Violence overshadows agreement between ArcelorMittal and union to end strike

Dissident members of Mexican mining and metalworkers union SNTMMSSRM have used violence to maintain the occupation of ArcelorMittal's facilities in Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán state, even though an agreement was reached on Thursday night to end the 55-day strike.

In separate statements, the union, ArcelorMittal and the labor ministry confirmed that most of the 3,000 members of SNTMMSSRM's section 271 voted in favor of a proposal by the company during an extraordinary assembly and agreed to lift the strike, which was ruled illegal by a court and began on May 24.

“Unfortunately, a group of dissidents has chosen to continue the illegal blockade with acts of violence, putting the safety of those present and the population of the municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas at risk,” an ArcelorMittal statement published on Friday said.

The Luxembourg-based company called on authorities to uphold the rule of law and ensure security in the area. Likewise, it urged the union to enforce its statutes and respect the vote of the majority of unionized workers.

In a previous statement, published just after reaching the agreement, ArcelorMittal said activities could resume once the protocols for restarting operations were implemented and it was certain that the technical and occupational health and safety conditions were in place.

As of Thursday, the stoppage resulted in a production loss of 1Mt of steel, consisting of 800,000t during the strike and 200,000t due to the startup process, according to company information. “The cancellations of orders and the loss of customers have been very important, it will be difficult to recover the market,” it said