Over 48,000 workers protest salaries and retirement plans.
According to the Dow Jones Newswires, over 48,000 sugar-mill workers throughout Mexico went on strike for salary increases and retirement plans. The Mexican labor organization SIAAC declared the strike after talks broke down Nov. 15.
Union members and industry representatives debated over a proposed 25 percent salary increase and a proposal to raise the retirement age to 65.
Members first requested a 50-percent increase but dropped it to 25 percent. The union is also fighting a proposal to move the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
The Mexican sugar harvest has begun in some areas with the rest to follow in December. A spokesman said Mexico has enough sugar in reserve to last three months if needed.