Americas. The purpose of this Coaltrans event is
to promote coal development throughout the Western Hemisphere. Activists
will rally to present loud & visible creative actions that will: 1) urge
investors to pursue clean energy development instead of coal; 2) demand
that coal producers immediately cease environmental destruction including
"mountain-top removal" (MTR) coal-mining and global warming pollution; and
3) highlight the urgent crisis of human rights abuses and violent
exploitation committed by the coal industry on rural and indigenous
communities, and mineworkers, throughout the Americas. The Wednesday
January 31st protest will focus on coal issues in North America. The
Thursday February 1st protest will focus on coal issues in Latin America.
A public event open-to-all featuring speakers & films critical of coal
will take place this Thursday evening at the Wallflower Gallery in
downtown Miami (starting 7 pm; location: 10 NE 3rd St).
WHY: Major coal industry decision-makers & representatives attending the
"Coaltrans Americas" convention are responsible for human rights
violations against coalfield communities and mineworkers, as well as high
levels of greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution leading to an epidemic
of children suffering asthma, and massive expanses of irreplaceable land
destroyed by MTR mining. Despite the fact that global warming is
accelerating every day, over 150 new coal power plants are now planned to
be built in the United States, including one in Florida's Everglades.
Local, regional and worldwide grassroots opposition to these
irresponsible, deadly practices of the coal industry is intense and
growing, from the Everglades and Appalachia in the southern US to Colombia
and Venezuela in South America. A diverse alliance of local Miami and
regional Southern activists will - for the first time - protest the annual
Coaltrans Americas convention, in order to raise public awareness about
the problems with coal and give voice to a common demand for rapid
society-wide transitioning away from harmful, unsustainable coal use &
towards clean, renewable energy sources.
WHO: Organizations participating in and supporting the Coaltrans Americas
protests include Mountain Justice Summer (Southern Appalachia region:
Kentucky, Tennesee, Virginia, and West Virginia), Save It Now Glades
(Glades County, FL) Bridges Across Borders (Gainesville, FL), Yat
Kitischee Native Center (Naples, FL), Miami Sierra Club, Beehive
Collective (international), Jeaga Earth First! (South Florida), and Rising
Tide North America (continental network confronting the root causes of
climate change).
from: Patricia A. Gozemba
Witness for Peace Delegation to Colombia
Going to Colombia is one option but also making a donation so that others can go would be great. You can contact Avi Chomsky (info below). Spread the word and send this flyer to other folks. Pat
Witness for Peace New England
Delegation to Colombia
August 3-13, 2007
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE COAL
Colombia is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid in the hemisphere, and also the country with the highest levels of official and paramilitary violence, including forced displacement, killings of journalists, trade unionists, and human rights activists.
Foreign corporations are some of the major beneficiaries of this situation, and multinational corporations control Colombia’s two largest exports, oil and coal, much of which comes back to U.S. markets. Most of the coal goes to supply power plants in Massachusetts and the southeastern U.S., including the Salem Harbor and Brayton Point power stations in Massachusetts.
Colombia’s coal comes from two of the largest open-pit coal mines in the world: El Cerrejón, begun by Exxon in the 1980s and now owned by a consortium of European-based companies, and La Loma, owned by the Alabama-based Drummond Company. Both of these mines export large quantities of coal to the United States, and both have been accused of serious human rights violations.
This delegation will follow the trail of the coal that supplies power to New England, meeting with human rights activists, trade unionists, members of Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities, and others affected by coal production in Colombia. We will explore how we as consumers can work in solidarity with communities and organizations in Colombia to hold corporations accountable for human rights.
Cost: The price of the 11-day delegation is $1350 USD. The delegation fee covers all set-up, preparation, meals, lodging, interpreters, transportation within Colombia. The fee also covers extensive reading and activist tools both before and after the delegation.
Fund-Raising: You can ask us for fund-raising materials or advice. Occasionally scholarship money becomes available.
Deadline: ASAP: Application with a non-refundable deposit of $150.
Contact: Avi Chomsky (achomsky@salemstate.edu; 978-542-6389); Ellen Gabin (egabin@adelphia.net; 978-546-7230(home); 978-281-1548(work)).
Witness for Peace (WFP) is a politically independent, grassroots organization of people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. Our mission is to support peace, justice, and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing US policies and corporate practices that contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean. For more info on the WFP Colombia program: www.witnessforpeace.org.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
from: Avi Chomsky
• 6pm Spokescouncil Meeting
Arcola Lakes Park, 1301 NW 83 St., Miami
Tuesday, January 30
• 10am. Banner/Sign/Puppet Making
Umoja Village Shantytown, 6201 NW 17th Ave.
Wednesday, January 31
• 7pm. Global Land Struggles Discussion
Tap-Tap Rest. • 819 5th St., South Beach
Saturday, January 27, 2007
from: Debbie K
Leon Teicher
President, El Cerrejón
Riohacha, La Guajira
Colombia
January 26, 2007
Dear Mr. Teicher,
I am writing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. In Nova Scotia we use approximately 18% of the electricity generated by the coal purchased from your El Cerrejón coal mine in the La Guajira, Colombia.
It was to many Nova Scotians delight, that the union had included demands for several mine affected communities as part of its bargaining proposal. Compensation for the communities should be forthwith. It has far too long for the communities that have been waiting for some nine years for compensation of damages due to El Cerrejón's coal mining operations.
I implore you, El Cerrejón, to come to a decent Collective Agreement with the union and to take the right action with the communities as Tabled in the Union's demands. Health and Safety is a major issue for our unionized workers in Canada and in Nova Scotia and in this, we stand fully behind the union to acquire safe and fair working conditions, as well as decent increased wages and benefits. A happy worker is a more productive worker, that's a fact.
Sincerely,
Debbie Kelly, SSStJ
cc -Sintracarbòn; Jaime Deluquez, Freddy Lozano and Jairo Quiroz
Urgent Message for Colombia Supporters
from: HealthLink
Dear Colombia Solidarity friends,
We just got word that the coal mining industry is having a conference in Miami on Jan. 31-Feb.1 on best means of coal exploitation throughout the Americas. These companies are directly related to the displacement of the Wayuu and other groups in the Guajira of Colombia. Bridges Across Borders is collaborating with other groups to address the concerns of human rights violations and ecological devastation that are not slated to be on their agenda. We will be sending out sample letters and actions you all can take from your home location and we certainly welcome any visitors who want to explore the Florida beaches on a short notice, but we need your help getting a representative INSIDE THE MEETING. The fee for attendance at the conference is $1,250.00, no small amount for us struggling non- profit organizations, but collectively we should be able to raise these funds.
Individuals and groups can help by sending a contribution to send Professor Steve Striffler as our collective representative on the inside. He is a professor of anthropology and Latin American Studies at the University of Arkansas and has been involved in Colombian Solidarity. He intends to come to Miami and will cover his own travel costs; we just need to pay the admission fee. Along with asking poignant questions and presenting a voice that will otherwise not be heard, he can also offer invitations to attend the two gatherings (attached here) and offer the attendees to see for their selves the effect of mining on indigenous communities. We promise you a report worthy of your newsletter or other distribution mechanism and you will be listed as a named collaborator in this Wayuu Solidarity Campaign.
Thanks for all your work for peace and justice in Colombia.
In solidarity,
Carol Mosley
Bridges Across Borders
PO Box 103
Graham, FL 32042
office@bridgesacrossborders.org
www.bri dgesacrossborders.org
YES, we want to help the people’s voice to be heard inside the Coltran Meeting in Miami on Jan.31-Feb.1. Our group pledges $__________ towards the conference fee. List us as a collaborator and send us the report!
from: HealthLink
HealthLink website
We continue to follow the situation at El Cerrejon coal mine in Colombia, especially recent union negotiations with the owners of the mine. We strongly support the union’s demands and have sent the following letter to the mine owners.
--------
January 22, 2007
Leon Teicher
President, El Cerrejon
Riohacha, La Guajira
Colombia
Dear Mr. Teicher,
The news from the workers at the Colombian coal mine, El Cerrejon Norte, is not good. The multinational company that owns the mine is not taking seriously the concerns of their workers as expressed through their Union, Sintracarbon, for fair treatment for the employees on all job related issues. In addition, the Union has taken a strong stand about the treatment of the local people who have been removed from their homes - their communities destroyed - who have not been fairly compensated for loss of property. HealthLink deeply admires the union's commitment to pressing the mine to address the communities' demands for collective negotiations, collective relocation, and reparations.
In Massachusetts, at least two of our electricity producing power plants burn, or have burned, coal form Colombia - both from El Cerrejon and from the Drummond mine. Because of this, we feel responsible for conditions surrounding the extracting of coal for our electricity. We have sent delegations to the area to see the impact of the mine on the lives of neighboring communities who have been there for generations. On our last trip we brought medical personnel to document and treat the children with respiratory problems, skin problems and other illness due to the operation of the mine.
We urge your Union to make your voice heard to the mine owners.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn Nadeau
On behalf of HealthLink
HealthLink
P.O. Box 301
Swampscott, MA 01907
"Drink of the Death Squads" - David Rovics
Added October 30, 2006
From davidrovics
True story first told to me by Katie Kni True story first told to me by Katie Knight from the Colombia Support Network in Montana. Something like half of the union organizers that are killed in the world each year are Colombian. Colombia is also the biggest recipient of military aid in the hemisphere. This, of course, is a coincidence.
Colombian government accused of links to rightist death squads
President and allies under investigation
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/14/news/colombia.php
President Álvaro Uribe, center, is scrambling to salvage his reputation after officials loyal to him were linked to paramilitaries.
Colombian government accused of links to rightist death squads
BOGOTÁ
The Colombian government, the recipient of billions of dollars in U.S. aid to fight drugs and a leftist insurgency, is under siege as evidence mounts of links between rightist death squads and dozens of officials loyal to President Álvaro Uribe.
In the past week, the country's Supreme Court summoned six legislators to answer accusations that they had conspired with paramilitary leaders who are alleged to have killed tens of thousands of leftist sympathizers and ordinary civilians and to have run drug trafficking networks since the 1980s.
They are among two dozen sitting and former lawmakers, governors and other public servants being investigated for or charged with colluding with paramilitary death squads to fix elections, plan massacres, share in corruption proceeds or help the militias get a better deal in peace talks.
The so-called parapolitical crisis threatens to close in on Uribe, the best friend President George W. Bush has in a region increasingly dominated by leftist politicians. It also risks setting back Colombian efforts to make peace with armed insurgents on the left and right who have terrorized civilians and trafficked drugs for decades.
Despite the demobilization over the past three years of 31,000 members and allies of rightist death squads, there are widespread reports that their political influence and hold over organized crime and drug trafficking remain intact.
A congressional committee is studying accusations that Uribe himself supported the rise of rightist militias when he was a governor in the 1990s. Uribe has vehemently denied the allegations, challenging anyone with evidence to come forward.
Still, the accusations against Uribe and his allies have reopened old wounds in Colombian society.
Civilian militias formed in the 1980s to combat leftist guerrillas, and they later morphed into death squads that engaged in drug trafficking and extortion. It has long been alleged that powerful elites — from cattle ranchers and politicians to military commanders — helped establish and fund the militias. Several years ago, paramilitary leaders boldly declared that they controlled one-third of the Colombian Congress.
But after years of impunity, the paramilitaries have come under the microscope after disarming and agreeing to confess their crimes in exchange for lenient sentences.
The attorney general's office announced in October that a confiscated computer belonging to a paramilitary leader known as Jorge 40 contained evidence that politicians had accepted funds from paramilitaries, used their links to militias to intimidate constituents into supporting them and even plotted massacres. Since then, fresh revelations, arrest warrants and resignations have followed.
"They are just turning over the first rock to see what worms are under it, and there are many more rocks to go," said Adam Isacson, director of the Colombia program at the Center for International Policy, a think tank in Washington.
"We still haven't gotten to the generals and colonels, the industrialists and landowners or senior members of Congress," he said. "Nobody has any idea how high this will go."
Two weeks ago, a pro-Uribe senator, Miguel de la Espriella, revealed that he and 39 other congressmen had signed a secret accord pledging loyalty to the militias at a meeting in 2001.
With the government's credibility at stake, Uribe is scrambling to salvage his reputation by taking a hard line against the paramilitaries and those who aided them.
On Dec. 1, his government moved 59 top paramilitary chiefs who had been confined at a converted resort to a maximum-security prison, citing rumors that they were plotting to flee and were involved in the murders of two paramilitary commanders who were not in custody. The militia chiefs angrily denied the rumors, and embarrassing allegations surfaced last week that corrupt police and prosecutors might have been involved in the murders.
If charges against the security forces are proved in court, Isacson said, "It'll be really hard for Washington to justify continuing $600 million a year in military and police aid to Colombia."
Uribe's three-year peace process with paramilitaries, criticized by victims' groups for being too lenient, was the centerpiece of his first term.
Coupled with his crackdown on leftist guerrillas and improvements in security, it won him a landslide re-election last May and continued U.S. support. But the confidence between the government and the paramilitaries that allowed for a peace accord appears to have crumbled. Last week, the paramilitary chiefs declared an end to talks with Uribe's envoys.
Security analysts worry that the rupture of trust in the peace process could be taken as a signal by the few thousand paramilitaries who have not demobilized to unleash a new cycle of violence.
Those groups that have not demobilized yet probably will not do so now, said Alfredo Rangel Suárez, director of the Security and Democracy Foundation in Bogotá. "This crisis could set off vendettas and violence among paramilitaries and will implicate more sectors," he said.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Jose Julio and Armando in Switzerland
Monday, January 22, 2007
from: Avi
STRIKE IMMINENT AT EL CERREJON
[EN ESPANOL ABAJO]
MANAGEMENT’S INTRANSIGENCE, EMBODIED IN MARCOS MEJIA ESTRADA, PREVENTS THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTINUED DIALOGUE
Sintracarbón informs all of its members and the larger community that today, January 22, in the afternoon, the arrogance and intransigence of the Cerrejón company, embodied in its negotiator Sr. Marcos Mejía Estrada, have destroyed all possibility of coming to a negotiated solution. Mejía Estrada’s attitude obliged the Sintracarbón negotiating committee to withdraw from the negotiating table, because Cerrejón simply showed no will to negotiate.
Sintracarbón wishes to make it clear that if there is a work stoppage at the Cerrejón coal complex, we hold the company’s negotiator Sr. Marcos Majía Estrada responsible. It is his attitude and his lack of will to negotiate that have brought the negotiations to this point of no return.
Our union calls upon all Cerrejón workers to be prepared for the struggle. As of now we are beginning to prepare for a strike. Every worker should begin to carry out their assigned tasks, in their place of residence or at their workplace.
Sintracarbón issues a fraternal call to the entire community of the Guajira and asks everyone to support us in our just struggle. Our bargaining position does not only address labor issues. It is a position with an important social content, including, for example, clauses that address the needs of subcontracted and temporary workers, and the communities in the mining area. We call for the solidarity of all social, popular, student, indigenous, peasant, and union organizations, to actively participate in strengthening our great struggle.
This work stoppage at the Cerrejón coal complex will have an enormous magnitude and impact. All of the consequences resulting from the stoppage will be only and exclusively the fault of the Cerrejón company and the multinationals that own it, BHP Billiton, Anglo American, and Glencore/Xstrata. We wish to go on record with the local and national authorities in this regard because of the significant local and national repercussions a strike will bring.
IF THEY PUSH US TO STRIKE, WE WILL STRIKE!
FOR OUR JUST BARGAINING PROPOSAL!
UNITY, ORGANIZATION, AND STRUGGLE!
JUNTA DIRECTIVA NACIONAL
SINTRACARBÓN
NEGOCIACION COLECTIVA DE TRABAJO PERIODO 2007
INMINENTE HUELGA EN EL CERREJON
LA INTRANSIGENCIA PATRONAL DE LA EMPRESA CERREJON REPRESENTADA EN MARCOS MEJIA ESTRADA IMPIDEN LA CONTINUIDAD DE LOS DIALOGOS
El sindicato Nacional de la industria del Carbón “SINTRACARBON” informa a todos los trabajadores de base y a la comunidad en general que en el día de hoy veintidós (22) de enero en las horas de la tarde y por la arrogancia e intransigencia de la empresa Cerrejón Llc, representada ésta arrogancia e intransigencia en el negociador estrella de la compañía el señor Marcos Mejia Estrada, acabaron con la posibilidad de finalizar el proceso de negociación de forma concertada a través del dialogo, hecho que obligo a la comisión negociadora de Sintracarbón a retirarse de la mesa, por la falta de voluntad para negociar por parte del Cerrejón Llc.
SINTRACARBON manifiesta que en caso de darse una parálisis en el complejo carbonífero del Cerrejón responsabiliza desde ya al señor Marcos Mejia Estrada negociador por parte de la empresa cerrejón Llc, quien con su actitud y poca voluntad de negociación ha llevado a la negociación al estado en que se encuentra, a un punto de no retorno.
La organización sindical hace un llamado a todos los trabajadores del cerrejón para permanecer en pie de lucha a partir de este momento, y desde ya comencemos la preparación del conflicto huelguístico y que cada trabajador comience a realizar el aporte que le corresponde, en su municipio o en su sitio de trabajo.
SINTRACARBON realiza un llamado fraternal a toda la comunidad guajira y la exhorta a que nos apoyen en esta justa lucha, ya que nuestro pliego no solo contiene reivindicaciones laborales, sino que es un pliego con un gran contenido socia, l como es el caso de los puntos para beneficio de los contratistas y de las comunidades. Tambien solicitamos la solidaridad de todas las organizaciones sociales, populares, estudiantiles, indígenas, campesinas y sindicales a que participen de forma activa para fortalecer esta gran lucha.
Esta parálisis en el complejo carbonífero del Cerrejón, seria de gran impacto y magnitud, y todas las consecuencias que ella acareé serán única y exclusivamente responsabilidad de la empresa cerrejón Llc, y de sus multinacionales propietarias BHP Billington, Anglo Americam y Xtrata Glencore, por lo que prevenimos a las autoridades locales y nacionales a que tomen cartas en el asunto por las grandes repercusiones locales y nacional.
¡SI A LA HUELGA NOS LLEVAN A LA HUELGA NOS VAMOS!
¡POR NUESTRO JUSTO PLIEGO DE PETICIONES!
¡UNIDAD ORGANIZACIÓN Y LUCHA!
JUNTA DIRECTIVA NACIONAL
SINTRACARBÓN
------------------------------
Can you go to Florida next week???
Mountain Justice Summer is organizing this and is eager for our participation and to bring in Colombia issues. Cerrejon president Leon Teicher will be speaking there, as well as Hernan Martinez, Colombia's Minister of Mines and former president of Intercor (the Exxon subsidiary that used to own the mine). The timing is crucial as Cerrejon workers have just voted in favor of a strike. Let me know if you think you can help!
------
Original article is at http://miami.indymedia.org
Resist International "Coaltrans Americas" Coal Convention Jan.31-Feb.1 in Miami
by MJS & Friends Friday, Jan. 19, 2007 at 12:15 PM
GreenSurge007@gmail.com
This is a call to take action & demonstrate against the Jan 31-Feb 1 "Coaltrans Americas" convention happening at the Ritz-Carlton on Key Biscayne, Miami's "premier luxury oceanfront resort and spa," located on the southernmost barrier island in the United States & 5 miles driving from downtown Miami ... a perfect secluded retreat for 21st century coal barons, or ideal spot for creative protest actions they'll never expect?
protest_international_coal
* FOR OUTREACH, PLEASE PRINT, POST AND DISTRIBUTE ATTACHED FLYER at http://miami.media.indypgh.org
Hey friends,
Do you live in or near Miami, or do you know people here? If you were aware that international coal-industry corporations are about to invade Miami, would you help take action & spread the word to protect human rights and the environment?
It's true: There is a mega conference of coal barons responsible for land theft, "mountain-top removal" strip mining, and overall land destruction happening in Miami on January 31st and February 1st.
Mountain Justice Summer (MJS) is a network I am part of fighting strip mining in the mountains of southern Appalachia. But have no doubt, strip mining and destruction of people's lands and watersheds is happening world wide now. Indigenous people are fighting to stop strip mining for coal at Black Mesa arizona, in the 4 Corners area of New Mexico, in the Everglades of Florida, in Venezuela, China, Canada--worldwide. Greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of coal is one one of the main causes of global warming, which we now know is a rapidly worsening phenomenon that will have catastrophic impacts unless we act NOW to create a sustainable culture (and stop "King Coal")!
This is a meeting in Miami of all the coal companies ripping apart watersheds, polluting the atmosphere, and stealing people's land all across the Americas (see below).
So -- when the international coal executives meet in Miami at the end of this month, will you be silent? Or will you dare to stand up and demonstrate against this destruction? Will you show solidarity with people around the world who are fighting for our lives against coal?
We need to have some sign of resistance against strip mining to these coal industry representatives. If you need to call in sick from work, or cut school, on Wednesday the 31st or Thursday the 1st in order to join us protesting Coaltrans -- just do it!!! Be one of those people holding signs and giving out info, or taking direct action. The seriousness and importance of this cannot be over stated. We need some sort of substantial presence at this convention if just to show solidarity with our comrades in South America. The information collection potential of just having people ATTEND the conference is amazing.
If you can help out with organizational solidarity or material support, please let us know. We need help with mass outreach and our media blitz, and more bodies taking non-violent direct action! I am one Mountain Justice Summer activist, organizing on the ground now in Miami to build this mobilization. Will you join me???
Please have people contact me at GreenSurge007@gmail.com or 856-535-5053 if they can help.
for the earth!
ethan green, mjs
http://mountainjusticesummer
Please see below the wonderful letter from Fredericton, New Brunswick. We
need a flood of letters in the next couple of days! Please help! You can
send them to mine president Leon Teicher through
andres.soto@cerrejoncoal.com, with copies to Sintracarbon at
jdeluquez@hotmail.com ; flozan1@yahoo.com; jquiroz11@gmail.com.
Fredericton Peace Coalition * Fredericton Social Network
Leon Teicher
President, El Cerrejón
Riohacha, La Guajira
Colombia
January 22, 2007
Dear Mr. Teicher,
We are writing from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Approximately
sixteen percent of the electricity in our province of New Brunswick is
generated using coal from El Cerrejón coal mine. In November, the buyer of
your company's coal in our province, NB Power, wrote a letter urging your
company to negotiate in good faith with the National Coal Workers' Union
(SINTRACARBÓN). This letter is in response to recent reports that the union
is considering a strike vote due to the lack of agreement with your
company's management with regard to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement
for 2007-2009. While we understand that progress has been made to reaching
an agreement on several issues, there are still many key issues yet to be
addressed to the satisfaction of the workers and communities.
We are aware that the union has included demands of several mine affected
communities as part of its bargaining proposal. We are also aware that some
communities have been waiting nine years for compensation of damages done
in relation to El Cerrejón's coal mining operations.
We urge that El Cerrejón come to a respectable agreement with the union and
with the communities regarding their demands. We support the union in their
quest for safe and fair working conditions, and increased wages and
benefits. We also support the demands of the communities to be treated
justly in the way of fair relocation, compensation and reparations.
Sincerely,
Tracy Glynn
Fredericton Peace Coalition
Michelle LeBlanc
Fredericton Social Network
cc -Sintracarbòn; Jaime Deluquez, Freddy Lozano and Jairo Quiroz
------------------------------
Sunday, January 21, 2007
from Avi Chomsky
[En espanol abajo]
--
JAIRO QUIROZ DELGADO
Saturday, January 20, 2007
from: Avi Chomsky
As Sintracarbon prepares for a strike vote next week, the Colombian Congress held nationally-televised hearings on Friday the 19th (yesterday). Jaime Deluquez of Sintracarbon and Eder Arregoces, representing the community of Chancleta, testified. Polo Democratico senator Jorge Robledo issued the following press release about the hearings. Let me know if you want a Spanish version.
RENEGOTIATE CONTRACTS WITH COAL MULTINATIONALS AND DON'T SIGN NEW ONES, SAYS SENATOR ROBLEDO
The contracts between the Colombian government and Drummond, Glencore, and the owners of Cerrejon should be renegotiated because they contain provisions that are unfair and highly damaging to the national interest, stated Senator Jorge Enrique Robledo in the Public Hearing on "Coal, Mining, and Energy," called by the Colombian Senate that took place today (Friday, January 19) in the Capitol. Robledo also asked that no new contracts be signed until the damages caused by existing contracts with Cerrejon Zona Norte, El Paso, and Jagua de Ibirico in recent decades can be fully assessed.
The Polo Democratico spokesperson denounced the way that Colombian legislation has been modified to leave mining, hydrocarbons, and energy, in the hands of foreign capital. The situation is extremely serious, given that over half of Colombia's exports, over 9 billion dollars in 2005, came from that sector.
What will Colombia receive from its own non-renewable resources? It's a crucial question, Robledo said, because what you can see in La Guajira and Cesar is extreme poverty. According to a study by the National University, the State Take (what the government receives) from petroleum, 50.64%, is the worst in the world. Robledo also protested the fact that royalties on coal have been reduced from 15% to between 5 and 10%, which greatly reduces its cost (and benefit), while royalties on gold have been reduced to 4%. The country's mineral wealth is being given away to foreign investors, while the effective tax on big mining, once the exemptions are taken into account, is less than 5%, according to Fedesarrollo. There have been aberrant cases, the Senator declared, like when the DIAN [customs] returned 259 billion pesos to Drummond for the IVA [value-added tax, a form of sales tax].
The Congress promised to study the case of Cerrejon Zona Norte in depth. Cerrejon was sold very cheaply to the three multinationals that now own the complex. Robledo also called attention to the terrible health conditions in the open-pit coal mines, the frequent work accidents, and the use of subcontracting to avoid labor protections and perpetuate low wages.
He said that after working for 38 years for Exxon, the first thing that Hernan Martinez did upon taking up the position of Minister of Mines last summer was to propose the privatization of Ecopetrol. "Dr. Hernan Martinez is not Colombia's Minister of Mines, he is foreign capital's Minister of Mines."
Robledo concluded by affirming that he will continue the struggle for the defense of national interests. "This is a democratic political and economic battle, and we invite Colombians of all political positions to join us to save our country," he concluded. It is not a question of eliminating contracts with foreign capital, he concluded, but rather that we negotiate contracts that serve our national interest.
You can listen to Senator Robledo's comments (in Spanish) by following this link:
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Strike threatened at El Cerrejón
[En espanol abajo]
January12 2007
Strike threatened at El Cerrejón
Unionized workers have announced that they are prepared to halt work in the largest open-pit mine in Latin America.
The threat of a strike is hovering over El Cerrejon, the largest open pit coal mine in Latin America, because ot the large disagreements between the union and the company officers involved in negotiating a collective bargaining agreement for the next two years.
According to the union, today is the deadline established by the law for the extension of the "direct resolution" stage of the bargaining. But, union leaders say, there have been no significant advances in the process. The union plans to hold a strike vote on January 23.
Andres Soto, head of public affairs at El Cerrejon, said that company policy was to refrain from commenting publicly on the negotiations. But he stated that the company offer included items like wage increase, bonuses, and funding for university education and recreation, among other things.
The negotiations involve 2,300 workers in the mine in the Guajira. The mine belongs to the multinationals Xstrata, Anglo American, and BHP Billiton.
According to Jose Brito, a member of Sintracarbon's negotiating team, the workers are seeking greater benefits from the coal production. They want to see last year's high international prices translated into improved wages for workers.
But Soto stated that the company's offer takes the high coal prices into account. He explained that the company had to focus on the issue of competitivity, to avoid compromising the operation's long-term stability.
Workers are seeking a wage increase of 9%. The company is offering a 6.3% increase.
"Tomorrow (i.e., Jan. 12) the extenstion period ends. Our goal is to achieve good negotiations, but if we can't, we are prepared to carry out a good strike," said Brito.
The union's proposal asks the company to assume the cost of prepaid medications. There are at least 700 workers who are suffering from work-related illnesses due to the nature of the work.
The union is also asking for education benefits of 1,350,000 pesos per university semester for their children, as they believe that the costs of higher education have increased.
Andres Soto explained that the mine produced 28.5 million tons of coal last year, and exported 27.5 million tons. This year, it hopes to increase exports to 31.5 million tons, and hopes to achieve the short-term goal of exporting 32 million tons in 2008. As a result of coal exports, the Guajira department received $120 million (USD) in royalty payments last year. The Cerrejon mine is internationally known for its high-quality coal, which is exported to the United States and Europe.
12 de Enero de 2007
Hay amenaza de huelga en El Cerrejón
Los trabajadores sindicalizados anunciaron que están preparados para una parálisis en la mina a cielo abierto más grande de Latinoamérica.
Vientos de huelga están soplando en El Cerrejón, la mina de carbón a cielo abierto más grande de Latinoamérica, por las amplias diferencias entre el sindicato y las directivas de la compañía en la negociación de la convención colectiva para los próximos dos años.
De acuerdo el sindicato, hoy vence el plazo de la prórroga que establece la Ley para llevar a cabo una etapa de arreglo directo, pero no ha habido avances significativos, por lo cual se convocaría a los trabajadores a votar la huelga el 23 de enero.
Por su parte, Andrés Soto, gerente de asuntos públicos de El Cerrejón, dijo que la empresa por política se abstenía de hacer comentarios públicos sobre la negociación, pero indicó que la oferta de la compañía incluye aspectos como el incremento salarial, bonos, auxilios universitarios y de recreación, entre otros.
Las negociaciones involucran a unos 2.300 trabajadores de la mina en la Guajira, la cual es de propiedad de las multinacionales Xstrata, Anglo American y Billiton.
Según José Brito, negociador del Sintracarbón, los trabajadores desean que los mayores beneficios derivados de la explotación del mineral, el cual mantuvo el año pasado elevados precios internacionales, se traduzcan en una mejor remuneración.
Pero Soto indicó que la oferta realizada por la empresa ya toma en consideración esos aspectos coyunturales, al tiempo que sostuvo que también se debía analizar el tema de la competitividad, pues a largo plazo no se podía comprometer la estabilidad de la operación.
Mientras que los trabajadores dijeron que están pidiendo un aumento salarial del 9 por ciento, la empresa les está ofreciendo 6,3 por ciento.
"Mañana (hoy) apenas acabe el período de prórroga nuestro interés es conseguir una buena negociación, pero sino la hay también, tenemos dispuesto todo para hacer una buena huelga", dijo Brito.
En el pliego los trabajadores también le piden a la compañía que asuma el costo del servicio de medicina prepagada, pues debido al trabajo que realizan hay por lo menos 700 personas con enfermedades derivadas de las actividades propias de este negocio.
En el tema educativo solicitaron que se eleve el auxilio de 1'350.000 pesos para el semestre universitario de los hijos porque, a su juicio, los costos de las matriculas de la educación superior también se han incrementado.
Según explicó Andrés Soto, de El Cerrejón, la mina registró el año pasado una producción de 28,5 millones de toneladas y se exportaron 27,5 millones de toneladas. Este año la meta es elevar las exportaciones a 31,5 millones de toneladas pero la meta que se ha fijado en el corto plazo es llegar a las 32 millones de toneladas en el 2008. Como producto de la explotación del carbón, el año pasado el departamento de la Guajira recibió regalías por 120 millones de dólares. La mina de El Cerrejón es conocida mundialmente por la producción de carbón térmico de alta calidad el cual se exporta a Estados Unidos y Europa.
------------------------------
Thursday, January 11, 2007
BOLETÍN DE PRENSA No.DPP032 –10-01-07
NEGOCIACIÓN COLECTIVA DE TRABAJO PERIODO 2007
GRAN MOVILIZACIÓN DE LOS TRABAJADORES DEL CERREJON EN BARRANQUILLA
Hoy miércoles diez (10) de enero los trabajadores del cerrejón residentes en la ciudad de Barranquilla (Grupos Titanes , Patriotas y Puerto Bolívar), conjuntamente con la CUT seccional Atlántico y demás organizaciones Hermanas cívicas, populares y sindicales, realizamos una gran marcha de protesta por la actitud arrogante y prepotente por parte de la empresa cerrejón ante su negativa a presentar soluciones que satisfagan las peticiones de nuestro justo pliego.
Esta marcha la realizamos en la carrera 54 y después de un recorrido se finalizo frente a las instalaciones del edificio miss universo, donde las organizaciones hermanas participaron y nos brindaron su solidaridad y respaldo irrestricto, al igual que todos los trabajadores de base que asistieron, estos son los eventos que fortalecen la unidad de la clase trabajadora colombiana y a nuestra comisión negociadora.
Posteriormente en horas de la tarde la comisión negociadora de la Empresa Cerrejón Llc, Presento respuesta a la petición presentada por la comisión negociadora de Sintracarbón en el día de ayer, y la que nuestra comisión se encuentra evaluando en este momento.
Para el día de mañana jueves once (11) se estará realizando en la ciudad de Riohacha una gran movilización de protesta ante la falta de voluntad de negociación de la empresa Cerrejón Llc para dar solución a nuestro pliego de peticiones con un gran contenido social en la medida que se reclaman los derechos de los trabajadores contratistas y comunidades aledañas y desplazadas al complejo.
Muy fraternalmente la organización sindical invita y agradece a todos los trabajadores que puedan asistir a esta gran jornada de rechazo a la intransigencia de la multinacional Cerrejón, y en apoyo a nuestra comisión negociadora y organización sindical.
Departamento De Prensa Y Propaganda
SINTRACARBON
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