|
 Printer-Friendly Version
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-6373 X 164
The Labor Department's National Administrative Office (NAO) has accepted
for review a public submission alleging that Mexico has failed to enforce its
labor laws protecting freedom of association rights. The submission was filed
on October 30 pursuant to the terms of the North American Agreement on Labor
Cooperation (NAALC), often referred to as the NAFTA labor side agreement.
NAO Secretary Irasema Garza said: "We are very concerned about the
seriousness of the allegations contained in this submission and will proceed
with a thorough review of the issues. The filing raises freedom of association
issues similar to previous submissions, and we remain very focused on matters
involving these fundamental worker rights."
The submission arises from events at the Han Young facility in Tijuana,
Mexico, located across the border from San Diego. The submission alleges that
workers at the facility attempted to organize a union to replace the existing
union at the factory. Efforts to have the company recognize the new union
proved unsuccessful. The submitters allege that the company has engaged in a
campaign of intimidation against the union and fired a number of union
supporters.
A union representation election was held on October 6 between the two
competing unions to determine the bargaining unit. The submitters allege that
the new union won the election and that the authorities may attempt to nullify
the results. They are waiting for the local labor tribunal to certify the
results. In the week following the election, the submission alleges that four
active union supporters were fired by the company. The submitters assert that
the company plans to bring in replacement workers and dismiss workers who
support the union. The submitters also assert that the employer's intimidation
tactics are occurring with the knowledge and cooperation of local government
authorities.
The Department is informed that Han Young manufactures chassis
exclusively for Hyundai Precision of America, a subsidiary of the Hyundai
Corporation of Korea.
The submission has been designated Submission No. 9702. It was filed by
three labor rights/human rights organizations and one Mexican union: the
Support Committee for Maquiladora Workers; the International Labor Rights Fund;
the National Association of Democratic Lawyers of Mexico; and the Union of
Metal, Steel, Iron, and Allied Workers (known by its Spanish acronym of
STIMAHCS).
This is the eighth submission against Mexico that has been filed under
the labor side agreement. The NAO has up to 180 days to review the case and
issue a report of its findings.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
| 
