The Rapid Response Mechanism – an instrument integrated into the T-MEC – has become a whistleblowing tool unionized workers in Mexico, that although there are eight formal complaints, two more are pending, one of which is with the Government of Canada.

The new complaint, the request for which has already been filed, comes from the workers of Interior industries (INISA 2000) located in Aguascalientes, who argue that the garment manufacturing company refused to negotiate an 8% wage increase, in addition to the fact that there were dismissals of workers who promote union changes.

Benedicto Martín, national leader of the Authentic labor front (former trade union organization) explained that the conflict started when the workers of INISA they sought to change their affiliation from CTM to FAT.

“The company was not used to negotiating a collective agreement and offered a 5% increase; but, in a vote, it was rejected and from there dialogue was sought, however , the company did not want to dialogue, they started threatening and pressuring workers,” commented Martin.

On May 12, the complaint was filed, so that, through this mechanism, a solution to the alleged violation of rights would be sought.

Wait for the countdown in Fraenkische

Meanwhile, of the total number of complaints filed, only one reached the Government of Canada in March and it was the German company Fraenkische Industrial, located in Silao, Guanajuato, promoted by the main Canadian union Unifor and the ‘Independent National Union of Automobile Workers and Laborers (SINTTIA) who have already won the contract from General Motors in Sinalo; but no answer has yet been given on the analysis process that the Canadian government must carry out.

According to the Secretary General of the Independent Union of Automotive Workers (SINTTIA), Alejandra Morales, is working in parallel with the Canadian government and the country’s labor authorities to advance a recount – a voting process that allows workers to choose a union – in order to avoid a major conflict.

“We are waiting for the company to present the register of workers. We present 30%, or about 300; but apparently the numbers don’t match the company and the IMSS records don’t match the number of workers on its staff,” he said.

In this sense, he said that they hope that in the coming weeks the date will be announced for the recount process and with it the freedom of workers to choose their representatives.

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