Liquidation Suspended for Yazaki Factory in Guanajuato, Mexico
After a complaint from Casa Obrera del Bajio, a Mexican labor organization in Guanajuato state, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is asking Mexico to review whether workers at the Grupo Yakazi factory there were denied rights to freedom of association because of irregularities during the workers' vote in March on whether to retain the union that had been representing them.
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The Casa Obrera opposes incumbent unions. The organization said on its website that it wants to "recover and recreate the essence of trade unionism by ... making it known that the unions were corrupted by a group of corrupt gangsters who, together with governments and companies, created a dominated working class," according to an unofficial translation.
Yazaki Group is one of the largest private auto components suppliers, with 285,000 employees worldwide. They make wiring harnesses and other electrical components. The company's North American headquarters, in Michigan, could not be reached for comment Aug. 7.
“Workers’ right to free and fair union democracy votes is critical to the success of Mexico’s labor reform and is a key component of the USMCA labor provisions. Today we ask Mexico to review a situation involving interference in this fundamental right," USTR Katherine Tai said.
“Respect for workers’ right to approve their collective bargaining agreement, freely and without interference, is a critical component of Mexico’s labor reform,” Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee said. “We value our strong partnership with the Mexican government and look forward to resolving this matter jointly to ensure that every worker’s voice is heard, respected, and valued, and so that workers fully understand these votes and their consequences.”
Liquidation of imports from this factory is suspended until the rapid response mechanism investigation is complete, and the U.S. is satisfied with remediation plans.
This is the 12th rapid response mechanism invocation.