Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09HERMOSILLO78
2009-04-02 18:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Hermosillo
Cable title:  

STRIKING UNIVERSITY STAFF STAGE DEMONSTRATIONS CLOSE TO

Tags:  ECON ELAB ASEC MX 
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R 021835Z APR 09
FM AMCONSUL HERMOSILLO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2702
INFO AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMCONSUL HERMOSILLO
UNCLAS HERMOSILLO 000078 


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ELAB ASEC MX
SUBJECT: STRIKING UNIVERSITY STAFF STAGE DEMONSTRATIONS CLOSE TO
CONSULATE

SUMMARY
--------------

UNCLAS HERMOSILLO 000078


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ELAB ASEC MX
SUBJECT: STRIKING UNIVERSITY STAFF STAGE DEMONSTRATIONS CLOSE TO
CONSULATE

SUMMARY
--------------


1. Tensions are rising between the Employee's Union of the
University of Sonora and University Administrators, as the union
is demanding renegotiated salary contracts and is threatening to
strike on April 3. Due to ConGen Hermosillo's proximity to the
University of Sonora and the Governor's Palace, there is a
possibility that large demonstrations may pass near us, although
it is not anticipated. End Summary


2. Classes at the University of Sonora have been suspended
several times over the past two months due to a labor strike.
The Union of Workers and Employees of the University of Sonora
(STEUS) has engaged in several no-shows, the most recent of
which was for three days ending March 24. Members of the
union recently staged three marches, two of which went from the
main building to governor's palace, about a kilometer away, to
raise awareness of their plight. STEUS is demanding a 20 %
salary increase and is threatening to go on a full strike if its
demands are not met by April 3.


3. At least two other unions have expressed their solidarity
with STEUS. The Local 65 Miners' Union of Cananea, and the
Union of Academic workers of the University of Sonora (STAUS)
participated in one of the marches to the governor's palace.
The Miners' Union of Cananea numbers slightly more than 1000
members according to its website. STAUS and STEUS jointly
staged a work stoppage on March 9th. STAUS claims that more
than 1000 people participated in the march to the governor's
palace at the beginning of the month.


4. A 21-day strike last year by STEUS began in a similar
fashion. In March 2008, STEUS staged two work stoppages before
launching a strike on April 3rd, 2008. In response to
demonstrations by STEUS, a group organized by students from the
accounting and medical departments staged counter-protests
against the strike.

COMMENT
--------------


5. CONGEN Hermosillo is located near the route from the
university to the Governor's palace (one street west). While
there is potential for demonstrators marching near the
consulate, there is no history of any problems related to
strikes in the past. Although a strike might be seen as a
drastic measure, the breakdown of salary negotiations between
STEUS and the university are a routine occurrence and one
professor stated that it happens every year. That
notwithstanding, if the strike were to go on for an extended
period of time, then the university would expand the school year
into the summer, affecting 30,000 students in the UNISON system
- that includes the Hermosillo, Caborca, and Navajoa campuses.
The participation of the miners' union, while adding numbers,
appears to be little more than a public relations move. The
Local 65 has been striking for 19 months, without making any
progress, in order to obtain better working conditions.
According to the Miners' website, they are exhorting members to
take the strike beyond the mine and into Hermosillo. Expressing
solidarity with STEUS provides the miners' union with the
opportunity to bring the struggle to the city and out of the
mine.

BREIDENSTINE