News Release
Department of Labor, Office of Trade Representative seek review of alleged labor rights’ denial at Nuevo León, Mexico, industrial parts facility
WASHINGTON – The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement today requested the Mexican government review an allegation that workers’ rights are being denied at the Servicios Industriales González industrial parts manufacturing facility in Nuevo León, Mexico.
The committee’s request for review follows a Feb 29, 2024, petition filed by trade union, Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores del Ramo de Transporte en General, La Construcción y sus Servicios or SNTTYC. The Interagency Labor Committee is co-chaired by the Department of Labor and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Filed under the agreement’s Rapid Response Labor Mechanism, the petition alleges the company interfered systemically with workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Specifically, it claims Servicios Industriales González denied the union access to company facilities and provided a company-supported union preferential treatment. The petition also outlines a pattern of intimidation against SNTTYC’s supporters, including threats, retaliatory actions and dismissals.
After the committee found sufficient and credible evidence supporting the company’s denial of workers’ rights the U.S. government invoke the USMCA’s RRM by submitting a request to review to the Mexican government.
“The right to form and join the union of their choice without fear of reprisals is a bedrock principle of worker’s freedom of association,” said Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the government of Mexico in addressing this matter.”
“Today’s action reflects the United States’ unwavering commitment to ensuring every worker has the right to freely associate with the union of their choice, guaranteeing their voices are heard, and requiring that their rights are protected,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “We look forward to working closely with the Government of Mexico to resolve the issues present in this RRM matter.”
Mexico’s government has 10 days to decide whether to conduct a review and 45 days to investigate the claims and present its findings.
Servicios Industriales González manufactures steel components and operates three integrated plants that employ approximately 500 workers. The company’s goods are part of the production chain of international brands such as John Deere, Caterpillar and Komatzu.
