Union Grows by 9,000 Members in Three Years
The Hotel and Gastronomy Workers’ Union of the Republic of Mexico (SITIHGA) has expanded its membership from 57,000 to 66,000 members over the past three years, according to union leader Fernando Martínez Gutiérrez. This significant increase also reflects a 12% average salary hike for its members.
Challenges Persist
Despite the growth, Martínez Gutiérrez highlighted ongoing challenges such as a shortage of skilled labor, high employee turnover rates, and the urgent need to adapt to automation and new technologies.
Strategic Alliance Announced
During the 16th Ordinary National Congress of SITIHGA, Martínez Gutiérrez announced a strategic alliance with the Latin American Workforce Training Center (LWTC) to provide continuous training, international labor mobility, and growth opportunities for workers. The collaboration aims to empower workers through education with technical training programs, soft skills development, English language courses, and official certifications.
Importance of the Hospitality Industry
Various speakers emphasized the significance of Mexico’s hospitality and gastronomy industry as an economic driver, contributing 8.6% to the GDP and generating 4.5 million jobs. They also noted the growth in international tourism during the first half of 2025, with 23.4 million visitors, and projected that the tourism sector could reach a record $281 billion in Mexico’s national economy by 2025.
Calls for Worker-Beneficial Initiatives
Delegates urged authorities to support initiatives that benefit workers, such as eliminating taxes on tips and other non-salary compensations (bonuses, vacation pay, holiday bonuses, profit-sharing, grocery vouchers, and overtime). They argued that a fair tax system should protect, not penalize, the efforts of the working class.
Proposed Sindicalismo
A new form of sindicalismo was proposed, one that not only supports labor guarantees in the workplace but also engages in issues relevant to workers and their families, such as healthcare and housing. The focus is on finding solutions and managing support for these critical areas.
Call for Unity and Collaboration
The congress concluded with a call for unity and collaboration between governments, unions, and businesses to ensure fair distribution of wealth and worker well-being. SITIHGA reaffirmed its commitment to a strong, participative, and people-centric unionism.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Hotel and Gastronomy Workers’ Union of the Republic of Mexico (SITIHGA)? SITIHGA is a labor union representing workers in Mexico’s hospitality and gastronomy industry.
- Why is the growth in SITIHGA membership significant? The increase from 57,000 to 66,000 members reflects not only an expansion of the union’s reach but also a 12% average salary hike for its members.
- What challenges does SITIHGA face? The union faces challenges such as a shortage of skilled labor, high employee turnover rates, and the need to adapt to automation and new technologies.
- What is the strategic alliance announced by SITIHGA? SITIHGA has formed a partnership with the Latin American Workforce Training Center (LWTC) to offer continuous training, international labor mobility, and growth opportunities for workers.
- Why is the hospitality industry crucial to Mexico’s economy? The hospitality and gastronomy sector contributes 8.6% to Mexico’s GDP, generates 4.5 million jobs, and is projected to reach a record $281 billion in the national economy by 2025.
- What initiatives are being called for by SITIHGA? SITIHGA is urging authorities to support initiatives that benefit workers, such as eliminating taxes on tips and other non-salary compensations.
- What is the proposed form of sindicalismo by SITIHGA? SITIHGA proposes a new form of unionism that supports labor guarantees and engages in issues relevant to workers and their families, such as healthcare and housing.
- What was the concluding message of the SITIHGA congress? The congress emphasized the need for unity and collaboration between governments, unions, and businesses to ensure fair distribution of wealth and worker well-being.
