The T-MEC obliges Mexico, the US and Canada to collective bargaining with freedom of association and freedom of association for employees of commercial firms in the region. The Mexican government estimates that 80% of the cases are negotiated without including the workers afp_tickers
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–This content was published on May 27, 2022 – 23:00
27 mayo 2022 – 23:00
(AFP)
The American General Motors and the workers of one of its plants in Mexico approved a new collective contract with a salary increase by “free and secret vote”, after a negotiation carried out within the framework of the North American trade agreement, T-MEC.
The agreement with the workers of a new independent union at the Silao plant, Guanajuato (center), includes an 8.5% increase in salary, 2.5% in benefits, as well as punctuality and attendance awards, among other benefits , reported this Friday the Federal Center for Conciliation and Labor Registration of Mexico.
In May 2021, the Office of the United States Trade Representative invoked the USMCA by asking Mexico to investigate alleged labor abuses at the Silao plant.
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Friday that the vote “demonstrates the significant benefits of true collective bargaining,” according to a statement from her office.
“The United States will continue to work with Mexico to protect workers’ rights,” Tai added.
The vote, held on May 25 and 26, was supervised by personnel from the Mexican Ministry of Labor. The new collective contract will come into force in June.
87% of the more than 6,300 workers affiliated with the National Independent Union of Workers of the Automotive Industry (SINTTIA) participated, details the statement from the Federal Conciliation Center.
Of these, “5,458 voted in favor, while 844 voted against, declaring only 19 votes null,” the bulletin concludes.
SINTTIA was created last February, which was hailed as a victory after allegations of intimidation condemned by US congressmen.
The labor chapter of the T-MEC obliges Mexico, the United States and Canada to guarantee authentic collective bargaining, union democracy and freedom of association to the employees of companies that trade in the region.
The Mexican government estimates that about 80% of collective contracts in the country are signed without the approval of employees, which often ensures that wages remain depressed.
In 2019, Mexico enacted a labor reform demanded by US Democratic congressmen to approve the T-MEC, which replaced in 2020 the old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that had been in force since 1994.
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