On October 10, 2009, Mexican President Felipe Calderón ordered federal police to seize the power plants operated by the Mexican Electrical Union (SME), while simultaneously liquidating the state-owned Light and Power Company, and firing the entire work force of 44,000 employees. CUPE along with other unions and human rights groups around the world responded immediately, denouncing the government actions and demanding that the government follow the law and negotiate with SME.
CUPE represents thousands of members in the energy sector, and is extremely concerned about this attack on working people and public services. We have been working with our brothers and sisters in the U.S. and Mexico to build a strong movement for public control of energy.
Our union was part of an emergency delegation to Mexico to observe the situation first hand and to explore ways that we can assist. Hassan Yussuf, Secretary-Treasurer of the CLC lead the delegation with representatives from the CEP and USW along with Sister Shelly Gordon of CUPE. Sister Gordon is the lead researcher on energy issues for CUPE and a long time campaigner against privatization. You can read more here about the situation in Mexico.
