News From USW: USW Applauds Colombia Government’s Decision To Investigate Drummond for Paramilitary Links

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--News From USW: The USW lauded an announcement by the chief law enforcement officer in Colombia that the government there is investigating allegations that Drummond paid right-wing paramilitaries to murder three trade union leaders working at its coal mining operations in Colombia.

“the continued anti-union violence in Colombia, where over 72 trade union leaders have been killed in 2006 alone, is reason enough for the U.S. to end its policy of giving military aid to that country and refuse to enter into a free trade agreement with Colombia.”

A report of the investigation appeared in today’s El Espectador, a major daily newspaper in Bogota, Columbia (www.elesectador.com). The news comes on the heels of the recent guilty plea by Chiquita Banana of making illegal payments to paramilitaries in Colombia.

On behalf of the families of the murdered Colombian coal miners and their union, the USW, along with the International Labor Rights Fund, filed a civil case in federal court in Birmingham, Alabama, five years ago alleging that that Drummond was responsible for the killings of the top union leaders at its La Loma Mines – Victor Orcasita, Valmore Locarno and Gustavo Soler.

In the Alabama lawsuit, the judge ruled on March 5, 2007, that the Colombian union of miners, SINTRAMIENERGETICA, and the families of the deceased can go to trial on their civil claims against Drummond Coal’s subsidiary, Drummond Ltd, based in Jasper, Alabama, as well as the president of that company, Augusto Jimenez. Now, with the announcement of the criminal investigation in Colombia, Steelworkers leaders can see the wheels of justice beginning to turn for the miners’ union and the victims’ loved ones in their home country.

“Our union has been decrying anti-union violence in Colombia for many years now,” said USW President Leo W. Gerard. “Finally our voice is beginning to be heard, both in the U.S. and in Colombia.”

Gerard added that “the continued anti-union violence in Colombia, where over 72 trade union leaders have been killed in 2006 alone, is reason enough for the U.S. to end its policy of giving military aid to that country and refuse to enter into a free trade agreement with Colombia.”

A key witness in the Drummond case, Rafael Garcia, who is in prison in Colombia, was quoted in the Washington Post this morning saying that he fears for his life and that he needs to be put in a witness protection program in order to be able to continue speaking out against the crimes of Drummond which he witnessed. The USW has urged officials of both the U.S. and Colombian governments to take steps to extend such protection to Mr. Garcia.

Last week, another company with operations in Colombia, Cincinnati-based Chiquita Banana, pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court to paying $25 million to both AUC paramilitaries and the FARC, a left-wing guerilla group, both listed by the U.S. as terrorist organizations.