Fellow Worker,
I just received a copy of this correspondence (slightly edited) from Brazil. Messages of solidarity should be sent to: mcarmei@usp.br
Bruce Allen
Dear Ron
Since last Thursday the Ford’s Ipiranga workers are on a strike. As you know Ford is in negotiation to built a new plant in Brazil. They had decided build it in Rio Grande do Sul (they had got lots of “gifts” from the government of the state) but in the last state governor’s election the Workers’ Party (PT) won in Rio Grande do Sul and starded to discuss all the fiscal “gifts” Ford had got before. So Ford started to negotiate with other states and just two weeks ago anounced they will build the new plant in the state of Bahia. (they got lot of money from the government; about U$ 1,8 millions over ten years)
Last week Ford anounced that when the new plant in Bahia would start to work they will close the plant from Ipiranga. The workers gave them the answer that they deserve: strike to negotiate job guarantee. The yellow union (they are in it as you know) tried a negotiation where Ford said that would not dismiss anyone until the end of this year and in the next year they would transfer the production that is made in Ipiranga plant (trucks) either to the plant from Taubate or São Bernardo’s plant. And that they would transfer the workers but they could not guarantee all the workers when they make the move next year.
The yellow union tried to convince the workers to go back to work on last Friday and they said no, the strike will continue. Tomorrow there will be a new assembly and probably they will go marching in a demonstration to the Sao Bernardo’s plant (12 km) tryng to unify the movement.
The people who are leading the strike are Cearo, Paulão, etc that you met a few weeks ago. Tomorrow morning I will go with Franco Grizolia to the assembly. If you can send a message of support would be very important.
Didi