Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL LABOR AFFAIRS

SECRETARY OF LABOR ACCEPTS MINISTERIAL CONSULTATIONS

Mon., June 26, 1995

For more information call: 202/219- 6373.

Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich has contacted his Mexican counterpart, Secretary Santiago Oñate, and accepted the request for ministerial consultations on a case involving La Conexi¢n Familiar, a subsidiary of Sprint.

A complaint was filed before the Mexican National Administrative Office (NAO) on Feb. 9 alleging that the Sprint subsidiary in San Francisco was closed to avoid union organizing in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.

The Mexican NAO issued a report June 2 on the complaint recommending that Secretary Oñate undertake ministerial consultations with Reich. In his response letter, Reich said the U.S. will continue to cooperate in fulfilling the joint obligations under the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC).

Under the provisions of the NAALC, the labor side agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement, the NAOs may review labor law matters arising in the other signatory countries.

Reich and Onate will develop procedures for the conduct of the ministerial consultations.

A copy of Reich's letter is attached.

The Honorable Santiago Oñate Secretary Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare Ave. Periferico Sur 4271 Edificio "A" 2do NivelCol. Fuentes del Pedregal C.P. 14149 Mexico, D.F.

Dear Secretary Oñate:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter in which you requested that we consult on the matter of Public Communication 9501/NAOMEX, in accordance with Article 22 of the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC). I have read the report prepared by the Mexican NAO and accept your request for ministerial consultations in this case. Please be assured that the United States will continue to cooperate in fulfilling our joint obligations under the NAALC.

I share your view that Mexico and the United States have made significant progress in the implementation of the NAALC. I, too, believe that these joint efforts should be directed toward improving the standard of living of the workers of our countries and look forward to an ongoing cooperative relationship in pursuing our mutual interests.

- Sincerely, Robert B. Reich

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.