DEL MONTE - "THIRTEEN YEARS OF 'LABOUR PEACE' WITH SOLIDARISMO"
(Banana Trade News Bulletin, October 1996)
Del Monte's biggest banana interests are in Costa Rica where it has pioneered an anti-trade union strategy amongst its plantation workers. In response to questions about its promotion of solidarista workers' associations, Del Monte's UK management wrote the following: "This is a concept that has existed in Costa Rica since the 1 950s [....] Bandeco (DM subsidiary) adopted this system in 1983. Since then, we have enjoyed 13 years of peaceful labour relations [...] The Solidarity Association (Solidarismo) and Company relationship is based on a document known as "Direct Agreement" (Arreglo Directo) which involves aspects related to social and economic factors that are negotiated every two years. Moreover, all conflicts that arise are channelled by the workers through the Committee of Labour Relations (Junta de Relaciones Laborales), a workers' organ created for these purposes [....] The statement implying that Solidarity Associations do not give workers the opportunity to discuss improvements in wages or health and security is totally untrue. The company provides its workers with two salary rises annually and constantly negotiates improvements in issues regarding health, security and leisure for workers and their families."
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