Mexico Mine Union on Strike for Recognition of Leader

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=avxQQ.yFCuzY&refer=news

By Andres R. Martinez

May 26 (Bloomberg) -- Mexico's largest mining union said workers walked off the job today as part of a one-day, nationwide strike to protest the government's delay in recognizing the re- election of Napoleon Gomez Urrutia as its leader.

Union organizers will meet later today and may decide to extend the strike if demands aren't met, Gomez Urrutia said from Vancouver. About 70,000 workers walked off their jobs at 7 a.m. local time at 85 operations across the country, he said. The Labor Ministry said in a statement that 19,500 workers joined the strike today.

``We are tired of all these attacks and aggression against us,'' Gomez Urrutia said in an interview. ``The workers have a right to choose how they represent themselves without the government getting involved.''

Mexico's Labor Ministry said it halted official recognition of Gomez Urrutia after he was re-elected on May 6 because of eight complaints from union members, some of whom questioned whether Gomez Urrutia can serve as secretary general while living in Canada.

Gomez Urrutia, who replaced his father as head of the union, moved to Canada in 2006 to avoid embezzlement charges in Mexico. He has denied the charges.

Mining companies may fire the workers who left their posts this morning if they participate in at least three days of illegal strikes during a 30-day period, the Labor Ministry said today. The ministry has said it needs 60 days to review Gomez Urrutia's re-election.

19 Strikes

FULL story at link.