USW Marks 20 Years Since Pasta de Conchos Mine Disaster, Calls for Continued Justice

The United Steelworkers (USW) union is commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Pasta de Conchos mine explosion in Mexico, which claimed the lives of 65 miners on February 19, 2006. The USW continues to stand in solidarity with Los Mineros, the Mexican mineworkers’ union and its leader, Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, in demanding accountability and justice for the victims and their families.

A Tragedy and a Fight for Accountability

The Pasta de Conchos mine disaster, one of the worst in Mexico’s history, occurred at a coal mine owned by Grupo México, a company controlled by Mexican billionaire Germán Larrea. Following the explosion, the company controversially halted search efforts after just five days, leaving the remains of all but two miners entombed within the mine [1].

Political Interference and Union Suppression

The USW recalls that the tragedy was exploited by then-Mexican President Vicente Fox to launch an attack on Los Mineros and Gómez Urrutia. This included raiding the union’s offices, arresting its leaders, and imposing government-backed unions in workplaces [1]. The USW assisted Gómez Urrutia and his family in seeking refuge in Canada, where he remained in exile until 2018.

Recent Developments and Ongoing Efforts

For many years, the Mexican government took no action to address the demands for recovery of the victims and accountability from Grupo México. However, following the election of President Andrés López Obrador and, more recently, his successor Claudia Sheinbaum, progress has been made. The remains of 25 workers have been recovered, and rescue operations are ongoing [1].

USW’s Continued Solidarity

The USW reaffirms its commitment to supporting Los Mineros and other democratic unions in Mexico as they fight for improved wages, health and safety protections, and respect and dignity in the workplace. The union emphasizes the importance of remembering the victims of the Pasta de Conchos disaster and continuing the pursuit of justice [1].

Grupo México’s History of Conflict

Grupo México has a documented history of labor and environmental conflicts, including the 2006 Pasta de Conchos disaster and a 2014 toxic mine waste spill into the Sonora River [2]. The company’s Asarco division has likewise faced unfair labor practice complaints in the United States stemming from a 2020 strike.

USMCA Rapid Response Case

In June 2023, the USW welcomed the U.S. Government’s acceptance for review of a petition against Grupo México under the rapid response labor mechanism of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) [2]. The petition, filed jointly by Los Mineros, the USW, and the AFL-CIO, alleges that Grupo México is violating Mexican labor laws by using strikebreakers at the San Martín mine in Sombrerete, Zacatecas.

The USW represents 850,000 workers across various industries, including metals, mining, and energy.