Cananea

Frente Femenil Cananense was formed as a result of the 2008, brutal attack by 1,000 police on the miners and their families while walking picket sites.

In recognition of International Women's Day, Women of Steel on March 8 will kick-off their effort to raise funds in support of "Frente Femenil Cananense," the Cananea, Mexico, Women's Committee for the Miners "Los Mineros." 

In 2008, a delegation of Women of Steel traveled to Cananea to see first-hand the struggles of the miners and their families. They learned about the amazing strength of the workers and their families, but they also learned of the extreme needs in the community because of the anti-worker anti-union Government of Mexico.

USW Women of Steel show solidarity with "Frente Femenil Cananense" (The Cananea, Mexico Women's Committee for the Miners "Los Mineros").

During their visit, the Women of Steel delegation collected over $500 from among themselves in order to provide immediate relief of diapers and milk for the more than 190 children in Cananea, but the need has grown more desperate as the Mexican Government has descended upon the community shutting down their hospital, intermittently cutting off the water supply, freezing the union's bank accounts, and segregating the miner's children in school in an attempt to force the Miners back to work in unsafe conditions and destroy solidarity. 

"Support from USW Women of Steel has been instrumental in sustaining our strike at Cananea, providing vital financial resources and a huge boost to the morale of strikers and their families," said Napoleon Gomez, Los Mineros' President.

The people of Cananea need and deserve our support as they demonstrate what true strength in solidarity means. A small donation from those of us fortunate enough to still have a job will go a long way in assistance. 

Sometimes solidarity is a box of diapers.

Local Union Women's Committees and Regional Councils will be hosting fundraisers and events in support of the Cananea situation. Local Union Women's Committees and Regional Councils will be hosting fundraisers and events in support of the Cananea situation. The need in Cananea is imminent - if your Women's Committee hosts a fundraiser or you wish to make an individual donation, please make checks out to USW and send to the attention of Women of Steel, 5 Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 and note on your check that the money is for the Women of Steel Cananea project.

Click here to download a printable flier.

The women's efforts in Mexico are growing. On Jan. 28, the  National Front of Women in Struggle for the Dignity of the Workers of Mexico was formed. This organization is for the spouses of the miners on strike in Cananea, Sonora; Sombrerete, Zacatecas, and Taxco, Guerrero, as well as many other sections of the union. They have counted on the solidarity and work of women of other unions and organizations.

The new group will continue their efforts to provide solidarity and to serve as a voice for the strikers and their families and to work with groups that defend human rights.