The United States and Mexico have announced remediation plans to address a denial-of-rights case at a Mexico facility of Spain-based manufacturer Draxton, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced July 31. The action resolves the denial of rights of free association and collective bargaining at Draxton's Irapuato, Mexico facility.
“The government of Mexico has been an outstanding partner and we look forward to continued collaboration in this case," U.S. Ambassador Katherine Tai said in the release. "The United States will closely monitor the plan’s implementation.”
The U.S. sent a request to Mexico May 31 to review the allegations that workers at the Draxton facility were being denied free-association and collective-bargaining rights, the release said. Other accusations included the "retaliatory termination" of a union official; withholding workers' collective bargaining agreement before it was voted on; employer interference union activities; and suppressing workers' efforts to form a new union.
"The United States has invoked the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)’s Facility-Specific Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM) eleven times," USTR said in the release, "and this announcement marks the fifth time the United States and Mexico have agreed on a formal course of remediation under the RRM."
Mexico agreed to the request and determined that workers at the facility were denied their rights to collective bargaining and freedom of association, according to the release.
The course of remediation outlines specific actions to rectify the violations and ways to prevent future violations, the release states. Actions Draxton must take include reinstating the wrongfully terminated union official and paying all back wages and benefits, issuing a public statement of its commitment to workers' rights, distribute a copy of the CBA to all workers, and more, the release reported.
In addition to enforcing the ruling, the Mexican government will also conduct workers' rights training, offer anonymous reporting channels for intimidation or coercion, monitor the facility and initiate sanctions proceedings in cases of violations of Mexican law, the release reported.
The U.S. and Mexico have set a deadline of Oct. 30 to complete the remediation process, according to the release.
"This course of remediation is the result of the commitment of the U.S. and Mexican Governments to workers’ rights," USTR said in the release. "It represents a success for the workers in the facility and for those who courageously act in their defense."
