Bill's Report from Colombia

The Solidarity Center is a coalition that supports programs and projects to advance workers’ rights and promotes broad-based, sustainable economic development.

The purpose of this trip is to build a greater understanding of the struggles and challenges faced by workers in Colombia. Human rights violations, violence and intimidation against worker activists are historical. Personal interviews will play a primary role in developing a report. 

I met my Colombia companions for the first time at the Miami airport. They are Mike Williams, President of the Florida Building Trades Council; Nancy Hall, President Dallas CLC and Tim Baker, Director of Safety-United Mine Workers. We were all on the same flight from Miami to Bogota.

Flying into Bogota was incredible. Surrounded by mountains, the city sits at an elevation of almost 8,000 feet above sea level. Upon landing in Bogota and clearing immigration/customs, we were met by our hosts for the trip – Samantha Tate and Rhett Doumitt of the Solidarity Center. A driver wildly wheeled us through downtown Bogota to our hotel. After checking in, we walked down the block to acquire Colombian currency. I secured 300,000 pesos and it sounds like a lot, but that equals about $200. We then walked to a corner restaurant and had the first tastes of the local foods.

We then met for a briefing meeting. Rhett gave us a tentative schedule for the next five of our 11 days in Colombia and spoke generally about the structure of Labor in Colombia. We then reviewed a range of security issues. 

Tomorrow we will remain in Bogota and, along with the interpreters, meet with various workers and activists. Our travels which begin on Tuesday will carry us through parts of the country where strikes are occurring and there is a paramilitary presence. That was the tentative schedule!

Samantha reviewed background information regarding issues associated with the Colombian Free Trade Agreement. Congress is still under pressure from the White House to pass this bill.

Our rooms were great but only cost $60.00/night.                                                                  

With an early start and four meetings scheduled, I was ready for breakfast at 6:30 am. However, I got there at 5:30 am and wondered why no one came. The mornings are cool and the days seem to be mild but we are at 8,500 feet.

The first meeting was with Aldo Rojas, National President of the public health care workers union (SINDESS), and his Local Bogota, President. Colombia used to have universal health care. Rojas reports that privatization has caused a reduction of services and the layoff of 35,000 health care workers in the last 5 years. The government pays comparable pesos as prior to privatization, but now only 18 percent of the funding is actually reaching the point of service. The private companies, called co-operatives, profit greatly.

The next meeting was held at the national headquarters of the three major unions in Colombia. They are the CUT, the CTC and the CGT. They are like having three AFL-CIO’s. Their focus was issues associated with the Colombian Free Trade Act. They look to American Labor for assistance in ensuring the Free Trade Act resolves such issues as privatization (co-ops), laws prohibiting collective bargaining, threats of violence and murders on labor activists, kidnapping, paramilitary intimidation and criminal impunity. They served us lunch that seemed to be a large piece of beef jerky.

The third meeting of the day was with two representatives of Labor Studies Organizations, Luciano Sanin and Hector Fajardo. They gave a detailed overview of the union and labor situation in Colombia. Again, continuous violations of worker rights and human rights as a result of governmental labor opposition were a focus. They stressed the importance of the Free Trade Act being used as leverage for Colombian workers.

The final meeting was with Yessica Hoyos. She is the daughter of a murdered labor activist. Two thousand five hundred (2,500) labor activists have been murdered since 1986. Only 82 convictions have taken place. This year, the number of labor activists killed stands at 35. She told the moving story of her father’s life as a worker and labor leader. She then shared the horror of her father’s murder in 2002 by two assailants in the town square with seven bullets to the head. Reports of such occurrences are not that unusual in the Colombian society of today. She formed a group called “sons and daughters” of slain Colombian labor leaders. There are about 600 current members in the country. She is a champion regarding the replacement of impunity with meaningful convictions.

Early flight tomorrow into the coal mining interior. Until next time!

We caught an early flight to Valledupar which is in the North East of Colombia near Venezuela. Upon our landing, I knew we were in coal country as there were two huge blocks of coal placed strategically at the arrival gate. We met our new driver and Juan Aguas Romero, the Education Secretary for the National Union. He came from the port workers division of the union. We came to a mine workers meeting hall. Hundreds of workers were milling around the outside of the building. In unanimous solidarity, over three thousand miners shut the Drummond mine operations down completely for a week. Through our interpreters, we talked with miners about their working conditions. The individual stories of injuries, indiscriminate discipline, and worksite conditions were outrageous. The workers were eager to share their stories. We also talked to the press and found a great story in the paper the next day.

Excitement filled the air as miners began to move into the meeting hall upon the arrival of their leadership including Raul Sosa, the national president. Our Solidarity Center group was asked to sit on the stage with the leadership. The union leadership reported on negotiations. Chants of unity, bursts of enthusiasm and confidence erupted from the hundreds of miners throughout the report. As it turns out, the report was the result of negotiations for ratification or rejection by the workers. The miners voted to accept and we witnessed a huge gain on many issues for these coal mine workers in Colombia.

With many good byes, hugs and handshakes, we boarded our van and headed south. Many miles down the road we pulled over at a desolate dirt road intersection. The dirt road led to a mine entrance.

A large fallen tree trunk marked the location where mine President Valmore Locarno was murdered in front of 32 members while riding a company bus home from work at 6:00 pm. The paramilitary stopped the bus full of miners. They dragged President Locarno out of the bus and put a bullet in his head as the other workers watched. They then placed his body near a fallen tree trunk and warned the workers not to move or disturb the body. The President’s body was displayed as a warning to all of the workers who must pass by to and from work. The Paramilitaries then took Vice President Victor Hugo Argosita a few miles down the rode and killed him in a small shack. Standing at that site as we were told the story was very moving.

Still traveling, we stopped at a mine entrance and were enthusiastically welcomed by hundreds of miners picketing the Drummond Company outside the gates. We spoke with many workers one on one and heard of many violations of basic workers’ rights. We were also told how 50 to 60 children beg at the gates every morning – children of fishermen and farmers where the rivers and land have been contaminated by mining activities. Contaminated such that fish do not live and crops do not grow. These miners wrapped their arms around us and accepted us as part of their family. I spoke briefly to the workers about their leadership and ended with a rousing Si, se Puede. I was humbled by their solidarity and perseverance.

More miles of travel brought us to the small town of Chiriguana which will be our base of operations for the next few days. After checking in to a “quaint” hotel, we walked into the town square for supper. Imagine a small town plaza square, few cars, many bicycles and mopeds, young couples strolling arm in arm, elders sitting in doorways, dogs allowed to roam freely, Latin music softly drifting from all directions. It is hard to explain the unsettling conditions in which these workers live and work while at the same time, living life with dignity and with an air of confidence. Until next time, good night!  

We started the day with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Fruit juices and coffee are a mainstay. We will travel later in the day to meet with workers providing food services to the miners. Juan Romero and Darwin Ochoa are our guides. During breakfast, they explained how food service workers provide meals for the miners.

The typical miner work schedule: 12 hour workday for seven straight days, then 4 days off; then another 12 hour workday for seven straight days, then 3 days off. The cycle is then repeated. The miners are to receive three hot meals per workday. Food is prepared in a central kitchen area and transported to specific cafeteria areas. The food never arrives hot. The cafeterias are cargo containers that can be moved around underground or above ground regardless of dirt and coal dust.

Our first stop was a newly acquired union hall in Chiriguana. We were proudly given a tour of the building being remodeled to have offices, computer stations, a meeting room and a nursery or daycare. President Raul Sosa shared information on how the union started, the struggles involved, the growth of membership and the victories & defeats that defines the workers movement today. He is very unassuming with no pretense, dressed in the casual clothing of a mine worker. However, in his conversations about the union, there is no doubt about his intensity and toughness. As he traveled the day with us, we also witnessed his fairness and compassion for the workers he represents.  I am privileged to have spent time with Raul Sosa. He told us that on Oct. 7, 2001, 6 months after the assassination of the president and vice-president, new President Gustavo Mora was assassinated. 

Our next destination was a meeting hall in the mining town of La Loma where we met with food service workers. These workers had the worst conditions I could imagine. They worked 12 hours per day for 26 straight days and had 4 days off then worked 12 hours a day for 16 straight days and four days off. We were told about the unbearable conditions working for the private company where Columbian National law says it its illegal to have a union. These conditions include dehydrating heat, debilitating air quality, broken cooking equipment, sexual harassment, noise, gas fumes, health care deductions but no health care and excessive work hours. The food service work schedule: 12 hour days for 26 straight days, then 4 days off. Repeat the cycle.

Four hundred food service workers mounted a work stoppage. Miners can’t work 12 hour shifts without eating. The miners supported the work stoppage in solidarity. The food service workers persevered through unbelievable intimidation. There was no assistance from the government and the contractors who have close ties to the paramilitary assassins. Finally, the protest ended with the food service workers making some gains including reducing the work schedule to a 12 hour workday for 12 straight days, then 4 days off. Repeat the cycle.

Our next stop was with workers in the mining town of La Jagua Del Ibirico. We heard from individual workers who were fired last year for trying to join a union. It is referred to as the “labor massacre”. Some of the workers have been able to go back to work, but the majority cannot find work anywhere. The company has issued a “black list” to all employers of the region containing the names of the workers. We were asked to write letters to specific governmental officials requesting attention to this suppression of workers’ rights. I hope we have the influence that this group of workers believes we have! We were given information regarding the termination of workers who attempted to join or form a union in several other locations around the region. The impact on workers was exemplified by a truck driver, fired for labor activities and now black balled. “Look at me! See how I am dressed in these ragged clothes. I have a large family that I cannot take care of. I am a good worker but no one will give me a job because I am black balled. Please help me and help all of us!” I have to say that his request left me feeling determined to do something to help, but what the hell can we really do that has some tangible meaning? Well, I am going to figure out something.  

Dawn broke about 6:00 am this morning and found me awake and reading. I sorted out my dirty clothes in hopes of finding a local person that does laundry. We met in the hotel dining room for breakfast about 8:00 am. Our new interpreter, Jenna, joined us yesterday afternoon and is now part of the delegation. Samantha, talked to the hotel staff, they have someone that does laundry.

As soon as breakfast was finished, we departed for the union hall that was not far from the hotel. We met with mine workers injured on the job and are currently not back to work. Canes, braces, scars, wounds and paralyzed limbs were visible as we spoke with the workers. The miners injured on the job are bounced around among medical providers. The company has control of all facets of their care. As an example, the company medical officer contacts doctors that treat injured workers. The officer will make sure that the injured worker does not receive a disability determination that would allow for continuous compensation or that would require a job transfer. There are specific timelines abused by the company to terminate an injured workers employment. We spoke to dozens of forgotten workers whose job related injuries have place them in a never ending circle of seeking treatment, seeking job transfers and battling the system. Sound familiar? Every worker spoke with dignity and mutual compassion for each other. Many sincere thanks were given to us for visiting and having concern for their struggles.

Piece by piece, we are beginning to identify the complex issues regarding the struggle of Colombian workers. The Colombian government is not a friend of Labor. There are laws and agencies that exist to protect workers’ rights. The lack of enforcement and accountability renders such worker protections non-existent. Co-operatives are taking the place of companies as a worker’s classification is changed from a company employee to a co-op member. Current interpretations of Colombian law by the labor ministries does not provide workers of co-ops labor law protection as they are considered members and not employees. When a co-op worker attempts to join or form a union, the worker is fired without the labor law protections provided to workers classified as employees.

Colombian law makers directly or indirectly own co-ops for which they make the laws. The paramilitary is connected to the government, big companies and co-ops. Relentless intimidation, threats and violence are used in attempts to eliminate the perseverance that is critical of those striving for workers’ rights.  

Having spent a few days with our delegation, here they are. Rhett is the field representative of the Andean office of the Solidarity Center. Rhett is coordinating our activities with the appropriate people and transportation. He has been exceptional in making sure that we meet and talk with workers and their leaders whose conversations maximize the purpose of our trip. He is a very thoughtful individual with a hidden sense of humor that is occasionally found. Samantha works out of the D.C. Solidarity Center office. She has been key in working with Rhett and the delegation regarding the trip co-ordination, serving as an interpreter, sharing information and answering our questions. She has a bubbling personality with a quick wit.

Nancy is a CWA member and President of the Dallas AFL-CIO. She has insured conversations and information includes issues associated with female workers; pregnancy considerations, child care needs, family impacts and health and safety. She is not quick to talk, but when she does, there is a reason. Tim is a mine worker representative originally from the mines of Pennsylvania and now working in the National office. His knowledge of the industry is invaluable as we speak to workers from the coal mines. Quick to laugh, he could be one of our Building Trades workers. Bill is the Executive director of the Sacramento AFL-CIO. He has political relationships that can assist in applying pressure associated with the Free Trade Agreement. A great communicator, he has gotten several ovations from workers we visit. Our newest member of just one day is Jenna, our interpreter. She is serious and knowledgeable regarding labor and human rights in Columbia. I believe she is going to fit in. 

Ended the day with a Colombian rum and juice drink. We have a 6:30 am departure tomorrow so have a good weekend and until next time!

We left our base of operations, Chiriguana, this morning at 6:45 am. This town is in the middle of the state of Cesar where the mineworkers were helping set up meetings for us. A six hour ride brought us to our new base, Barrancabermeja. Along the way we stopped in Sintrainagro and met with workers in the palm oil industry. New Columbian laws and the decisions by the state agencies on how to implement these laws have decimated workers’ ability to organize and bargain collectively. There have been many intimidations, threats and violence in recent years as labor issues were addressed. The President of the Palm Workers Union was tortured and then killed for representing the workers. Surprisingly, we were told that the threat of violence is not the main reason for the decline in worker representation. Special ´´Co-operatives´´ set up in a new law authored by President Uribe when he was a Senator are the real threat to union membership. These fake cooperatives are simply contracting out work so that the worker is legally defined as an owner and therefore has no rights or protections under Columbian interpretations of administrative regulations. Since Colombia’s ´´labor reform laws´´ and the growing use of fake co-operatives, union membership has been reduced from 90% of the workforce to 10% today in the palm oil industry. As I explained in previous logs, co- ops have “members” and not employees. Co-ops are contracted to do the work previously performed by company employees but often on a piece rate basis. Labor laws do not apply to “members” as they do to employees. The members of the co-ops are required to supply their own tools, safety equipment, transportation, social security payments, health care payments and all other items necessary to work. These are generally purchased though the co-op and paid back with paycheck deductions. At times, a co-op member will miss work hours due to weather, sickness or injury. In addition, when the harvest is slow in the off season, the piece rate pay will be below minimum wage. When this occurs, it is not uncommon for the member to owe the co-op money at the end of the pay period and receive no pocket wages after paycheck deductions. One worker decried “For Union workers, our government has abandoned us! We have no short term hope in Colombia. Our only hope is international pressure from our labor brothers and sisters. Do not pass the Free Trade Act without real guarantees of worker protections in Colombia!” 

 Later in the day we arrived in Barrancabermeja and had 2 meetings. The oil workers union is one of the strongest in Colombia.

They have an outreach program that helps train leaders in weaker unions and educates community leaders on the advantages of strong democratic engagement. They believe that their survival is directly linked to the protection of human rights in the community. The ties are enough that the national government’s anti-union policies consistently attempt to break the strong bond that exists between this union and their communities. In fact, the oil workers´ union has put community benefits into their contracts The next meeting we had was with human rights activists and the leadership of unions representing workers in various industries including oil, fertilizer, health care, education and small farmers.

We were given example after example of failed labor policies in Colombia. Specific stories of violence, murders, torture, arrests, faked co-ops, prevention of peaceful protests, reduced pensions- increased retirement age, complete disregard of collectively bargained agreements and much more. We spent time with the recent past President of the Oil Workers Union. An attempt to assassinate him was made just three months ago. All of the oil workers union leadership has 24 hour armed body guards. In fact, two have been assigned to our delegation for the duration of our visit. The paramilitary and the para-politics of Colombia are a daily fact of life that have to be considered in every activity. Enjoy your weekend!