US Department of Labor issues statement on agreement between General Motors and workers in Bogota, Colombia

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today issued the following statement regarding an agreement reached by General Motors Colmotores and its current and former workers:

"The U.S. Department of Labor congratulates General Motors Colmotores and the Association of Injured Workers and Ex-Workers of General Motors Colombia, which is comprised of current and former workers, for reaching an agreement to participate in mediation facilitated by the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The workers of ASOTRECOL also have ended their hunger strike.

"The U.S. Embassy Bogota and the U.S. Department of Labor have been following the GM Colmotores — ASOTRECOL case closely, and actively engaged with both the parties and other stakeholders to come to a resolution. The Labor Department will continue to monitor developments closely but welcomes the stated 'good faith commitment to dialogue and mediation' by both parties as the way forward in peacefully resolving their differences."

Twelve members of ASOTRECOL have been protesting in front of the U.S. Embassy Bogota since Aug. 1, 2011, alleging wrongdoings by GM Colmotores. On Aug. 1, 2012, the group began a hunger strike. This week, representatives from GM headquarters and the United Auto Workers traveled to Colombia to help broker a path forward between the two groups.

• Read this news release en Español.