Major Banana Strike in Colombia Ends

After a 13-day strike and a strenuous negotiation process, seventeen thousand workers in Colombia are returning to the banana plantations of Urabá.  On May 20, 2009, SINTRAINAGRO and banana company representatives signed a two-year collective bargaining agreement granting workers an 8% pay increase for the first year and an equivalent of the national established inflation rate for the second year. 

Another demand met was the increase in bonuses and benefits that exceed the legal requirements at the same rate as their salaries as benefits do.  The agreement, which covers workers from 296 distinct plantations, also respects the contracting systems in place and the 48-hour workweek, without exceeding 10 work hours Monday through Thursday and 8 work hours on Fridays. 

Workers went on strike on May 8, 2009.  The companies have agreed to pay workers a portion of their salaries lost during the strike.  SINTRAINAGRO is the largest banana union in Latin America and the largest private sector union in Colombia.