Navarro José
Pechiney Aluminium
SYNDICATS C.G.T. et U.G.I.C.T. C.G.T AUZAT; SABART; MERCUS
phone: 00 335 61 02 40 93
fax: 00 335 61 02 40 92
Comrade Dockers,
Please find in this exchange the fraternal salute from my union and all our encouragement for the pursuit of your rightful protest.
On the eve of the 21th century, the exploitation of men by other men for the thirst of money has still not disappeared from the planet.
Employers world-wide are organising themselves not hesitating to go as far as putting children in the labour force principally in under developed countries, but today more and more in Europe. How far can the modern employer go towards a return to a civilisation known at the beginning of the century. So the social guarantees acquired through the great struggle, often at the price of the lives of our fathers and mothers, are today being questioned in each country that they are found. In defending your rightful status as dockers you are fighting against this u-turn which will only bring about further u-turns towards the past. Through flexibility and precariousness it is towards slavery and total submission that they would like to return us to if they can.
We the workers of Pechiney Aluminium, are confronted with the same problem. The attack is the same: blackmail of employment, blackmail of our existence, the closing down of,our factories.
In our company there are no redondances. Through a game of early retirement, paid for mostly by the state, our employers move personnel from factories which are closing down to those which are still active, while managing important productivity gains. Since 1980 the number of employees has been reduced from 6200 to 2800, all the bauxite mines have been closed as well as 8 out of 12 of the aluminium.producing factories, against this a new factory has been built in Dunkerque.
In all the regions where the factories have been closed all the economic branches has declined: interim work, public services, private and liberal sectors, which means unemployment. Social life has slowed down. The young leave the countryside, depopulating the towns and villages, moving to the cities which become overpopulated leading to deliquesce, drug abuse and corruption which are increasing at an alarming rate.
The nation carries the heavy burden of the consequences of the terrible decision being made by a minority of employers.
In Ariege, where I live, there are still 3 factories remaining but they are scheduled to be closed down.
For 15 years now my comrades and the local population have been battling against this large scale situation, the source of unemployment, trying to impose other choices.
Our main concern is the existence of present day resistance, and the solidarity of employees and non employees in France and throughout
the world against the ultra-liberalism and the global market which have only one aim bigger profits. To continue to communicate to all corners of the planet specifying the importance of an economy which must turn around the needs and satisfaction of all man kind, and not, as is always the case, more and more money for a small number of capitalists.
Comrade dockers of Liverpool, across the ocean countries our primary solidarity must be conducted on the knowledge of our identical struggles around one common interest: HUMANITY.
Please transmit our solidarity to Ken Loach who we hope to see again and thank him for having allowed the dockers and the worker of Pechiney to meet and communicate.
Good luck for you and your families.
Navarro José
