The BWI has received shocking news from our affiliated trade union the Chile Forestry Workers Federation (CTF). Rodrigo Cisternas, a subcontracted forestry worker was shot dead by police on Thursday night whilst taking part in the ongoing forestry strike in Concepción.

The CTF reports that more than 7,000 subcontracted workers of Bosques Arauco have been on strike since last Monday after their demand for a monthly raise of US$38 was rejected. Most forestry workers in Chile have basic salaries of under US$100 a month.

Around 2,000 workers from Celco's Horcones wood/pulp-processing plant suspended traffic around the plant between Concepción and the Arauco region Thursday night by blocking Route 160. The police attacked using tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets in an attempt to intimidate and disperse the striking workers. According to official accounts, Cisternas was shot by police three times after he attacked police vehicles with a front loader he was driving. Six other striking workers were detained by police, and scores were injured.

A massive funeral was held Sunday in the southern Chilean town of Curanilahue for the 26-year-old. Brother Cisternas was married and had one small child. According to press reports, the forestry worker was desperate and could not support his small family with the salary he received.

Cisternas' death is receiving widespread media attention in Chile and has re-opened the heated debate surrounding the use of cheap, subcontracted labour by large companies. The Central Workers Union (CUT) organized a protest Saturday in Santiago, where ten people were detained by police as they tried to block the central Avenue Alameda.

Jorge González, President of the CTF condemned the shooting as police brutality, entirely unprovoked, accusing them of intervening in the dispute on behalf of the company. Gonzalez praised Labour Minister Osvaldo Andrade for pressuring Bosques Arauco to end the dispute with a concrete offer for workers. "The minister is doing a good job," said González. "The government needs to keep pressure on the company. The company shouldn't be all powerful, and they have to respect the authority of the state."

Arauco announced today that their plant in Horcones will be temporally closed until a "climate of dialogue" can be established with the workers.

Previous articles on the ongoing strike

BWI call for solidarity: New strike at Arauco in Chile by CTF

Forestry workers in Chile reach an agreement

Call for Solidarity with Forestry Workers in Chile

Details about... (07/05/2007 - 25/05/2007) Chile Letter of protest to the death of striking worker   Union CTF   Company involved Bosques Arauco   Case summary We ask you to send a protest message to the President and the Labour Minister of Chile. Please feel free to write a letter of your own or use the model below.   BWI Action We write to you, deeply concerned by the news from the Confederación de Trabajadores Forestales (CTF) Chile, regarding the events of Thursday 3rd May at the Horcones plant of Bosques Arauco. One of the striking workers, 26 year old Rodrigo Alexis Cisternas, was shot dead by police who attempted to disperse the workers by using tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets. Six other strikers were arrested and several injured during these violent confrontations, after negotiations with the company broke down last week. We ask for your immediate intervention in this situation to investigate the facts of the case, to protect the rights of the workers concerned, and to ensure that the negotiations between Arauco and the workforce are conducted in a climate of respect for legal obligations and rights. Yours Faithfully,