In April, District 3 staff members Ed Kent and Mike Duhra travelled to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, to attend the Los Mineros Annual Memorial March, an event held each year to honour the martyrs of the 2006 strike and to advance the cause of workers’ rights across borders.
In 2006, Los Mineros union members launched a national strike following the tragic explosion at the Pasta de Conchos mine, which claimed the lives of 65 miners. The strike also addressed broader concerns about hazardous working conditions and was part of the union’s ongoing fight for workers’ rights against the powerful mining corporation Grupo Mexico.
This year’s march, which brought together nearly 5,000 members, families and guests, was a powerful tribute to the lives lost during the violent repression of the 2006 strike at the Sicartsa facilities, when government forces killed two workers standing up for fair conditions. It was also a celebration of the strength and progress of the Mexican labour movement in the face of immense adversity.
“The march was one of the most moving displays of solidarity I’ve ever witnessed,” said Ed Kent. “Hearing thousands chant the names of the martyrs alongside General Secretary Napoleón Gómez Urrutia gave me chills. Their fight is our fight and I was proud to join with them in solidarity.”
Before the march, Section 271 of the Mineros hosted a workshop focused on key areas of their collective agreement, including contract language and health and safety regulations. For Kent and Duhra, it was an eye-opening experience.
“We were genuinely impressed to see how strong some of their clauses are,” said Mike Duhra. “In fact, several of their negotiated benefits actually exceed what many of us enjoy here. It shows what’s possible when workers organize and fight together.”
Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, who was exiled in Canada for 12 years due to his outspoken labour advocacy, was met with thunderous chants and overwhelming support. His leadership and resilience continue to inspire workers across Mexico and around the world.
The enduring relationship between the United Steelworkers union and Los Mineros stands as a testament to the strength of international labour solidarity. Together, our unions continue to fight for dignity, safety and justice for workers employed by the same global corporations on both sides of the border.
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