Background on the Situation
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (T-MEC) includes a Rapid Response Labour Mechanism to ensure that workers’ rights are protected. In this case, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has invoked this mechanism to investigate whether employees of Liber Gennesys Group, S. de R.L. de C.V., a Tijuana-based cross-border transportation services company, are being deprived of their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
The Petition and Allegations
On June 12, 2025, the Transport Workers Union of Supply Chains (SITRABICS) and Rethink Trade, in collaboration with the American Economic Liberties Project, filed a petition with the USTR. This marks the 37th labor practices review petition presented by the US government to Mexico.
The petition alleges that Liber Gennesys Group and its affiliated companies have violated workers’ rights by using intimidation and harassment to discourage employees from supporting SITRABICS, as well as terminating workers for engaging in union activities.
The Inter-Institutional Labour Monitoring and Application Committee’s Decision
The Inter-Institutional Labour Monitoring and Application Committee (ILC), co-chaired by the USTR and the Secretary of Labour, reviewed the petition. The committee found “sufficient credible evidence of a denial of rights that justifies the good faith invocation of enforcement mechanisms.”
USTR’s Request to Mexico
As a result, the USTR formally requested that Mexico review whether Liber Gennesys workers’ labor rights are being infringed upon. Mexico has 10 days to accept the review, and if accepted, will have 45 days from today to complete it.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the T-MEC Rapid Response Labour Mechanism? It’s a provision within the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement designed to ensure workers’ rights are upheld by enabling swift investigations into labor rights violations.
- Who filed the petition against Liber Gennesys Group? The petition was submitted by SITRABICS, the Transport Workers Union of Supply Chains, along with Rethink Trade and the American Economic Liberties Project.
- What are the allegations against Liber Gennesys Group? The petition claims that Liber Gennesys and its affiliated companies have violated workers’ rights through intimidation, harassment, and wrongful termination for engaging in union activities.
- What is the Inter-Institutional Labour Monitoring and Application Committee (ILC)? The ILC is a committee co-chaired by the USTR and the Secretary of Labour, responsible for reviewing labor rights petitions and determining if enforcement mechanisms should be invoked.
- What is the timeline for Mexico’s investigation? Mexico has 10 days to accept the review request, and if accepted, will have 45 days to complete the investigation.
