USW stands in solidarity with Mexican union after strikers shot on picket line

TORONTO – The United Steelworkers union (USW) stands in solidarity with the rubber workers’ union on strike at the Tornel tire company in Mexico, following an armed attack by gunmen who shot strikers on the picket line earlier this week.

“In the early morning of Wednesday, March 18, striking workers on the picket line suffered an armed attack by a group of men that left four members of the union with gun shot wounds. Disturbingly, the attackers were found to be wearing company uniforms. The attack represents a chilling threat to the right to strike,” said Marty Warren, USW National Director for Canada.

The USW fully supports the Mexican rubber union’s demands for:

• Tornel to comply with its collective agreement with the union 
• an effective resolution of the strikers’ legitimate demands
• security measures to protect the 1,000 striking workers
• a thorough investigation to ensure the company is held accountable under Mexican law and those responsible for the attack are prosecuted. 

Read the USW’s full statement of support for more than 1,000 members of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Compania Hulera Tornel (National Union of Workers at the Tornel Rubber Company) who are on strike at four Tornel facilities in Mexico.

Read the statement of support from the USW’s international headquarters.

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