Socialist Mayor of Chépica Criticized for Attempting to Dismiss Union Leader in Poor Health

Original article: Critican a alcalde socialista de Chépica por querer desvincular a dirigente del Colegio de Profesores que tiene fuero sindical y atraviesa por mal estado de salud

In an open letter to the President of the Socialist Party, the O’Higgins Regional Assembly of the Teachers’ Association condemned a serious situation affecting one of its leaders, who, despite having union protection, is facing a legal move from the Chépica Municipality aimed at his dismissal due to alleged incompatible health issues.

In the letter, the educators requested intervention from the PS chairwoman, Senator Paulina Vodanovic, as the mayor of Chépica, Fabián Soto González (as shown in the photo), is a member of the party.

The teachers’ union stated that «according to Municipal Decree No. 1721 dated July 14, 2026, the municipality expressly acknowledges that Professor Aliaga possesses union protection, in accordance with the Teaching Statute and Labor Code. However, despite this acknowledgment, the Municipality has initiated legal actions to remove this protection and proceed with his dismissal on the grounds of irrecoverable or incompatible health.»

For the teachers, this situation is «particularly serious, as it affects an educator who has faced significant health challenges, substantiated by valid medical licenses, and a union leader whose work is protected by current legislation.»

«For our organization, union protection is an essential guarantee for union freedom and the representation of workers, so any action aimed at removing this protection generates legitimate concern,» they warned.

They further stated that it is «especially painful and contradictory for this decision to come from an administration led by a member of the Socialist Party of Chile. Historically, this party has championed the defense of workers and the union organization, as well as union protection as fundamental pillars of its political action.»

«Pursuing the judicial removal of union protection and subsequently terminating the employment of a sick union leader directly contradicts those principles and the historical tradition the Socialist Party has maintained regarding labor rights,» they highlighted in their open letter.

«The Socialist Party has declared that it draws inspiration from a humanism that places personal dignity and protection for those facing vulnerability at its center. In this case, however, no effort is evident to explore alternatives that would reconcile the worker’s health, the safeguarding of their rights, and the continuity of service, instead prioritizing judicial means to end the employment relationship,» the local educators asserted.

Given these circumstances, the O’Higgins Regional Assembly of the Teachers’ Association stated that such actions «undermine confidence in the exercise of union activity and send a troubling message to education workers, suggesting that union protections may be removed as a preliminary step to dismissing a leader.»

«Therefore, we respectfully request the Socialist Party’s Leadership to intervene with the local authority in Chépica to reconsider this decision and desist from the process of removing union protection and dismissing Professor Cristian Aliaga Arancibia,» they emphasized.

Additionally, they called for «a political and ethical review of this case to ensure that the actions of its authorities are consistent with the historical principles of the Socialist Party regarding labor rights, union freedom, and worker protection.»

Finally, they urged for «the establishment of a dialogue table between the Chépica Municipality and the Teachers’ Association, both locally and regionally, aimed at creating solutions that protect the teacher’s health, their leadership role, and the proper functioning of the educational service.»

«As a union organization, we reiterate our full willingness to engage in dialogue and seek solutions, but also our firm commitment to defending union freedom, the protections of our leaders, and the dignity of education workers,» the letter emphasizes.

The letter concludes by reaffirming the educators’ confidence that «the Socialist Party will act in accordance with its history and principles, helping to reverse a decision we consider deeply detrimental to the teaching staff in Chépica and the credibility of the historical commitment of socialism to defend workers.»

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