Sicartsa strike continues after two killed

Sicartsa workers in Mexico continue to strike, following Thursday's bloody incident in which two individuals were killed in a violent attempt to force striking Sicartsa workers from blocking access to the Mexico City steel plant. Dozens were injured when 600 - 800 police raided the mill (reports differ) Thursday armed with teargas in order to end the strike, some injured by trampling, and others by homemade bombs. The two people killed were shot dead by police. Control of the Sicarsta complex was regained for a short period of time, but Mexican newspapers report that workers are again blocking access to the plant and that it is unlikely to reopen any time soon. The motive behind the worker strike, which the Mexican Labor Ministry this week declared illegal, is the union's rejection of the newly elected, government-endorsed union leader. The workers are striking to support former union leader Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, who the government no longer recognizes, as they have accused him of fraudulent business practices. The Villacero SA-owned mine has been virtually paralyzed since workers walked out three weeks ago. Striking miners have also shut down Grupo Mexico's La Caridad copper mine.