As part of a six-member Solidarity Center delegation, Florida State AFL-CIO Vice President Mike Williams learned about Colombian workers’ constant struggle for social and economic justice—and why U.S workers need to hear their story.
Day 3—We caught an early flight to Valledupar, which is in the northeast of Colombia near Venezuela. Upon our landing, I knew we were in coal country as there were two huge blocks of coal placed strategically at the arrival gate. We met our new driver and were driven to a mineworkers meeting hall. Hundreds of workers were milling around the outside of the building. The miners walked off their jobs a week ago. In unanimous solidarity, over 3,000 miners shut the mine operations down.
Through our interpreters, I talked with miners about their working conditions. One miner said, “We are treated like pieces of coal, shipped in and shipped out, not like human beings.” The individual stories of injuries, indiscriminate discipline, and worksite conditions were continuous. The workers were eager to share their stories.
After an hour or so, excitement filled the air as miners began to move into the meeting hall upon the arrival of their leaders. Our Solidarity Center group was asked to sit on the stage with the leaders. I was asked to say a few words to the packed hall. Very briefly, I congratulated them on their unity and assured them that workers in the United States were standing with them in solidarity. One of our group, Tim Baker (a coal miner), spoke to them more specifically about issues. The union leaders reported on negotiations. Chants of unity, bursts of enthusiasm and confidence erupted from the hundreds of miners throughout the report. As it turns out, the report was the result of negotiations for ratification or rejection by the workers. The miners voted to accept and we witnessed a huge gain on many issues for mineworkers in Colombia.
With many goodbyes, hugs, and handshakes, we boarded our van and headed south. Many miles down the road we pulled over at a desolate dirt road intersection. The dirt road led to a mine entrance. A large fallen tree trunk marked the location where a union leader was murdered. The paramilitary had stopped a van full of miners on the way to work. They dragged the leader out of the van and put a bullet in his head as the other workers watched. They then placed his body at the fallen tree trunk and warned the workers not to move or disturb the body. The miner’s body was displayed as a warning to all of the workers who must pass by to go to work. Standing at that site as we were told the story was very moving.
Still traveling, we stopped at a mine entrance and were enthusiastically welcomed by hundreds of miners picketing the company outside the gates. We spoke with many workers one on one and heard of many violations of basic worker rights. We were also told how 50 to 60 children beg at the gates every morning. These are the children of fishermen and farmers where the rivers and land have been contaminated by mining activities—contaminated such that fish do not live and crops do not grow. These miners wrapped their arms around us and accepted us as part of their family. I was humbled by their solidarity and perseverance.
More miles of travel brought us to the small town of Chiriguana, which will be our base of operations for the next few days. After checking into a “quaint” hotel, we walked into the town square for supper. A streetside wooden picnic table was the common seating. Imagine a small-town plaza square, few cars, many bicycles and mopeds, young couples strolling arm in arm, elders sitting in doorways, dogs allowed to roam freely, Latin music softly drifting from all directions. This was the setting for our outside meal and bottles of local cold beer. It is hard to explain the unsettling conditions in which these workers live and work, while at the same time living life with dignity and with an air of confidence. Until next time, good night!
Click on the links below to read the rest of the daily logs:
Day 1, July 20: The Journey Begins
Day 2, July 21: We Meet True Worker and Human Rights Champions
Day 4, July 23: “What Can We Do that Has Some Meaning?”
Day 5, July 24: Meeting the “Forgotten” Workers
Day 6, July 25: “For Union Workers, Our Government Has Abandoned Us!”
Day 7, July 26: Worker Solidarity: “Do Not Forget Juan’s Face!”
Day 8, July 27: “The Most Beautiful Place in the World”
Day 9, July 28: An Informative Political Briefing
Day 10, July 29: “The Circle of Death” and Other Issues
Day 11, July 30: A Not-So-Sweet Homecoming
