Introduction to White Unionism and Recent Labor Reform in Mexico
Over the past four years, legitimations have been carried out in Mexico to eliminate “white unionism,” also known as “blanket unionism,” a practice adopted by companies. However, the 2019 labor reform has not stopped its existence; instead, it now operates under different names while maintaining the same practices. This revelation comes from Willebaldo Gómez, a researcher at UNAM and CILAS.
Case Study: The Carlos Leone Union
Gómez presented an investigation into the Carlos Leone union, highlighting that although it’s not the only example, this case has drawn attention due to its operations in specific economic sectors, such as services, industry, transportation, and logistics.
“There is a great controversy regarding the name of this pseudo-union since there is no concrete reference to this individual, a common trait among white unions,” Gómez stated.
Context of the 2019 Labor Reform
The 2019 labor reform in Mexico, driven by commitments from the T-MEC (Mexico-United States-Canada Trade Agreement), aims to eradicate these practices through the legitimation of contracts and new democratic union rules. These measures are designed to ensure that collective agreements genuinely reflect workers’ interests and empower employees.
However, Gómez explained that these “obstacles to labor democracy,” linked to a past of authoritarianism, not only survive but seem to have grown stronger by adapting to legal changes through simulations and corruption of competent authorities.
The Carlos Leone Union Case: Operations and Impact
Gómez detailed how the Carlos Leone union operates, transitioning from an old union to a new name while maintaining the same practices characteristic of white unionism.
“The Carlos Leone union case, with its network of complicities, opacities, and lies, exemplifies and symbolizes the white unionism problem. Often acting as mere control apparatuses rather than genuine labor interest representatives, this negatively impacts the fight for labor rights. It perpetuates inequality and limits effective employee protection,” Gómez explained.
The union in question, according to Willebaldo Gómez, has business structures designed to represent and sell protection to companies. This creates a network of influences, such as the legal representative of the Sindicato 17 de Febrero, where the General Secretary of Carlos Leone also serves as General Secretary and holds leadership positions in multiple unions, sharing portfolios with several members of the same leadership.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is white unionism (sindicalismo blanco)? White unionism refers to a practice where companies adopt unions to control workers, often disregarding genuine labor interests.
- What is the 2019 Mexican labor reform? The 2019 labor reform aims to eliminate white unionism practices by legitimizing contracts and introducing new democratic union rules.
- Why does white unionism persist despite the reform? White unionism adapts to legal changes through simulations and corruption, allowing it to maintain control over workers.
- What is the Carlos Leone union case about? The Carlos Leone union exemplifies white unionism, operating with opaqueness and selling protection to companies while disregarding workers’ genuine interests.
