The Federation of ANCAP Officials (FANCAP) published a press release this Tuesday morning in which they reaffirm their position and the reasons why they have decided to carry out a total strike during the day.
This is the full statement:
Today marks a new anniversary of the historic popular triumph in the 2003 referendum, at that time (like today), a people aware and committed to the social, productive and economic role of the EEPP in general, and of ANCAP in particular, left in search of the feat and conquered it. The conditions were not in place (like today) and it seemed impossible (also like today), but the conviction turned into organization and the organization into militancy and together they gave birth to hope (like today), driven by rebellion, dreams and conviction. First there were 675,000 signatures and then a resounding 62% of Uruguayans and Uruguayans who said that the fuel monopoly should remain in the orbit of the state and that ANCAP should remain STATE and PUBLIC.
The working class and the popular sectors will defend the will of the sovereign, the decision of the people must be respected, it does not depend on the government in office or a circumstantial majority, the “P” of ANCAP is not for Privatization, it is from Portland and we defend it . They tell us that “the fate of Portland is cast”, “that there is nothing to do”, the same they told us about the referendum, if we do not give room to something it is resignation, this union will fight on its feet to maintain the cement industry in the hands of the state. The workers of ANCAP are highly committed to ANCAP and its role in national development, for us to keep the plants producing and “the ANCAP flame” lit represents a lot.
Today we stop the refinery but Uruguayans should know that we workers try until the last minute to avoid this situation, the only person responsible for the refinery shutdown is the President of ANCAP.
The MTSS authorities know it, the labor minister as well, they were the only ones who showed willingness to find a solution throughout the weekend (that is why we are surprised by the statements of the President of the Republic).
The workers of ANCAP are committed to the supply of essential services and the general population, as well as the formation of union guards to maintain complex production processes.
A few days ago ANCAP unilaterally denounced the collective agreement and the obligation to grant union guards fell, however, our will for dialogue and to preserve the general interest remained.
On Friday the 26th we made a national general strike and mobilization in Minas, also in defense of the state cement industry and granted the guards even though we no longer had any obligation, and today we ensure the complete supply throughout the country.
In the first instance, we proposed to the Entity to extend the terms of the agreement while a new one is being discussed, ANCAP did not accept, and finally yesterday at the MTSS, with the aim of not stopping the refinery, we proposed to maintain the agreement (which was 30 years old) for 15 days. Furthermore, we know that the negotiating authorities agreed, but the president of ANCAP said NO again.
It is not true that the refinery shutdown was done “in an unplanned manner that implies very high risks of a subsequent breakdown”. Fancap and ANCAP defined a safe and planned shutdown. it will proceed to stop the units according to the usual plant shutdown procedures and instructions, prioritizing the safety of people, the environment and the facilities »(attached minutes).
It is not true that there is a need to import fuels due to the refinery stoppage, ANCAP has enough stock to supply it for several days as recorded in the inventories.
Our people deserve to be told the truth, something that ANCAP does not do in its communiqué, nor any of its authorities in public statements, however, we recognize the intermediation of the MISS, guaranteeing the normative framework of collective bargaining and the right to strike and We publicly ask the President of the Republic for the meeting that he promised to convene when they have a resolution on the future of Portland.
As “Chango” De Mello said on the historic night of December 7, 2003: “We are going to be vigilant so that the citizen’s pronouncement is not mocked and the people’s decision is respected”, this cause encourages our militancy and we will spare no effort in the struggle, always preserving the general interest for which ANCAP needs to be state and public in all its areas of production, promoting the development of the country and the investment of the state in its people.
Health, Uruguayan people Long live the working class
ANCAP-MSCE-CSA-PIT-CNT FEDERATION
