Workers at a Mexico manufacturing plant have taken a step toward unionizing by voting to choose which labor organization should represent them, a move welcomed by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Feb. 28 vote at the Tridonex auto parts facility in Matamoros received praise from DOL Secretary Marty Walsh and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai in a March 1 DOL announcement. The vote proceeded as part of an agreement reached last August between U.S. and Tridonex to address allegations the company was suppressing workers' rights, the announcement states. The agreement includes provisions of oversight by the Mexico government.
“We applaud our colleagues in the government of Mexico for assuring a fair and safe election, one where the voices of the workers could be heard," Walsh. "Yesterday’s vote demonstrates the strength of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s labor provisions."
The August agreement between Tridonex and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative resolved complaints including that Tridonex denied its workers the right to seek collective bargaining. In the resolution, Tridonex agreed to support workers' rights to casting secret votes by allowing election observers, remaining neutral, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for vote interference and to report unlawful activity, the USTR reported.
“Workplace democracy is a cornerstone of the USMCA’s labor provisions," Tai said. "People on both sides of the border win when workers can choose their union representation in a free and fair manner, and without delay."
DOL reports the U.S. government monitored certification of vote results and the government of Mexico will facilitate workers' rights training at Tridonex, monitor future union-related votes at the plant and investigate employee claims of violations.
“The Biden-Harris administration will continue to collaborate with our Mexican counterparts to ensure that all workers can exercise their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining,” Walsh said.
