R 021835Z APR 09
FM AMCONSUL HERMOSILLO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2702
INFO AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMCONSUL HERMOSILLO

UNCLAS HERMOSILLO 000078 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ELAB ASEC MX
SUBJECT: STRIKING UNIVERSITY STAFF STAGE DEMONSTRATIONS CLOSE TO 
CONSULATE 
 
SUMMARY 
-------------- 
 
¶1. Tensions are rising between the Employee's Union of the 
University of Sonora and University Administrators, as the union 
is demanding renegotiated salary contracts and is threatening to 
strike on April 3.  Due to ConGen Hermosillo's proximity to the 
University of Sonora and the Governor's Palace, there is a 
possibility that large demonstrations may pass near us, although 
it is not anticipated.  End Summary 
 
¶2. Classes at the University of Sonora have been suspended 
several times over the past two months due to a labor strike. 
The Union of Workers and Employees of the University of Sonora 
(STEUS) has engaged in several no-shows, the most recent of 
which was for three days ending  March 24.   Members of the 
union recently staged three marches, two of which went from the 
main building to governor's palace, about a kilometer away, to 
raise awareness of their plight.  STEUS is demanding a 20 % 
salary increase and is threatening to go on a full strike if its 
demands are not met by April 3. 
 
¶3. At least two other unions have expressed their solidarity 
with STEUS.  The Local 65 Miners' Union of Cananea, and the 
Union of Academic workers of the University of Sonora (STAUS) 
participated in one of the marches to the governor's palace. 
The Miners' Union of Cananea numbers slightly more than 1000 
members according to its website.  STAUS and STEUS jointly 
staged a work stoppage on March 9th.  STAUS claims that more 
than 1000 people participated in the march to the governor's 
palace at the beginning of the month. 
 
¶4. A 21-day strike last year by STEUS began in a similar 
fashion.  In March 2008, STEUS staged two work stoppages before 
launching a strike on April 3rd, 2008.  In response to 
demonstrations by STEUS, a group organized by students from the 
accounting and medical departments staged counter-protests 
against the strike. 
 
COMMENT 
-------------- 
 
¶5. CONGEN Hermosillo is located near the route from the 
university to the Governor's palace (one street west).  While 
there is potential for demonstrators marching near the 
consulate, there is no history of any problems related to 
strikes in the past.  Although a strike might be seen as a 
drastic measure, the breakdown of salary negotiations between 
STEUS and the university are a routine occurrence and one 
professor stated that it happens every year.  That 
notwithstanding, if the strike were to go on for an extended 
period of time, then the university would expand the school year 
into the summer, affecting 30,000 students in the UNISON  system 
- that includes the Hermosillo, Caborca, and Navajoa campuses. 
The participation of the miners' union, while adding numbers, 
appears to be little more than a public relations move.  The 
Local 65 has been striking for 19 months, without making any 
progress, in order to obtain better working conditions. 
According to the Miners' website, they are exhorting members to 
take the strike beyond the mine and into Hermosillo.  Expressing 
solidarity with STEUS provides the miners' union with the 
opportunity to bring the struggle to the city and out of the 
mine. 
 
BREIDENSTINE