Evidence pointing to Mexico blacklisting migrant workers in Canada stands, says BC Supreme Court

Links

BC Supreme Court Judgement - Mexico vs BCLRB
15 Jan 2014

LRB Response to Mexico BC Supreme Court Petition

Declaration of Victor Robles re: Blacklist

Mexico labour ministry refuses to provide information
La Jornada – 20 March 2012

B.C. court asked to muzzle labour board on Mexican union busting
BIV Business Today - March 27, 2012

BC hearings start into Blacklisting of Mexican migrant workers
UFCW Canada – February 21, 2012

Labour Relations Board to examine alleged migrant workers' blacklisting
Vancouver Sun - 31 Jan 2012

B.C. labour activists rally for Mexican migrant workers
CBC News - December 18, 2011

Vancouver protest on International Migrants Day aimed at Mexico blacklisting
UFCW Canada - December 18, 2011

Migrant farmers discriminated after joining union
24 Hours - Vancouver - December 18, 2011

Concerns BC migrant workers are being blacklisted
News1130 - December 18, 2011

Santa gets political in Vancouver
London Free Press - December 17, 2011

"Stop the Blacklisting" protesters hold mock funeral outside Mexico Consulate in Vancouver
UFCW Canada - November 14, 2011

Migrant workers protest alleged union blacklisting
The Province - November 14, 2011

Mexican migrant workers picket consulate in Vancouver
Calgary Herald - November 14, 2011

Protesta contra Consulado Mexicano por crear listas negra
CNN EXPANSIÓN  - October 21, 2011

Labour sympathizers 'blacklisted'
Vancouver Sun - October 18, 2011

BC activists protest Mexico claim of immunity
UFCW Canada - October 17, 2011

Mexico claims immunity in B.C. charges
UFCW Canada - October 17, 2011

Members of Mexican Congress demand answers
UFCW Canada - May 27, 2011

Union busting allegations outlined at Mexico City media conference
UFCW Canada - May 18, 2011

Mexican Gov't Union Busting in BC, Charges Union
the Tyee - May 11, 2011

Charges allege Mexico consulate blacklisted migrant workers
UFCW Canada - May 10, 2011

Backgrounder media release, 10 May 2011

Mexico blocking labour activists: Canadian union
CBC News - May 10, 2011

Union accuses Mexican consulate of blacklisting farm workers
Metro Vancouver - May 10, 2011

Downloads

Declaration of Victor Robles re: Blacklist

Charges filed against Mexico and Sidhu

Charges filed against Mexico and Floralia, 28 April 2011

Evidence re:  blacklist activity

Mexico's claim of immunity, 19 August 2011

Union's response to Mexico's claim of immunity, 6 September 2011

Vancouver – January 17, 2014 – The Supreme Court of British Columbia has denied a petition by Mexico to quash documentary evidence and testimony that corroborates that the Mexican government blacklisted Mexican migrant workers from returning to Canada because they were suspected of being union sympathizers. The evidence had been presented in 2012 to the BC Labour Relations Board by UFCW Canada Local 1518.

The BCLRB hearings were stopped in March 2013, awaiting the hearing of Mexico's petition. The petition argued that because Mexico has sovereign immunity, the BCLRB should not have been allowed to receive and consider testimony from former consular officials, along with leaked consular documents and other Mexico files and documentary evidence that overwhelmingly pointed to blacklisting activity.

By striking down the petition, the case and all the evidence now return to the BCLRB.

"Mexico may be immune from sanctions, but the BC Supreme Court decision makes it clear that Mexico can't use sovereign immunity to hide the facts from the labour board," says Ivan Limpright, president of UFCW Canada Local 1518. "The evidence presented to the labour board pointed to blacklisting and collusion between Mexico and the farm where our members work. We are encouraged that the ruling brings the workers closer to justice by opening the way for the labour board to judge what really happened."

Mexico has 30 days to decide whether to appeal the January 15th BC Supreme Court decision to a higher court, "but the legal stalling by Mexico and the employers will not change the evidence," says Paul Meinema, the National President of UFCW Canada. "The workers know the truth and so does Mexico. Stop the blacklisting and let the labour board finish its business and deliver its decision."