On Monday, August 10 workers initiated the official registration process for union certification. By this time, a letter already has reached the owner of Megatex, Mr. Michel Liautaud, listing the entire union executive committee. This step constitutes a huge risk for the workers named, who are now subject to arbitrary firing. Management may seek to destroy the union by removing its leadership.
International pressure is crucial.
Batay Ouvriye reports that international pressure following our July 30 alert appears to have had good effect because the suspended workers were reinstated and no further firings have taken place. Batay emphasizes that international pressure will be particularly important during the next few days in order to head off a new wave of repression at the factory. Letters sent now to pre-empt arbitrary firings could prove essential to the progress of workers' struggle at Megatex. Please do not neglect to send the cc to Megatex owner Michel Liautaud. He is, in fact, the primary focal point of this alert.