Jimena Lopez is the founder of Ecuador’s SITA (Sindicato de Trabajadores de Aerolane) union and was unjustly sacked from her cabin crew job. The ITF is making her the centrepiece of its mobilisation around 8 March, which will also include the sending of a special mission to Ecuador to promote her cause.
ITF women transport workers’ coordinator Alison McGarry commented: “Jimena was sacked by LAN Ecuador – part of the LATAM holdings group, the largest airline in Latin America – following a successful recruitment drive for the union. That dismissal was not only a clear attack on her and everyone who wants to join the union, but also unconstitutional, as the national government has stated.”
“The call has gone out to LATAM CEO Enrique Cueto Plaza,” She continued. “He must listen to the airline’s workers and to public opinion. Jimena must be reinstated.”
The eight strong union delegation, which brings together trade unionists from Argentina, Chile, Guyana and the United Kingdom, will meet with Jimena, SITA members and other workers; join the International Women’s Day demonstration on Sunday 8 March in Guayaquil; and hold talks with Ecuadorian government representatives.
To find out more and follow what ITF unions are doing on 8 March visit www.8March2015.org. You can support Jimena via www.labourstart.org/go/jimena.
The ITF is using these hashtags for International Women’s Day: #supportjimena, #apoyandoajimena, #IWD.
