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Assault by AP on Workers Rights in Mexico
December 10 marks the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes the “right to form and to join unions’ in the list of our most fundamental freedoms. Associated Press recently fired five Mexican journalists in an attempt to wipe out their union. Representatives of the US based news service said the action was a part of worldwide plan to rid the AP of all unions.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: AP's Assault on Workers' Rights
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am writing to express my dismay over recent actions of the Associated Press that undermine the prospects for sound industrial relations. In particular, I am concerned about recent developments in Mexico suggesting AP wants to eliminate agreements with unions representing its editorial workers. This calls into question the news service's commitment to respect rights of journalists to organize unions and bargain collectively.
In coordination with other journalists and trade unionists around the world, I am asking you to make a clear,unequivocal statement that AP will not seek to terminate its collective bargaining agreements with unions across the globe.
Your explicit assurance on this matter will allay fears that AP, one of the world's leading news agencies, is intent upon a policy of anti-unionism that could damage the company's reputation for fairness and respect for basic democratic rights.
December 10 is International Human Rights Day, a day when people all over the world are asked to recall the value of basic liberties and the right of everyone to live their lives with security and dignity. It is an appropriate moment to ask you to ensure that your own employees are guaranteed their right to form and participate in unions, according to international labor standards.
Respecting trade union rights and allowing AP staff to work under decent working conditions will guarantee a stable system of industrial relations and create an enabling environment for journalism of the highest quality.
I stand united with AP employees in the U.S. as the News Media Guild bargains to achieve a fair contract here, and I urge you to continue honoring the collective bargaining agreement that AP has with the Mexican journalists'union Sindicato Nacional de Redactores de la Prensa (SNRP). AP needs to make a fresh commitment to honor union rights in every country.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
December 08, 2005
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The International Federation of Journalists today called on Associated Press, the international news agency, to abandon a union-busting exercise at its offices in Mexico City and to respect union rights.
In particular, the IFJ says the company should use its 37-year-old collective bargaining agreement to negotiate the settlement of a dispute with the Mexican journalists’ union over five staff members who face dismissal.
The IFJ says the company’s dismissal of the five workers is a blatant attempt to wipe out its obligations under the collective bargaining agreement with Mexico’s Sindicato Nacional de Redactores de la Prensa, which represents the dismissed staff members.
“The case is bewildering because the SNRP and its members have had a good relationship with AP management in Mexico for years,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “We cannot understand why AP should dismiss five seasoned and talented workers. This case also raises concerns about the AP labor strategy and the possibility that its new global approach may be to slash costs by cutting personnel and collective bargaining agreements.”
Managers in Mexico singled out the four editorial assistants and one unionized supplemental editorial assistant as workers who had to be dismissed for economic reasons. The company has refused to negotiate with the union or look for other cost-cutting measures so that the five workers can keep their jobs.
“It is clear that the Associated Press is eager to rid itself of the collective bargaining agreement we have had for nearly four decades,” said Rogaciano Mèndez Gonzalez, General Secretary of SNRP-Mèxico. “It has shown no regard for the collective bargaining agreement nor the lives and careers of the five workers involved. All our attempts to find other ways to cut costs have been rebuffed.”
Many of the IFJ’s affiliated organisations around the world have Associated Press journalists within their membership.
Last week the IFJ asked AP Chief Executive Thomas Curley to investigate this case and to seek a negotiated settlement for the dispute.
“The management gave the impression they were ready to be reasonable,” said White. “But it looks as though they just want to eliminate a union presence in their Mexico operation. That will send a worrying signal to unionized AP offices the world over.”
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
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