Background on the Parties Involved
The case revolves around Aludyne Automotive Ciudad de México, S.A. de C.V., an automotive company located in the Iztapalapa district of Mexico City. The controversy began when the United States government filed a labor complaint against Aludyne in April under the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (MLRR) of the USMCA. The complaint alleged that Aludyne violated workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, as claimed by the STIMAHCS (Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Industria Metálica, Acero, Hierro, Conexos y Similares).
Investigation Findings
The Mexican Secretariat of Economy (SE) and the Secretariat of Labor and Social Prevision (STPS) jointly released a statement detailing their investigation into the allegations. They concluded that there was no evidence to support the accusations made by STIMAHCS against Aludyne Automotive.
Aludyne’s Compliance with Labor Laws
The STPS emphasized that Aludyne had been adhering to working hours, shift rotations, and vacation pay as stipulated in the Federal Labor Law and Collective Bargaining Agreement.
STIPS Conciliation Request
Regarding job categories, the STPS mentioned that STIMAHCS had filed a conciliation request with the Federal Center for Labor Mediation and Registration (CFCRL) against Aludyne. In response, the company agreed to correctly assign 10 out of the 19 categories that STIMAHCS had requested.
Actions Taken by Aludyne During Investigation
- Published and disseminated a neutrality commitment letter on labor matters.
- Released guidelines for employee conduct.
- Reinstated a worker who was allegedly dismissed for union activities.
- Signed a commitment letter to negotiate with STIMAHCS regarding time for union activities and proper job categorization.
Resolution of the Case
On June 2, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that a resolution had been reached concerning the labor complaint.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the main parties involved? The case involves Aludyne Automotive, a Mexican automotive company, and STIMAHCS (Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Industria Metálica, Acero, Hierro, Conexos y Similares), the union representing Aludyne’s workers.
- What was the nature of the US labor complaint against Aludyne? The United States accused Aludyne of violating workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, as claimed by STIMAHCS.
- What did the joint investigation by Mexican authorities find? The investigation conducted by the Mexican Secretariat of Economy and the Secretariat of Labor and Social Prevision found no evidence to support STIMAHCS’s accusations against Aludyne.
- What actions did Aludyne take during the investigation? Aludyne published a neutrality commitment letter, released conduct guidelines for employees, reinstated a worker allegedly dismissed for union activities, and signed a commitment letter to negotiate with STIMAHCS regarding time for union activities and proper job categorization.
- When was the labor complaint resolved? The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced on June 2 that a resolution had been reached concerning the labor complaint.
