The president of the Sutiss trade union, Jose Rodriguez has said the Labor Ministry will no longer mediate in the conflict between the Sidor steel company and its workers. The announcement was made after Rodriguez met Executive Vice President, Ramon Carrizalez yesterday. The Labor Ministry had been pushing the union to hold a referendum among workers to end a deadlock reached during collective bargaining negotiations. According to the trade union leader, 3,238 of 3,300 workers have rejected the latest pay offer from Sidor and he says the goalposts have been moved with the involvement of President Chavez and the Executive Vice President. Rodriguez urges the government to consider nationalizing the iron and steel industry, alleging that they are strategic companies. The union also accuses the Sidor company of mistreating workers, pointing to 18 workers who have died because of alleged company negligence. During the meeting with the Vice President, the union suggested that 650 contract workers should be included in the collective deal.
Labor Deputy Minister, Rafael Chacon has accused the Sutiss union of sabotaging the proposed referendum, insisting that workers should accept the company offer of 44 bolivares, even though it is below the 50 bolivares the union has been asking for. Reporting on labor disputes at Coca-Cola and the Prevenca construction company in Aragua, Chacon claims they are on their way to being solved. However, in the case of the Coca-Cola plant, Chacon says he fears fighting could break out between current workers and pensioners.
The Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) is supporting President Chavez' call for a Patriotic Alliance and believes that the revolutionary Bolivarian process has currently reached a "higher qualitative stage." PCV leader, Pedro Eusse points out that the Patriotic Alliance will consist of the PCV, the majority United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Patria Para Todos (PPT), and the People's Electoral Party (MEP). The PCV, Eusse comments, has been pushing for such an alliance since 1999 and it means that all the factors supporting the process will come together organizationally. "The alliance will become the tool of the revolution and a strategic instance of political leadership ... it involves not only political parties but also social and revolutionary organizations." Eusse insists that the alliance is not an electoral ploy but an essential part of move towards collective leadership. As regards the choice of candidates for the regional elections this year, the PCV is against haste, stressing instead the priority of setting up programs and platforms with the people in each municipality and State. Eusse has welcomed President Chavez' intervention in the Sidor conflict, stating that subcontracting should cease because it is a neoliberal practice. On May 1, 2007, Chavez issued a decree banning subcontracting but there are still companies continuing the practice, Eusse complains, highlighting the positive approach of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) which has absorbed more than 5,000 workers, hired by third parties.
The National Executive has met presidents of cement transnationals, CEMEX, Holcim and Lafarge to explain its reasons for taking control over some basic companies to boost national development. Basic industries & Mining Minister Rodolfo Sanz, Light Industry & Trade Minister William Contreras, Habitat & Housing Minister Edith Gomez and Energy & Petroleum Minister Rafael Ramirez also attended the meeting. Afterwards, Ramirez stated that the three companies have shown that their disposition to go along with the process. The transnationals will appoint a representative to negotiate with a high-level government commission to establish the control scheme, which could be similar to that of the Orinoco oil belt joint ventures, namely state participation of 60% and 40% private capital. Negotiations will be bilateral, Ramirez continues, and he says he believes that in the short term the results will prove positive.
As President Mugabe prepares for a second round of voting in Zimbabwe's presidential elections, it has been learned that Venezuela is one of the few countries that have been allowed in as electoral observers. VHeadline Venezuelan News has been told that the Venezuelan team observing the elections has no official ties with the National Elections Council (CNE) but consists of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Relations (MRE) for Africa.
Former Baseball League of Venezuela president and Metropolitan University professor, Ramon Guillermo Aveledo has been chosen to organize an analysis of electoral processes and systems in the United States and Venezuela. The former Christian Socialist hierarch will be accompanied by University of Columbia professor, Rodolfo de la Garza. The talk is part of a series of activities to mark the US Cultural Week. The event will take place at the Metropolitan University (Caracas) and is open to anyone who wants to understand US culture, seek study opportunities and general information about the USA. There will also be a photo exhibition and two famous hip-hop artists will be flown in for a performance.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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