Cancun, Q.R. — Cancun Home Depot workers protested outside the store Thursday, where they demanded a pay increase and better working conditions. Irritated workers stated that they are made to work extra hours they are not paid for and are also denied profit bonuses.
Around 50 employees made their voices heard Thursday during the late morning protest. They are requesting a 15 percent pay increase since the company is again, doing well in sales.
Julio Ávila Guzmán, commissioner of the Special Trade Committee of the Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CROC), said the protest was made after failed attempts at negotiations with company representatives who, according to him, say they do not want to meet with collaborators to adjust their salary as it should be on an annual basis.
“We are requesting a pay increase (…) we have already discussed it with the workers’ commission so that it is carried out as established in the collective contract, which was supposed to be reviewed between the union and the company since April 1, however this has not happened,” he said adding that the daily salary of a worker ranges from 220 to 400 peso.
“Every year the salary increase is reviewed, but this time, we have had the company’s refusal to sit down and review it,” he stated, adding that the continued avoidance of peaceful talks will lead to a strike of the more than 147 workers between the Cancun and Playa del Carmen locations where they too, are having similar issues.