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More than 300 workers at the Kherson Engineering plant in the Ukraine occupied the plant’s administrative building in early February, protesting unpaid wages.

Workers occupied the building and then established a patrol to maintain a constant workers’ presence there. The workers have refused to leave until the company pays the back wages owed to them and the government nationalizes the plant, without compensation for the plant owners and investors.

The workforce, which numbers about 1,500, has not been paid since September. The total amount of back wages owed to workers totals between $550,000 and $630,000.

Work at the plant over the last few months has slowed tremendously due to a dispute between the company and its investors, as well as the drop in demand for the combines that the plant manufactures.

The workers and the union held a meeting during the first few hours of the occupation to elect a workers council and issue demands. Some of these went to the government, which the combine builders called on to increase funding for job growth, as well as to nationalize many other industries under the control of labor.

The workers have received tremendous support from members of the local government, and are asking for solidarity from around the world. Send them some at

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, and urge the Ukrainian Labor Ministry to hear the voices of the workers by writing a letter to 10 Esplanadne St., Kyiv, Ukraine 01023.

Expiration Date:
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 9:59pm