Banana Workers, Fruit Companies, and Retaliation in Guatemala

The work of SITRABI and other unions in Guatemala is part of a complex and often brutal labor history. It is important to understand the context that Maria organizes in. The context is complex and in truth starts with the colonization of the Mayan people of Guatemala centuries ago. That amount of information is really outside of my scope of knowledge and is so rich that of course I am unable to address it all here. So what I have done is try to construct a simple historical timeline of fruit companies' involvement in violent repression of primarily indigenous workers both in history and currently.

Bandegua, Del Monte, Chiquita and United Fruit

Maria actually works for a company called Bandegua Bandegua
which is a subsidiary of Del Monte Fresh Produce (DMFP) Del Monte was formerly United Brands Company AKA Chiquita. Chiquita used to be United Fruit Company (UFC). The UFC, Chiquita and Del Monte have all attempted to silence workers and their supporters. UFC helped finance a military coup in 1954 of Jacobo Arbenz Guzman, a socialist president, whose land reforms and union support threatened the UFC's interests.

Violence and Organizing

Intimidation and violence against Organizers in Guatemala by corporations, the government and paramilitaries all working in collusion is still a current daily reality. Some of the fear tactics currently being used are kidnapping, physical violence, and murder. Last year union organizer Marcos Tulio was killed on the plantation that Maria works on. He was shot outside of his home. The circumstances surrounding his assassination are intriguing to say the least. At the plantation any visitor coming in or going out must leave their license plate number at the guard shack--stationed at the entrance--as well as sign in and out. However there is no record of the alleged shooters vehicle. His murder is still unsolved.

Overcoming Oppression

Despite the history of persecution of unionists in Guatemala they have still been able to bargain for better pay, work conditions, education, public health programs, and pension housing. Maria works with the unionistas to organize radio programs, workshops and to write books on topics ranging from political education, child support, patriarchy, and femicide. The Unions educational outreach and its topic diversity shows how versatile and adaptable the union is. It is able to meet the needs of women both as workers and as members of the 'underclass' in a patriarchal society.


What Can You Do?

Locally ask your supermarket to sell fair trade fruit.

Get involved with a national action.