Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

ILAB Press Release: Labor Department Issues Report On Union Registration In Mexico [06/07/1996]

For more information call: (202) 219-6373 X 164

The Labor Department today released a report including findings of independent Mexican experts that there are irregularities in the application of Mexico's union registration laws. This report follows ministerial consultations on this matter prompted by a complaint about conditions at a Sony subsidiary in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Such consultations are provided for under the labor supplemental agreement to NAFTA.

The report summarizes the findings and results of a workplan adopted under an agreement between U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich and then Mexican Secretary of Labor Santiago Onate.

In making the report public, Secretary Reich said, "The successful completion of the first-ever ministerial consultations gives us a better understanding of Mexican law and practice regarding union registration. I have directed the U.S. NAO to continue to monitor developments on the issues raised in this case."

Secretary Reich directed the U.S. NAO to continue to watch developments in Mexico with respect to findings by Mexico's own independent experts who concluded that there are inconsistencies in interpretation and application of Mexico's union registration laws. These experts recommended that to ensure the impartiality of union registration rulings, decision-making authority should be moved from local boards to the state level. Secretary Reich also directed the NAO to assess the implications of a recent Mexican Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of current union registration laws for public employees . The NAO is to report its findings to the Secretary within l80 days.

Under the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC), each NAFTA signatory established its own National Administrative Office. Among the responsibilities of the NAOs is the review of labor law matters in the other signatory countries. In August 1994, a complaint was filed with the U.S. NAO concerning the operations of Magneticos de Mexico in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. After review of the case, the U.S. NAO recommended in April 1995 that Secretary Reich request ministerial consultations with his Mexican counterpart. The U.S. and Mexico negotiated implementation plans to carry out the consultations. Subsequently, Canada endorsed those plans.

Copies of the report are available upon request by writing to the U.S. NAO, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Room C4327, Washington, DC 20210 or by calling the fax on demand at (202) 273-3454.

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