Revelation of Electrical Workers Union's vast holdings prompts controversy
By Alexander Medina and Erick Zúñiga
El Semanario
A new scandal has erupted over the holdings of the Mexican Electrical Workers, the union that represented workers at Luz y Fuerza del Centro utility before the federal government dissolved the state utility.
El Semanario's weekly magazine, released today, contends that the EMS's value surpasses 6 billion pesos ($470.76 million) and says that it earns money not only from member dues but also from rent from 22 buildings in Mexico City, the state of Mexico, Morelos and Hidalgo, as well as from sports competitions.
The additional income, says the article, might boost the union's holdings to 31.25 billion pesos ($2.44 billion).
The scandal drives to the heart of an ongoing controversy over the wealth and power of unions at a time when there are calls for greater transparency among unions and for sweeping labor reforms.
The revelations have prompted some to predict that this will put an end to the career of Electrical Workers Union President Martin Esparza, who has challenged Luz y Fuerza's dissolution and led a hunger strike among union members.
