Background on the Monte de Piedad Strike
The Monte de Piedad strike, initiated by the Sindicato del Monte de Piedad on October 1st, has sparked a response from various labor organizations. The strike aims to protect workers’ benefits and rights amidst what the unions claim are sophisticated attempts by the Monte de Piedad Patronato to eliminate these benefits from their collective work contract.
Union Involvement and Strategies
Representatives from the Unión Nacional de Trabajadores (UNT), Observatorio Laboral, and Asociación General de los Trabajadores (AGT) convened to discuss the “emblematic” strike and devise strategies against the Patronato’s actions. Arturo Alcalde Justiniani, a labor lawyer present at the meeting, detailed the Patronato’s new and sophisticated strategies that seem to have forgotten their social institution role.
With support from other unions like pilots and telecommunications workers, the plan is to approach international organizations, specifically the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Committee on Freedom of Association. The goal is to file a complaint exposing the true intentions of the Monte de Piedad company.
Proposed Actions
- Mobilizing demonstrations or “social pressure” at the Presidency, Secretariat of Labor and Social Security (STPS), and the Labor Tribunal.
- Rallying support from various union leaders across all factions to back the Monte de Piedad workers.
- Organizing donation drives to ensure the strike’s sustainability, as its duration remains uncertain.
Key Players and Their Roles
The Confederación Revolucionaria de Obreros y Campesinos (CROC) joined the strike through AGT, urging solidarity from all union leaders. The Frente Auténtico del Trabajo (FAT) proposed donations to sustain the strike, emphasizing the necessity of unity among all labor organizations.
Expert Opinion
Rodrigo Olvera, a labor law specialist and human rights defender, stressed the importance of clearly communicating the situation to the public. He highlighted that striking is not only about workers’ rights but also protecting users’ interests.
“The company instigated the strike and filed a lawsuit to nullify contractual benefits, then unilaterally promoted their agenda and accused the union of defending personal interests when they reacted,” Alcalde explained.
Next Steps
The Observatorio Laboral plans to release a statement in the coming days, addressing what they claim is an unprecedented attempt to cancel collective benefits. Alcalde Justiniani anticipates a possible worker vote “given the absence of a strike,” pending patronal action.
