CHILE’S FRUIT INDUSTRY BRACES FOR LABOR TURMOIL

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.tcgnews.com/santiagotimes/index.php?nav=story&story_id=15697&topic_id=15

Successful Strike In Copiapó Upsets Fruit Industry Leaders

(Jan. 8, 2008) Chile’s US$2.2 billion fresh fruit export sector is bracing for increased labor turmoil in coming weeks that could threaten the success of the 2007/2008 export season.

Labor activists in mid-December successfully organized fruit workers in the Region III city of Copiapó, home to Chile’s first-of-the-season table grape deal. Fruit growers were pressured to sign an agreement with the striking workers or face the possibility of not getting their fruit harvested, packed and exported.

The success of the Copiapó organizing effort led to creation of a “round table discussion group” that includes both fruit industry and labor leaders. The group met for the first time on Thursday, Jan. 3, and includes the nation’s three most important fruit related associations: Fedefruta (fruit growers), ASOEX (fruit exporters) and the National Agricultural Society, SNA, as well as representatives from labor groups.

“By forming this group our aim is to promote social peace in our country,” ASOEX President Ronald Bown told the business daily Diario Financiero. “We want a frank dialogue and want to work towards the future, to develop our country with justice, providing opportunities for everyone so we can build a better future.”

National Campesino Confederation (CNC) President Segundo Stelin, also a member of the new round table discussion group, said regular meetings to bring workers and fresh fruit industry leaders together were a good step forward, but he would not rule out further labor difficulties in the fresh fruit sector.

“I don’t want to scare anyone,” Stelin told The Santiago Times, “but I wouldn’t rule out anything at this point, if we are not able to resolve the needs of the people who are working in the fields throughout this country. Things could get serious.”


FULL story at link.

[midnight]

1. I'm a bit embarrased. What fruit are we importing from Chile?

[Omaha Steve]

2. Several

Remember the grapes with arsenic several years back. We get summer fruits in the winter from there.

[texanshatingbush]

3. I just bought fresh raspberries from Chile....

....and lots of grapes come from there.