Background on the Liga Sindical Obrera Mexicana (LSOM)
The Liga Sindical Obrera Mexicana (LSOM) is a prominent labor union in Mexico, representing workers from various companies such as Goodyear, Pirelli, Contitech Mexicana, Teklas Automotive, and Dimex (formerly 3M). The LSOM has been actively advocating for workers’ rights and fair compensation.
Salary Loss Concerns
In a recent press conference, LSOM’s new generation of leaders warned that negotiated salaries in collective work contracts have lost up to 80% of their purchasing power over the past few years. This concern stems from the fact that, despite increases in the minimum wage, companies have not been matching these raises in their contractual negotiations.
Key Figures and Their Statements
Julio César Flores López, a Goodyear worker and General Secretary of the LSOM and the Independent Workers Union of Goodyear in Mexico, emphasized that while the minimum wage has seen increases of up to 20%, it is insufficient to address low salaries across Mexican workers. He stressed the need for salary recovery.
Francisco Retama, LSOM’s national political advisor, echoed this sentiment, stating that just as there was a policy to recover the purchasing power of the minimum wage, which had depreciated for 40 years, the same approach should be taken for contractual salaries.
Historical Context and Current Situation
According to the Secretariat of Labor and Social Security, over these 40 years, contractual salaries have on average depreciated more than 80%. In 1975, workers earned approximately 100 pesos for their contractual work; today, they earn only 14.30 pesos for the same work.
Strengthening the Mecanismo Laboral de Respuesta Rápida (MLRR)
LSOM workers Jesús Ramón Zúñiga Zapata (Contitech), Adriana Barraza Carranza (Dimex), and Juan Manuel Contreras Savalija (current Secretary of Interior of the Goodyear Union) highlighted the importance of strengthening the MLRR in the upcoming T-MEC review. This mechanism has been crucial for recovering not just salaries but also labor rights.
Contreras Savalija mentioned that their current benefits are among the best in the sector, except for General Tire’s. He listed 44 days of holiday pay, a 13% wage increase, and a 120% vacation bonus as examples. They aim to preserve these benefits by advocating for fewer informational burdens on workers, ensuring they have access to contractual and compensation details.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Liga Sindical Obrera Mexicana (LSOM)? The LSOM is a significant labor union in Mexico, representing workers from various companies and advocating for their rights and fair compensation.
- Why are LSOM workers concerned about salary losses? Despite increases in the minimum wage, companies have not matched these raises in their contractual negotiations, causing a significant loss of purchasing power for negotiated salaries.
- What is the Mecanismo Laboral de Respuesta Rápida (MLRR)? The MLRR is a mechanism under the T-MEC agreement that helps ensure workers’ labor rights, including salary recovery.
- Why is the LSOM focusing on strengthening the MLRR? The LSOM believes that a robust MLRR is essential for continuing the recovery of both salaries and labor rights.
- What are the workers’ concerns regarding information access? Workers want fewer informational burdens, ensuring they have access to contractual and compensation details, which are currently only available through the company.
