Background on the Current State of Trade Unions in Mexico
The 2019 labor reform failed to spark a surge in trade union membership, with only 5 million unionized workers out of over 22 million formal employees. Moreover, more than 100,000 contracts were terminated without workers’ consent, highlighting the need for improved trade union presence and negotiation skills.
Introducing the National School of Trade Union Leadership
In response to these challenges, a group of labor experts has launched the National School of Trade Union Leadership. The school aims to train new leaders, middle management, and supervisors to drive a significant educational revolution within the Mexican trade union movement.
Project Leader Tereso Medina Ramírez
Tereso Medina Ramírez, the project’s head, explained in an interview that the initiative seeks to empower emerging leaders and enhance their negotiation and contract procedures skills. The project originated in Coahuila and is intended to expand nationwide.
Curriculum and Key Features
The school’s curriculum consists of nine modules focusing on techniques for collective bargaining and procedures in collective contracts. These modules are designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to effectively represent workers and negotiate favorable terms.
- Module 1: Introduction to Trade Union Leadership
- Module 2: Understanding Labor Laws and Regulations
- Module 3: Collective Bargaining Strategies
- Module 4: Contract Negotiation Techniques
- Module 5: Conflict Resolution and Mediation
- Module 6: Building Coalitions and Alliances
- Module 7: Labor Organizing and Mobilization
- Module 8: Monitoring and Enforcing Collective Agreements
- Module 9: Advanced Leadership and Advocacy Skills
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Tereso Medina Ramírez? Tereso Medina Ramírez is a labor expert leading the National School of Trade Union Leadership project, which aims to strengthen the Mexican trade union movement.
- What is the purpose of the National School of Trade Union Leadership? The school aims to train new trade union leaders, middle management, and supervisors in essential negotiation skills and labor law knowledge to foster a significant educational revolution within the Mexican trade union movement.
- What topics are covered in the curriculum? The nine-module curriculum covers trade union leadership introduction, labor laws and regulations, collective bargaining strategies, contract negotiation techniques, conflict resolution, building coalitions, labor organizing, monitoring agreements, and advanced leadership skills.
