Introduction to Sindical Reconfiguration in Mexico
According to the analysis by Reingeniería Laboral de De la Vega & Martínez Rojas, Mexico is undergoing a period of sindical reconfiguration, with increased competition and new forms of union organization. The system now requires unions to demonstrate legitimacy, as highlighted by the report.
Key Findings from the Analysis
Enrique García Conde, head of a multidisciplinary group at De la Vega & Martínez Rojas, explained that they analyzed over 4,000 constancias de representatividad—documents granting legitimacy to unions—issued by the Centro Federal de Conciliación y Registro Laboral (CFCRL) from the first quarter of 2024 to 2025.
García Conde revealed that in 2024, unions submitted nearly 15,000 requests for constancias de representatividad, but only around 10,000 were issued. This indicates that there were approximately 15,000 attempts by unions to enter union-free companies. However, due to non-compliance with legal requirements, only about 10,000 constancias were issued.
Post-2019 Reform Trends
Since the 2019 reform, there have not been as many constancias issued as in 2024, which saw the highest number of requests granted by the authority.
Leading Industries for Union Activity
Industries such as commerce, construction, retail, restaurants, and manufacturing lead the number of constancia requests. These sectors account for a significant portion of employment in Mexico, making them prime targets for union organization.
Geographical Distribution of Union Activity
The states with the highest concentration of constancia requests during the analyzed period are the Ciudad de México, Estado de México, Jalisco, Nuevo León, and Querétaro, accounting for more than 50% of the requests. These states have a high density of businesses, companies, and economic activity, naturally resulting in more union movement.
Recent Developments in 2025
In the first quarter of 2025, there was a slight decrease in constancias de representatividad issued by the Centro Federal de Conciliación y Registro Laboral, compared to the same period in 2024. However, this does not imply that unions are inactive.
Instead, García Conde noted that many unions have chosen alternative routes, such as filing titularity demands. This allows them to compete for a collective labor agreement, unlike constancia requests that aim to enter union-free companies. Titularity demands target entering a company with an already established union inside.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current state of union activity in Mexico? Mexico is experiencing a period of sindical reconfiguration, with increased competition and new union organization forms. The system now requires unions to demonstrate legitimacy.
- How many constancia requests were submitted and issued in 2024? In 2024, unions submitted nearly 15,000 constancia requests but only around 10,000 were issued due to non-compliance with legal requirements.
- Which industries are most active in union organization? Industries like commerce, construction, retail, restaurants, and manufacturing lead union activity due to their significant employment contribution in Mexico.
- Which states have the highest union activity? The Ciudad de México, Estado de México, Jalisco, Nuevo León, and Querétaro states have more than 50% of constancia requests during the analyzed period, owing to their high business density and economic activity.
- What recent developments have been observed in 2025? There has been a slight decrease in constancias de representatividad issued by the CFCRL in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. However, union activity remains robust through alternative methods like titularity demands.
