Mexico and the US settle labor dispute at Unique Fabricating maquiladora

The labor dispute between the Unique Fabricating maquiladora and its Mexican workers “successfully concluded” in the state of Querétaro, in the center of the country, reported this Monday the governments of Mexico and USAafter guaranteeing free union election and the renegotiation of their collective contract.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) had activated on March 6 the rapid response labor mechanism of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC), and had asked the Mexican government to intervene in possible acts of anti-union discrimination and employer interference by the automobile company.

This procedure is the seventh of its kind faced by the Mexican authorities since the T-MEC entered into force, while, at the same time, a labor reform focused on freedom of association and new labor justice centers was promoted.

According to a statement from the Secretariats of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) and Economy (SE) of the Mexican Government, to resolve these accusations, democratic procedures were guaranteed, such as the one that workers express their will, through “of your personal, free, direct and secret vote”.

In these processes, they decided on their compliance with their collective bargaining agreement, the terms negotiated in their comprehensive review, and they chose the union that best represents their interests.

The authorities highlighted the participation of the STPS, the Federal Center for Conciliation and Labor Registration, and the local Labor Court of Querétaro, of which it was presumed, “guaranteed that these processes took place within a framework of legality, freedom and impartiality”.

In addition, it was indicated that the Unique Fabricating company also took proactive actions to maintain the validity of the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, maintaining neutrality and legal standards.

On the part of the Government of the United States, it was detailed that the company also signed an agreement with the new union so that it commits to give free access to its facilities to new and existing labor organizations.

“This matter demonstrates the commitment of both the United States and Mexico to ensure that workers can exercise their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.”, USTR head Katherine Tai said in her official communication.

Meanwhile, US Department of Labor Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Thea Lee appreciated the approach of employing neutrality in the process.

“With this determination, Mexico reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the 2019 labor reform and compliance with the labor commitments established in the T-MEC”, concluded the Mexican government.

Source: EFE