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Latin America

Bolivian workers mobilize against price increases

In response to the government’s cancelation of flour subsidies to the agricultural sector, and the resulting 40 percent increase in the price of bread, citizens and workers protested in La Paz, Bolivia’s capital city. In addition, there has been an explosion in prices for electricity and water, in some cases up to 150% in the last two months...

“Thousands of families exist between poverty and misery,” declared a spokesperson for a neighborhood group.

This was the first popular protest against the newly installed right-wing Rodrigo Paz administration.

Police attack peaceful protest opposing mining project in Argentina

On December 11, police violently attacked demonstrators in the City of Mendoza, Argentina who were carrying out a “noisy” peaceful protest defending the region’s water rights. The protesters were demanding that the San Jorge copper mining project (Proyecto San Jorge) be halted.

The police used tear-gas and rubber bullets to attack the protesters, who included workers, environmental activists, and members of the press. Many were arrested, including two journalists, Bautista Franco and Santiago Alboberro. At least seven were wounded. The Province of Mendoza is located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains that divide Argentina and Chile.

The Mendoza Popular Assembly for Pure Water (AMPAP) organized protests in various locations across the city of Mendoza to condemn the provincial legislature’s December 8 approval of the project, despite mass popular opposition. The mining project, which the administration of Argentine President Javier Milei also promotes, would contaminate the Mendoza River with toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Seventy-five percent of Mendoza’s residents depend on the river for drinking water, as do farms and industries throughout the region.

In 2019, mass demonstrations managed to stop a similar mining proposal, with legislation enacted banning the use of toxic substances in mining, forcing the provincial government to abandon the project.

Student strike at Mexico’s National Pedagogic University continues

Students who have been on strike for six weeks against the National Pedagogic University (UPN), demanding resignation of director Rosa Maria Torres, massive investments in infrastructure repairs at the University, student scholarships and financial help for research workers, denounced the latest false reports by UPN management that negotiations are taking place. The students are being supported by professors and other university workers, one of whom spoke to the Mexico City daily La Jornada: We’ve taught under leaky ceilings, ended up with wet feet; we spend days with no electricity; we have intermittent Internet,” she declared.

Visiting reporters described humid odors, caused by leaky roofs, cracked classroom walls and broken ceilings.

University workers have also confirmed that no negotiations have taken place: “They do not listen to students and insist that only a small group of students is complaining. The truth is that conditions are deplorable.”

United States

Ohio teachers rally in wake of 10-day strike notice

Over 150 teachers and their supporters opened a strike headquarters and rallied December 8 to press for the Ross Local School District in Ross County, Ohio to come to an acceptable agreement after months of unproductive negotiations. The previous week, teachers voted to grant strike authorization and issued a ten-day strike notice that paves the way for a walkout, which would affect some 2,800 students at five district schools.

According to press reports, neither the Ross Education Association (REA), nor school Superintendent William Rice have been willing to divulge any details concerning issues that separate the two sides. The old agreement expired August 31 and that contract has been extended as talks continue.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported one teacher, Amy Brossart, as saying teachers will “need to see an adjustment to the salary schedule before they’ll sign,” and that REA members have declared “that the current, extended contract lags in pay step increases for veteran classroom instructors, among other employment issues.”

Proposed school closings roil Minnesota school district

Students at the FAIR school in Crystal, Minnesota, held a protest December 11 in the facility’s theater while parents rallied outside to oppose threats by the Robbinsdale School District to close schools due to a looming $14.2 million budget deficit.

The district is mulling over the closure of Robbinsdale Middle School and the possible closure of two of four elementary schools. Public hearings will be held, and a final school board vote will come in January. The closures would take effect in the 2026-27 school year. The board is also discussing the future consolidation of high schools.

Teachers are also targeted for cuts. “About 80 percent of our budget is people, is staff, so yes, unfortunately, there is going to be no way to make these reductions without impacting staff,” declared Superintendent Teri Staloch. “A budget reduction process this large; we’re going to be looking at everything.”

The crisis was exacerbated by an accounting error that applied a $20 million compensatory funding twice during past budget planning. The recent rolling back of the $20 million error has added to community anger. At a town hall meeting back in November, district parents vented against the board and demanded the superintendent and district chief financial officer take pay cuts.

Canada

Ottawa airport in-flight meal prep workers strike

About 50 workers employed by Gate Gourmet, began a strike December 14 in pursuit of a significant wage increase and improved working conditions. The workers, members of the Teamsters union, cook, package and deliver in-flight meals, beverages, and supplies for departing flights at Ottawa Airport.

Gate Gourmet is the largest airline catering company operating out of Ottawa. Airlines affected by the strike include Air Canada, West Jet, Sunwing, Air France and Canada North as well as private jet flights. The company has already began deploying scab labour in an effort to break the strike. However, at this point airlines are expecting to operate without in-flight food and beverage supply.

Workers currently earn poverty wages of between $17.74 and $19.77 per hour and are seeking to close the gap between themselves and their fellow workers at Gate Gourmet operations in Calgary. Workers there earn $5 per hour more performing the exact same jobs as the Ottawa crews. Workers are also demanding that veteran workers be moved off a part-time scheduling system and designated as full-time with a predicable work schedule.