Background on the Situation
In a recent development, workers at General Motors (GM) in the San Luis Potosí plant have chosen the “Carlos Leone” union as their representative for upcoming contract negotiations. This decision was made through a vote organized by the Centro Federal de Conciliación y Registro Laboral (CFCRL) under Mexico’s 2019 labor reform.
Voting Results
- “Carlos Leone” union received 1,888 votes.
- SINTTIA (Sindicato Independiente Nacional de Trabajadoras y Trabajadores de la Industria Automotriz) obtained 1,115 votes.
- There were 554 invalid or blank votes out of a total eligible workforce of 3,557.
Context and Relevance
The “Carlos Leone” union is a national organization representing workers in the metal-mechanical and automotive parts industries. SINTTIA, on the other hand, is a more recent independent union that emerged following labor reforms. In this case, GM-SLP workers opted to strengthen their representation with the established “Carlos Leone” union.
The Voting Process
The voting process, overseen by the CFCRL and Alfredo Domínguez Marrufo, took place from June 25 to 27. The reform of 2019 aimed to bolster democratic union practices and ensure free association within the labor sector. An extensive team of 25 verifiers, representatives from the Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social (STPS), observers from the Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (CNDH) and the Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE), and 32 representatives from contending unions were present to ensure a fair process.
SINTTIA’s Response
Despite the extensive oversight, SINTTIA claimed that the voting process was marred by “serious irregularities” during the campaign and election day, casting doubt on its fairness and freedom.
Next Steps
Following the vote, SINTTIA’s leader, Alejandra Morales, announced that they would investigate the detected irregularities and inconsistencies. They also plan to await reports from CNDH, INE, and STPS regarding the election process.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the unions involved? The “Carlos Leone” union, a national organization for metal-mechanical and automotive parts industry workers, and SINTTIA, a newer independent union.
- What was the voting outcome? The “Carlos Leone” union received 1,888 votes, while SINTTIA obtained 1,115. There were 554 invalid or blank votes.
- What is the significance of this decision? GM-SLP workers chose a more established union to represent them in upcoming contract negotiations with General Motors.
- What are SINTTIA’s concerns? SINTTIA alleges that the voting process was marked by serious irregularities, though no specific details were provided.
