Mexican workers strengthen Tijuana Conference

By Cheryl LaBash

Nov 27, 2011

“A social movement strong enough to force change.” That statement could describe the Occupy Wall Street movement, but it refers to the struggle of Mexican electrical workers and Mexican miners in Cananea, Sonora. Leaders from these struggles will open the 8th U.S./Cuba/Mexico/Latin America Labor Conference on Dec. 2 in Tijuana, Mexico.

Mexican Electrical Workers (SME) leader Humberto Montes de Oca and National Miners Union Section 65 Secretary-General Sergio Tolano Lizarraga will be joined by representatives from the Cuban Workers Central Union (CTC), the World Federation of Trade Unions-Americas Region, the Central Workers Union of Brazil (CTB), and the Workers Interunion Plenary and National Workers Convention of Uruguay (PIT-CNT). Exchanges with U.S. Occupy participants and recognition of completion of the three-day Workers School that precedes the Tijuana Conference are also planned.

Reflecting a renewed effort to free the Cuban Five, unjustly held in U.S. prisons for more than 13 years, this year the conference solidarity evening with the Five is moved to Saturday, Dec. 3. A musical tribute to the Cuban Five by young Tijuana Opera singers, a presentation by anti-war personality Cindy Sheehan, and a viewing of the new video, “Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up?” aim to inspire increased union action on this important effort.

Registration and hotel information are available at LaborExchange.blogspot.com or send an email to LaborExchange@gmail.com.