Why do we support the struggle of the Mexican Union of Electrical Workers?

The electricians belonging to the Commission of Central Light & Power under the Mexican Union of Electricians are fighting to defend their labor rights and unions, to reclaim their jobs, and prevent the continuation of the privatization and exploitation from the bad government who only benefit from the interests of national and transnational private companies.

On October 10, 2009 at nearly midnight, the Preventative Federal Police (PFP acronym in Spanish) and the Mexican Army occupied the facilities of the Central Light & Power (CLyFC acronym in Spanish) facilities in Mexico City and other facilities in the states of Hidalgo, Puebla, and Morelos; stripping 44,000 workers of their jobs.  One hour after, the government publicized in an extraordinary edition in the Official Newspaper of the Federation a decree affirmed by the assassin Felipe Calderon claiming the “extinction” of the CLyFC.

The electricians explain that this attack from the government is due to the CLyFC and their interests to provide other additional services that require electricity, such as internet and other fiber optic technologies.  These services would be less expensive than what the companies currently sell for (TELMEX, TELEVISA).  The interests of the powerful and private companies did not tolerate this lower cost. 

The attack from the government carried out by the “ mass media of misinformation” (Televisa, TV Azteca, commercial radios, and media companies) intended to justify these actions with lies, misinformation, and exaggerating so-called “privileges” which in reality are workers’ rights and employment benefits won by the struggle of generations of workers.  For example, the government accuses the CLyFC of being unproductive and inefficient, accusing the electricians that it cost el pueblo millions of pesos to maintain the electrical plant.  But if we look closer, we realize that it is difficult for a company to effectively operate when it is the government that is in debt and owes many payments of electrical bills.  The Presidency of the Republic owes $5,801, 045 Mexican pesos and the amount of debt of federal dependencies reaches more than $398 million Mexican pesos. 

The dismantling of CLyFC is due to the interests of transnational corporations of which are tied to former officials from the government, including the ex-Secretaries of Energy-Fernando Canales Clariond and Ernesto Martens-who are partners in WL Communications (WL Comunicaciones), a private company from Spain, who anxiously await the privatization of electricity; a lucrative business with approximately $6 billion Mexican pesos of earnings a year. 

Mass media outlets have tried to condone the Mexican Union of Electricians.  It is for this reason that they have announced a call-out of support in their struggle.  On November 11 2009, they have announced a National Strike demanding the withdrawal of PFP forces in CLyFC facilities, while at the same time continuing to push their demands within the legal system and through mass mobilizations in Mexico City and other Mexican states. 

For this reason, Oaxaca is announcing a blockade on the streets of Crespo and Independencia in support of the dignified fight of the electrician workers in defense of their rights that pertain to all Mexicans.  4pm. 

Recovery and respect to the rights taken away from the working-class.

Today and three years ago, PFP out of Oaxaca

Respect for life and natural resources

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