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General Motors workers in Silao, Mexico have ratified a new collective agreement – the first negotiated by their CILAS/Unifor-backed independent union – that gives them a voice in the workplace for the first time, more money and improved working conditions.
“This is an historic day for autoworkers in Mexico, in Canada and all throughout the world,” Unifor National Secretary Treasurer Lana Payne said in a letter congratulating the Mexican workers on their achievement.
“I am not sure I have ever felt so much hope and pride in global workers’ movement than I do on this day.”
The collective agreement, negotiated by the National Independent Union of Workers of the Automotive Industry (SINTTIA) with the full support of Unifor partner in Mexico, Center for Labor Research and Trade Union Advice (CILAS), was ratified May 25-26 after almost 50 days of negotiations and a year-long fight by the workers to be represented by an independent union. Unifor played a central role in that struggle.
“This is what our work in solidarity on the international stage is all about. We can only achieve true progress if all workers are able to improve their working conditions, instead of allowing a race to the bottom,” said Mohamad Alsadi, Director of the International Department and Social Justice Fund.
Unifor was also front and centre during the renegotiation of NAFTA, which paved the way for stronger labour representation in Mexico. The workers voted last year to be represented by SINTTIA, rejecting a company-backed union.
The new collective agreement includes many improvements, including and 8.5% immediate wage increase, increase productivity and social security bonuses, additional status holidays, implementing new formula to deal with working hours, work schedule and harassment at the workplace.
Combining the salary increase and other economic improvements ads up to an overall increase of 13.8% for the workers, SINTTIA said.
