Julie Su Acting United States Secretary of Labor | Official Website
The Department of Labor and the Office of the Trade Representative announced today the successful resolution of a U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Rapid Response Labor Mechanism matter at Minera Tizapa in Zacazonapan.
On March 4, 2024, the National Union of Mining, Metal, Steel and Allied Workers of the Mexican Republic filed a petition alleging that Industrias Peñoles S.A.B. de C.V. violated workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights at Minera Tizapa. The petition claimed that union leaders and supporters were dismissed for participating in union activities and that bonus payments were withheld from union supporters.
In response to its finding that a denial of workers’ rights occurred, the U.S. government requested that the Mexican government review the petition by Los Mineros. The review led to an agreement between the Mexican government and Minera Tizapa’s operators to address the concerns through several measures:
- Reinstating 11 workers dismissed allegedly for engaging in protected union activity with more than $60,000 in back wages for seven workers.
- Paying $140,400 in bonuses previously denied to 249 workers affiliated with Los Mineros.
- Paying dues to Los Mineros that the employer had failed to collect.
- Issuing an employer neutrality statement and providing guidelines on freedom of association and collective bargaining.
- Training workers and managers on freedom of association rights and company guidelines.
“The U.S. Department of Labor commends the government of Mexico for its investigation at Minera Tizapa and for promoting company actions in response to anti-union discrimination,” said Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee. “The actions taken set a strong foundation for democratic union representation and more collaborative labor relations.”
“Activating the Rapid Response Mechanism at the Minera Tizapa mine not only allowed eleven unlawfully dismissed workers to get their jobs back but also ensured that they returned to a changed environment free from employer interference and discrimination,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “We commend the government of Mexico and Minera Tizapa for their commitment to swiftly remediating the denials of labor rights that occurred. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to standing up for workers denied their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, and, to date, the Rapid Response Mechanism has benefited nearly 30,000 workers, including those at this mine.”
Co-chaired by the Department of Labor and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, USMCA’s Interagency Labor Committee authorized this RRM petition.
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