Meza (1980–81). Many of the union's leaders were jailed or forced into exile during these years. The FSTMB became a leading force in Bolivian politics once again with the restoration of democracy in 1982. In 1985 the world tin market crashed. The MNR-led government of Víctor Paz Estenssoro conceded to an economic restructuring plan set forward by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. As part of the plan, the government closed or privatized most of the state-controlled tin mines. Between 1985 and 1987, the workforce of the state mining company fell from 30,000 to just 7,000. This devastated the membership of the FSTMB. Many retired mining workers remained active in political life, including as members of the Mining Pensioners' Association (Asociación de Rentistas Mineras). Despite its setbacks, the FSTMB remained active in the labor movement and politics. The union was at the forefront of the movement against water privatization in 2000, and has campaigned for nationalization of Bolivia's natural gas reserves. The FSTMB was also involved in the protests that brought the resignations of President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada in 2003 and President Carlos Mesa in June 2005. They have also pressured the government to re-nationalize the country's mines. The current Executive Secretary of the FSTMB is Miguel Zubieta Miranda, who previously led the union's local in Huanuni. Further reading Herbert Klein, A Concise History of Bolivia (Cambridge University Press, 2003). June Nash, I Spent My Life in the Mines: The Story of Juan Rojas, Bolivian Tin Miner (Columbia University Press, 1992). External links Unofficial website (in Spanish) Interview with Miguel Zubieta Miranda (in Spanish) Bolivian miners reject foreign investors (BBC News, 2002) Trade unions in Bolivia 1944 establishments in Bolivia Mining trade unions Trade unions established in 1944