Gone, but not forgotten

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Contexto de página: Página principal > Revista 'Transporte Internacional' > Issue 34 - January 2009 > Gone, but not forgotten

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As the ITF brings its campaign on the death of Pedro Zamora to a close, we look at what has been achieved. By Marianne Powell and Alfonso Bahena.

By now, many union activists are familiar with the facts: in January 2007, Pedro Zamora was brutally murdered for his work as a trade union leader. He was the general secretary of STEPQ, the port workers’ union in Puerto Quetzal on the Pacific coast of Guatemala.

Zamora’s murder came as a terrible shock, but not a surprise. Guatemala is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for trade unionists. A recent report from the ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) indicates that the trade union movement is “subject to constant repression and trade unionists remain under threat. Labour legislation only exists in theory. Many cases of threats, attacks, kidnapping and raids on trade unionists have been reported.” Murders regularly go unpunished and it is estimated that the rate of impunity in relation to murders is 98 per cent.

After Zamora’s assassination, the ITF took action to support STEPQ immediately. It led a global campaign to protect other union members whose lives had also been threatened and helped the union in the struggles against arbitrary sackings that are thought to have led to the murder.

“No to impunity”

The ITF also helped to raise the profile of the “No to impunity” campaign, by generating media coverage and lobbying at a national and international level. This coverage motivated union members to remain strong despite the environment of fear and has to date prevented further attacks on STEPQ leaders.

Following Pedro Zamora’s murder in 2007, STEPQ leaders received multiple death threats, mostly by phone. The ITF undertook three missions to Guatemala and, since the last ITF visit in February 2008, no threats have been made. The ITF visits and the global campaign have helped the union to maintain an important profile with the new government and have put pressure on the justice system to investigate the case.

The Zamora campaign has now concluded. Out of adversity and with international support, the union has triumphed and achieved notable successes despite the loss of its leader.

Following an intensive campaign, the union’s achievements include:

• An honest dialogue with port authorities, who now take account of the union in important decisions.

• 105 jobs with permanent status given to casual workers who had been waiting up to 12 years.

• More than 100 promotions for workers already budgeted for, recognising their skills and experience.

• Privatisation is no longer the model for port modernisation. The port modernisation process is transparent and the union is at the table when decisions are made.

• The union’s membership has increased by 21 per cent since January 2008.

• Strong cooperation between transport sector unions in Guatemala has developed.

The ITF campaign against impunity for the murder of Pedro Zamora and pressure from STEPQ have also succeeded in obtaining commitments from the government: that it will pursue investigations to clear up the murder of Pedro Zamora; that it will abide by ILO Conventions 87 and 98; and that it will recognise the role of trade unions in national development. The ITF regional office has confidence that trade unions in Guatemala are receiving greater support from the government in protection of their rights to organise.

Why Pedro Zamora was killed

The assassination of Pedro Zamora took place after many months of bitter industrial conflict over management plans to restructure the port of Puerto Quetzal.

Zamora had received frequent death threats, including warnings to step down as general secretary of STEPQ. On a number of occasions, cars containing armed men were seen outside his house.

Conflict continued at the port, including the dismissal on 10 October 2006 of nine union members for taking part in mass assemblies. Later that month armed troops were brought into the port.

On 15 January 2007, Zamora was shot 20 times by multiple assailants who ambushed him and his children. After firing 100 shots, one assailant walked up to the wounded Zamora and shot him at point blank range in the face. Three-year-old Ángel was wounded in the attack.

Zamora’s last act had been to push the children to the floor to try and protect them.

His killers have yet to be brought to justice.

Over the course of the Zamora campaign, the UN’s International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) has been created.

International commission

The international commission, known by its Spanish acronym CICIG (Comisión Internacional Contra la Impunidad en Guatemala), will have an initial two-year mandate and will play a key role in investigating criminal activities of illegal, armed security and clandestine groups.

The commission’s work will support trade unions and other civil society organisations to improve justice and equality.

The regional role of the ITF should not be underestimated. The ITF InterAmerican regional office has been in constant contact with the STEPQ workers, providing solidarity and the support required to deal with any situation that might arise. It has also been keeping up to date with progress made in the investigation into the murder of Pedro Zamora.

“The ITF campaign shows what can be achieved when unions come together in international solidarity,” said Antonio Fritz, regional secretary. “Unions in this region face unique challenges, and it is only by working together that we can show we will not be defeated.”

Oscar Giovanni González, a member of the STEPQ executive committee, said that, thanks to the solidarity provided by the international community and by the ITF campaign in particular, murders of trade unionists at Puerto Quetzal have ceased. In addition, the government has promised to lend its support to investigations into the murder of Pedro Zamora. The union is forging ahead and applying pressure to have this case cleared up.

The current objective of the STEPQ is to support the development of Puerto Quetzal so as to consolidate its position as one of the leading ports in the region and to ensure that Guatemala achieves greater progress.

STEPQ union and the ITF will never forget Pedro Zamora, but both will continue to fight on behalf of workers for rights and respect.

Marianne Powell is ITF editor and Alfonso Bahena works in research and publications in the ITF Rio de Janeiro office.

Páginas afines:
Pedro Zamora | El asesinato de Zamora | Vídeo: La Muerte de Pedro Zamora | Justicia para Pedro Zamora

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Issue 34 - January 2009

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