Victory for Grand Marnier workers in Haiti

Grand Marnier had faced pressure from the newly formed trade union SOML (Sendika Ouvriye Marnier Lapostelle) which represents 300 workers at the plantation, and also from an international solidarity campaign.

Grand Marnier had stalled the negotiation process for nearly a year. In June, without any consideration for the difficult situation of the workers, Daniel Zephir, Grand Marnier's local manager, left the talks and went to France for his summer vacation. However his stay in France coincided with the launching of a letter campaign in support of the workers by War on Want and trade unions in England. In less than a week, Zephir, a target of the campaign along with Grand Marnier’s central office, had to rush back to the plantation and informed plantation workers and officials of the Haitian Labour Department that he had received formal instructions to conclude this round of negotiations. On July 25 2000 Zephir, SOML members and representatives of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour in Haiti signed a formal document in which they laid down some provisions for changes regarding working conditions and wages.

The Union’s position remained steadfast, and endorsed unanimously by every worker at the plantation, throughout the negotiations. They believed that their original demands were modest and had been surprised by the ferocious resistance of Marnier's management. In addition, their salary demands dated back a year, with inflation of 12%.

• Day labourers were asking for 100 gourdes and received 95 gourdes per day ($4.75) a 55% rise
• Pickers were asking for 7.35 gourdes per box, and received 7.25 gourdes per box a 57% rise
• Cutters were asking for 25 gourdes per box, and received 25 gourdes per box
• Graters were asking for 35 gourdes per box, and received 35 gourdes per box

In addition, pickers received the promise of assistance by a second person to collect the oranges from the ground and cutters were guaranteed the retention of the 2 worker-team.
Even more importantly, Grand Marnier stated: "these salaries should be reviewed in the future, according to economic changes… the company intends to continue the process of improving working conditions and will work toward changing the material conditions and existence of the plantation personnel".

This campaign has highlighted the potential of international solidarity action by trade unions. War on Want and Batay Ouvriye would like to thank all those who took part in the action. Batay Ouvriye will continue to struggle for improvements at the plantation, and the enforcement of Haitian labour law throughout the country. War on Want will keep you informed of developments at the plantation on the continued struggle for workers rights on an global level.